Sign up to receive our daily news summary via e-mail »
Afghanistan. U.S. launches major Afghan assault “Thousands of marines seek to wrest Helmand stronghold from Taliban." Marines launch major operation in Afghanistan “Thousands of U.S. Marines descended upon the volatile Helmand River valley in helicopters and armored convoys early this morning, mounting an operation that represents the first large-scale test of the US military’s new counterinsurgency strategy in Afghanistan.” American soldier believed captured in Afghanistan “Reporting from Kabul, Afghanistan, and Istanbul, Turkey -- An American soldier is believed to have been captured by insurgents in eastern Afghanistan, the U.S. military said today.”
U.N. Atomic Watchdog. U.N. elects new atomic watchdog chief “Japan's Yukiya Amano to take over as IAEA director-general from El Baradei in November.” Japanese Diplomat Elected U.N. Nuclear Chief "The Japanese diplomat Yukiya Amano was elected the International Atomic Energy Agency's next director-general on Thursday."
Pakistan. Suicide blast hits Pakistani city “One killed as bomber targets bus carrying workers of nuclear facility in Rawalpindi.” At Least One Killed in Rawalpindi Suicide Bombing "A suicide bomber riding a motorbike rammed into a government bus in Rawalpindi, police officials said, killing at least one person and injuring 28 others."
Air France. Air France jet 'broke on impact' “French investigators believe the Air France plane that crashed in the Atlantic broke up on contact with water, not in mid-air.” Air crash survivor back in France “The 12-year-old survivor of the Yemenia air crash returns to Paris as the search for debris goes on.” Sole known survivor of plane crash, 14, flies to Paris “Despite a fractured collarbone, a teenage girl clung to the wreckage of a plane for more than 13 hours before rescuers found her floating in the Indian Ocean, authorities said.”
U.S.-Russia. U.S. urges Russian break from past “President Obama warns Moscow ahead of a visit that 'Cold War approaches' to relations with the U.S. belong in the past.”
DR Congo. DR Congo troops accused of rapes “U.N.-backed government troops carry out more rapes in DR Congo than rebel groups, rights activists say.” U.N. chief 'distressed' by DR Congo rapes "U.N. chief Ban Ki-moon said he was 'deeply distressed' by the rape and assault of some 20 female inmates during a breakout."
North Korea. N Korea fires short-range missiles “North Korea test fires four short-range missiles off its eastern coast, South Korea's defense ministry says.” North Korea fires fourth short-range missile: report "North Korean soldiers walk along the North Korean/ Chinese border near the North Korean town of Sinuiju, opposite the Chinese city of Dandong, July 2, 2009." North Korea test fires missiles "North Korea test-fired four short-range missiles today, further stoking tension in the region that was already high due to Pyongyang's nuclear test"
Hong Kong. Hong Kong worry “Disquiet ahead of annual pro-democracy march.” HK police break up overnight anti-government protest "A group of around 130 Hong Kong protesters were forcefully removed from the city's government headquarters early on Thursday." Protests as HK marks 12 years "Tens of thousands of people took to the streets in Hong Kong on Wednesday to push for democratic rights, amid a slumping economy."
Saddam Hussein Interview Tapes. Saddam interview tapes released “U.S. investigators publish accounts of interviews with Saddam Hussein, giving a wealth of detail about the Iraqi leader.”
Iran. Iran 'lifts block on SMS texting' “Reports from Iran say SMS text messaging services have been unblocked for the first time since disputed presidential elections.” Iran's top leader digs in heels on election "Iran's supreme leader vowed Wednesday that he would neither reconsider vote results nor bow to public pressure."
Syria. Syria amends honor killing law “Syria's president scraps a law limiting sentences for men who kill their female relatives in the name of family honor.”
Got something to say about what you're reading? We value your feedback!