AP - Inferior electrical work by private contractors on U.S. military bases in Iraq is more widespread than the Pentagon has acknowledged, according to a published report.
AFP - Spain's supreme court Thursday overturned the guilty verdicts on four of the 21 people convicted over the Madrid train bombings that killed 191 people in 2004.
AFP - Samir Kantar, Lebanon's longest serving prisoner who was freed by Israel in a swap, said on Thursday he had no regrets over the triple murder three decades ago that put him behind bars.
Reuters - The Pakistan military rejected on
Thursday U.S. media reports that an American air strike which
killed 11 Pakistani soldiers happened because the U.S. military
did not know their post on the Afghan border was there.
Reuters - Iraqis want the U.S. military presence
to end. But when that occurs -- and whether a timetable should
be set for troops to leave -- is something ordinary Iraqis,
security officials and politicians cannot agree on.
Reuters - Thousands attended Israeli
funerals on Thursday for two slain soldiers returned in a
prisoner swap with Hezbollah and their grief contrasted with
Lebanon's joy over guerrillas freed in the deal.
Reuters - U.S.-led coalition troops killed eight
Afghan civilians in an air strike in the western province of
Farah during a Tuesday raid against suspected militants, the
U.S. military said.
Reuters - Senegal's president said on Thursday
George W. Bush told African leaders at one stage the United
States might send troops to Sudan's Darfur if they did not act
to halt what he saw as genocide there.
Reuters - The White House on Thursday
threatened to veto legislation being considered by the U.S.
House of Representatives that would force oil companies to give
up undrilled federal leases and ban the export of crude drilled
in Alaska. -- read full article
Reuters - The first Guantanamo Bay war crimes
trial, involving Osama bin Laden's former driver, can start
next week, a federal judge ruled on Thursday, saying the system
backed by President George W. Bush and Congress can stand.
Reuters - Iran's foreign minister said on
Thursday U.S. participation in nuclear talks was "positive,"
but France said big powers still wanted Tehran to make specific
proposals to resolve a dispute over Iran's nuclear work.
AP - Drugs hit the Tour de France again Thursday, and the third doping bust netted the biggest name yet: Italy's Riccardo Ricco, a winner of two stages.
AP - It's not exactly Tony serenading Maria in "West Side Story," but for all their homeliness toadfish also sing to attract mates. -- read full article
AP - Construction of single-family homes fell in June to the slowest pace in 17 years although a change in New York laws helped give a big boost to apartment building. -- read full article
AP - Just as John F. Kennedy set his sights on the moon, Al Gore is challenging the nation to produce every kilowatt of electricity through wind, sun and other Earth-friendly energy sources within 10 years, an audacious goal he hopes the next president will embrace.
