July is deadliest month for U.S. in Afghan war

Six U.S. service members were killed in Afghanistan, bringing the toll for July to at least 66 and making it the deadliest month for American forces in the nearly 9-year-war. [Links] [Related]

Afghans riot near U.S. Embassy, burn SUVs

Police fired weapons into the air Friday to disperse a crowd of angry Afghans who shouted "Death to America" after an SUV was involved in a traffic accident that killed four Afghans, an official said.

Taliban hinder NATO push to build government

This strategic valley on the outskirts of Kandahar is on its third government boss in eight months. The first quit out of fear and frustration. The Taliban assassinated the second.

Poisoning scare hits U.S. Embassy in Paris

Two employees of the U.S. Embassy in Paris were being given medical tests Friday after handling a suspicious package and reporting feeling "unwell," officials said.

25 dead as forest fires rage across Russia

Forest fires raged across Russia on Friday, destroying villages, surrounding one southern city and killing at least 25 people, including three firefighters. Prime Minister Vladimir Putin consoled survivors at one smoldering village and urged officials to redouble their efforts against the blazes.

Troops kill senior 'capo' of mighty Mexico cartel

Soldiers have killed a top leader of the Sinaloa cartel, dealing the biggest blow yet to Mexico's most powerful drug gang since  a military offensive against organized crime began in 2006.

US Consulate in Ciudad Juarez closes for security

The U.S. closed its consulate in the Mexican border city of Ciudad Juarez on Thursday pending a security review, an unexpected decision that comes months after drug gangs killed three people tied to the consulate.

Swedish ex-police chief convicted of sex crimes

A former Swedish police chief known for his lectures on gender equality and sexual harassment was convicted on Friday of rape and other sex crimes and sent to prison.

Bangladesh garment workers riot over new wages

Thousands of Bangladeshi garment workers took to the streets, burning cars and blocking traffic, police said, in a protest against the minimum wage rate, police said.

Death toll climbs to 313 in Pakistan flood

The death toll in three days of flooding in Pakistan continues to rise, as rescue workers in the impoverished nation struggle to reach residents trapped in far-flung villages.

Gates: Leak probe may go beyond military

A criminal probe into the leak of secret Afghanistan war logs could go beyond the military, Pentagon officials said. [Links] [Related]

5 soldiers killed in land mine attack in India

Separatist rebels triggered a land mine Friday that killed at least five paramilitary soldiers and wounded 41 others in India's remote northeastern state of Assam, where a deadly separatist insurgency has long raged.

Gruesome charges detailed against suspected Nazi

The world's third most wanted Nazi suspect was involved in the entire process of killing Jews at the Belzec death camp: from taking victims from trains to pushing them into gas chambers, a German court says.

My first and last bullfights: Artistry, courage, slaughter

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Google: China blockage report likely just a glitch

Google says its search engine and several other services are working normally in mainland China after previously reporting the service had been completely blocked. [Links] [Related]

Poll: Pakistanis have negative view of U.S.

Despite billions in aid from Washington and a shared threat from extremists, Pakistanis have an overwhelmingly negative view of the United States, according to results of a Pew Research Center poll.