Firefighters are battling raging wildfires across much of the western United States, including California and Idaho. The U.S. Forest Service says a firefighter was killed Sunday when she was crushed by a falling tree while fighting a fire in northern Idaho. In northern California, firefighters have made progress against a wildfire that has consumed several […]
New Round of Wildfires in Western United States
Posted August 14th, 2012 at 8:35 am (UTC-5)
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UN: Battle for Key Somali Port Appears ‘Imminent’
Posted August 14th, 2012 at 8:25 am (UTC-5)
The U.N. humanitarian chief for Somalia says fighting for control of al-Shabab’s largest remaining stronghold appears “imminent.” In a statement Tuesday, U.N. official Mark Bowden said he is “deeply concerned” about reports of civilian casualties in Port Kismayo caused by naval gunfire and airstrikes. He called for all parties to minimize the conflict’s impact on […]
Clash in Northwest Pakistan Kills 30
Posted August 14th, 2012 at 8:20 am (UTC-5)
At least 30 people, mostly militants, have been killed in a clash with security forces in Pakistan’s northwest. Officials say militants ambushed soldiers Tuesday in the Ghaljo area of the Orakzai tribal agency. At least two soldiers were killed and 16 others were wounded in the resulting fighting. The military has been conducting operations against […]
Indian Yoga Guru Ends Anti-Corruption Hunger Strike
Posted August 14th, 2012 at 8:00 am (UTC-5)
A popular Indian yoga guru has ended a six-day hunger strike but vowed to continue his fight against government corruption. Baba Ramdev sipped a glass of juice Tuesday to break his fast as several thousand supporters cheered him in New Delhi. Ramdev criticized Prime Minister Manmohan Singh and the ruling-Congress Party, calling for its downfall […]
S. Korea-Japan Dispute Could Affect U.S. Plans for Asia
Posted August 14th, 2012 at 7:25 am (UTC-5)
Analysts say a worsening territorial dispute between Japan and South Korea could jeopardize U.S. policy in the Asia-Pacific region. The dispute escalated last week, when South Korean President Lee Myung-bak visited a group of uninhabited islands claimed by both countries, prompting Japan to recall its ambassador. It was the first visit by a South Korean […]
Defected PM: Syrian Government Near Collapse
Posted August 14th, 2012 at 7:10 am (UTC-5)
The Syrian prime minister who defected says President Bashar al-Assad’s government is on the verge of economic and moral collapse and controls no more than 30 percent of the country’s territory. Riad Hijab’s comments came Tuesday in his first public appearance since he defected to the opposition earlier this month. Meanwhile, U.S. Secretary of Defense […]
Euro Economy Shrinks in 2nd Quarter
Posted August 14th, 2012 at 6:55 am (UTC-5)
The economy in the debt-crippled eurozone shrank in the second quarter of this year, after showing no growth in the first three months of 2012. Statistics released Tuesday show the gross domestic product in the 17-nation bloc contracted by 0.2 percent compared to the previous quarter. Germany – the eurozone’s strongest economy – grew by […]
Rescue Efforts Continue for Crashed Ugandan Helicopters
Posted August 14th, 2012 at 6:40 am (UTC-5)
Rescuers in central Kenya are continuing efforts to reach two Ugandan military helicopters that crashed on Mount Kenya. Kenyan military officials said Tuesday the wreckage has been spotted by air, but that the fate of the crew on board the helicopters is not known. On Monday, rescuers found a third helicopter that made an emergency […]
Japan, North Korea Officials to Hold Talks
Posted August 14th, 2012 at 6:05 am (UTC-5)
Japan says it will hold government-level talks with North Korea this month for the first time in four years. The Japanese government says the talks will cover various issues between the two nations and will be held in Beijing on August 29. Tuesday’s announcement comes nearly eight months after North Korean leader Kim Jong Un […]
Beijing Denies Creating ASEAN Rifts over South China Sea
Posted August 14th, 2012 at 5:20 am (UTC-5)
China is denying that it is attempting to create discord within the ASEAN regional bloc in an attempt to exert more influence in disputed areas of the energy-rich South China Sea. Some observers says Beijing does not want the 10-member Southeast Asian grouping to unify on the matter because China would rather deal with its […]
