U.N. reports over 500 rapes in eastern Congo

UNITED NATIONS (AP) — The United Nations reported Tuesday that more than 500 systematic rapes were committed by armed combatants in eastern Congo since late July — more than double the number previously reported — and accepted partial responsibility for not protecting citizens. U.N. Assistant Secretary-General for Peacekeeping Atul Khare told the U.N. Security Council that 260 more rapes occurred in another region of the country, in addition to 242 rapes earlier reported in and around Luvungi, …

Fla. church to go ahead with Sept. 11 Quran burning

GAINESVILLE, Fla. (AP) — A Christian minister said Tuesday that he will go ahead with plans to burn copies of the Quran to protest the Sept. 11 terrorist attacks despite warnings from the top U.S. general in Afghanistan and the White House that doing so would endanger U.S. troops. Pastor Terry Jones of the Dove World Outreach Center said he understands the government’s concerns, but plans to go forward with the burning this Saturday, the ninth anniversary of the attacks. He left the door open to change his mind, however, saying that he is still praying about his decision. FAITH & REASON: ‘Silence is not an option’ …

Summer jobs hit record dry spell

The worst summer on record for young people who wanted a job staggered to an end this Labor Day weekend. Only 47.6% of people ages 16 to 24 had jobs in August, the lowest level since the government began keeping track in 1948, according to the Labor Department. By comparison, 62.8% of that age group was employed in August 2000. POLITICS: In Midwest and beyond, elections focus on jobs KEY RACES: Jobs and the fight for Congress ECONOMY: Double-dip fears ease The ongoing recession hit young people especially hard this summer, sending many back to school with fewer dollars to spend. The unemployment rate averaged a record 18.3% during June, July and August for those younger …

Death toll 45 in Guatemala mudslides

GUATEMALA CITY (AP) — Searchers on Monday pulled five more bodies from a mud-covered highway where back-to-back landslides buried bus passengers and people trying to save them. Yet more mudslides raise Guatemala’s official death toll to 45 after days of torrential rains. Authorities said 25 people are confirmed dead and at least 15 are believed to be still buried beneath the debris in the village of Nahuala, where a first mudslide buried a bus and other vehicles, then a…

NATO asks for more troops for Afghanistan

KABUL, Afghanistan (AP) — The top U.S. and NATO commander in Afghanistan is asking for 2,000 more soldiers to join the 140,000-strong international force here, NATO officials said Monday. It was unclear how many would be Americans. Coalition officials said nearly half will be trainers for the rapidly expanding Afghan security forces and will include troops trained to neutralize roadside bombs that have been responsible for about 60% of the 2,000 allied deaths in the nearly 9-year war. The officials, who spoke on condition of anonymity because they were not supposed…

Pakistan’s flooded farms may also threaten next season’s crops

SHAH JAMAL, Pakistan (AP) — Abid Hussein fears the deep floodwaters that destroyed his cotton crop, rotted his wheat seeds and swept away his farming tools are not done ravaging his life. Just weeks before the wheat planting season is to start, his 1.5-acre farm still lies under 3 feet of water, and he is certain it will not drain in time. “I will not be able to plant,” the 35-year-old father of four said in despair. The floodwaters that already devastated one crop in the fields are threatening the …

Possible talks with Afghan insurgents draw closer

KABUL, Afghanistan (AP) — In a further step toward reconciling with insurgents, President Hamid Karzai said Saturday he will soon name the members of a council tasked with pursuing peace talks with rebels willing to break with al-Qaeda and recognize the government in Kabul. Karzai’s announcement was given added poignancy by comments from the outgoing deputy commander of NATO forces in the country that commanders promised too much when they predicted quick success taking the key Taliban-held town of Marjah last winter. While British Lt. Gen. Nick Parker now sees signs of a turnaround in the turbulent area, he said the military will be more restrained in forecasting success in the future. The …

Many Pakistanis still waiting for flood aid

DAIRA DINPANAH, Pakistan (AP) — Abdul Rehman and his family live under a tree next to a pile of rubble on a newly created island where his house used to be. In the month since his home was destroyed in the raging floodwaters that inundated Pakistan, he has gotten no aid of any kind from the government or private aid groups to help him survive, he said. Frustrated and desperate, he joined a protest with dozens of other villagers that blocked the main road…

Summer jobs hit all-time low for youths

The worst summer on record for young people who wanted a job is staggering to an end this Labor Day weekend. Only 47.6% of people ages 16 to 24 had jobs in August, the lowest level since the government began keeping track in 1948, the Labor Department said Friday. By comparison, 62.8% of that age group was employed in August 2000. The ongoing recession hit young people especially hard this summer, sending many back to school with fewer dollars to spend. The unemployment rate averaged a record 18.3% during June, July and August for those…

Police question scientist in Miami airport scare

MIAMI (AP) — Investigators on Friday released a scientist detained at Miami International Airport after screeners spotted a metal canister in his luggage that looked like a pipe bomb, prompting an evacuation, a senior law enforcement official said. The official told The Associated Press that no charges were filed against the 70-year-old man and he was allowed to continue his trip. The official requested anonymity because he wasn’t authorized to release the information. The scientist’s name and destination were not released. He is an American citizen and was “very cooperative,”…

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