Militants block starving Somali refugees from receiving relief
MOGADISHU, Somalia (AP) — In a squalid refugee camp beside Mogadishu’s airport, some 2,000 desperately hungry women and children await help, many of them weak and dying in tents made of sticks and cloth. Missing from the camp, however, are large numbers of Somali men.
The militants of al-Shabab are trying to stop men from joining the tens of thousands of people who are fleeing the parched regions of south-central Somalia that the fighters control.
North Korea predicts future nuclear arms race against the United States
UNITED NATIONS (AP) — North Korea’s U.N. ambassador says U.S. modernization of its nuclear weapons and missile defense systems will eventually spark a new nuclear arms race.
Sin Son Ho told a General Assembly meeting Wednesday on revitalizing the Conference on Disarmament, which North Korea chairs this month, that if “the largest nuclear weapon state” — a reference to the United States — wants to stop the spread of nuclear weapons it should negotiate a treaty to abolish nuclear weapons.
Greece suffers credit downgrade, has high chance for future default
ATHENS, Greece (AP) — Standard and Poor’s agency has cut Greece’s credit rating by 2 notches to CC, with a negative outlook.
The international ratings agency said the proposed restructuring of Greece’s heavy debt load under a new international bailout deal would amount to a selective default.
A Standard and Poor’s statement said the likelihood of a future Greek default will probably remain high.
Police report sailboat overcrowded in fatal California capsize Wednesday
SAN DIEGO (AP) — Police say there were too many people aboard a sailboat that capsized and killed two passengers during an outing in San Diego Bay for people with special needs.
San Diego Harbor Police said Wednesday the 26-foot sailboat tipped in March because of the number of people on board and the condition of the vessel and its equipment.
Prosecutors have reviewed the findings and are not filing criminal charges at this time.
Georgia soldier charged with murder blames actions on forced crash diet
FORT STEWART, Ga. (AP) — Attorneys for an Army Reserve soldier on trial for murder in Georgia say he killed a superior because he was dehydrated and delirious from a crash diet after being ordered to lose weight.
Army Staff Sgt. Rashad Valmont’s fiancee testified that he quit eating and put in extra hours at the gym and sauna after being ordered by a supervisor to shed 3 percent of his body fat quickly. Two days later he walked into a different superior’s office holding a handgun, took aim and shot the man six times.
Saints add 20 undrafted rookies in rush following lockout agreements
METAIRIE (AP) — The Saints say they’ve agreed to terms with 20 undrafted rookie free agents, giving them close to 70 players under contract two days before the first practice of training camp.
The Saints needed to load up on undrafted rookies because they had only 47 players under contract when the lockout ended Monday. Any veteran free agents they sign are not expected to be able to practice until Aug. 4, after the NFL Players Association has recertified as a union and ratified the NFL’s new collective bargaining agreement.
Job growth in Louisiana slowed in June, but overall numbers still good
NEW ORLEANS (AP) — Annual job growth in Louisiana slowed a bit in June, but the state still posted its largest number of private sector jobs since December 2008, the Louisiana Workforce Commission reported Wednesday.
The state had 11,600 more non-farm jobs last month than in June 2010. In May, the state had 15,000 more non-farm jobs than in May 2010. The figures are not adjusted for seasonal factors.
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Nation & World: 7/28/11
By The Associated Press
July 27, 2011