July 4 arrest of former Washington Mayor Marion Barry revives scrutiny of political role

WASHINGTON — For many Washingtonians, it’s yet another episode in the long-running drama of former Mayor Marion Barry: there’s the attractive ex-girlfriend, accusations that he stalked her and a matter of questionable use of public funds.

US energy chief urges China, developing nations to set 2050 greenhouse gas emissions targets

BEIJING — China and other developing countries should join the United States in setting mid-century targets to cut carbon emissions in the battle against global warming, the U.S. energy secretary said Wednesday.

Boeing eyes $10 bn Indian contract with Super Hornet

ST LOUIS - As the race to supply the Indian Air Force with 126 Multi-Role Combat Aircraft (MRCA) hots up, Boeing, a leading contender, is showcasing the Super Hornet, promising a new generation of air power.

Into Africa: Obama openly embraces continent of ancestors, trumpets Ghana’s success

ACCRA, Ghana — America’s president and Africa’s son, Barack Obama dashed with pride onto the continent of his ancestors Saturday, challenging its people to shed corruption and conflict in favor of peace. Campaigning to all of Africa, he said “Yes you can.”

4 people gored in running of the bulls in Pamplona

PAMPLONA, Spain — At least four people were gored in a dangerous and messy chapter of the running of the bulls in Pamplona.

AI violates safety norms, allows extra passengers on board

NEW DELHI J - In a clear violation of safety norms Air India allowed three extras passengers on board a fully loaded flight.

Police say train hits car near Detroit; all 5 killed in sedan are believed to be teens

CANTON TOWNSHIP, Mich. — An Amtrak passenger train carrying about 170 people struck a car that had skirted a gate at a road crossing near Detroit on Thursday, killing all five people in the sedan, authorities said. The victims were believed to be teens.

Holi with cow dung to appease rain gods

LUCKNOW - It is not about colours, but cow dung and unseasonal Holi. Residents of a village in Uttar Pradesh daub cow dung on one another in this Holi that is believed to appease the rain gods.

PROMISES, PROMISES: Obama’s pledge at G-8 on climate change relies on politics back home

WASHINGTON — President Barack Obama made the world his boldest promise yet Wednesday in the battle to slow the heating of the planet, committing the U.S. to reduce greenhouse gases by 80 percent by mid-century.

US needs Congress to deliver on promise made at G-8 to slash global warming gases

WASHINGTON — President Barack Obama made the world his boldest promise yet Wednesday in the battle to slow the heating of the planet, committing the U.S. to reduce greenhouse gases by 80 percent by mid-century.

Obama administration agrees that industrialized nations should reduce greenhouse gas emissions

L’AQUILA, Italy — The Obama administration says it agrees that industrialized nations should sharply reduce their greenhouse gas emissions over the next four decades.

G8 working on goal of limiting global temperature rise, White House stance unclear

L’AQUILA, Italy — The Group of Eight industrialized economies and other nations were working Wednesday to commit to a goal of keeping the world’s average temperature from rising more than 2 degrees Celsius (3.6 degrees Fahrenheit) in a bid to contain global warming.

G8 Summit 2009 Day-I Roundup

ROME — President Barack Obama joined fellow world leaders Wednesday for three days of intense talks on threats to global security and stability at a G-8 summit where climate change, the continuing global economy crisis and world hunger got top billing.

Big polluting nations head to Italy, hope to break deadlock in climate talks

AMSTERDAM — Developing countries with big polluting industries are joining the world’s wealthiest nations at the G-8 summit this week, trying to unblock troubled climate negotiations just five months before a deadline on limiting global carbon emissions.

Top UN climate official to AP: G-8 should help poor countries now with global warming

AMSTERDAM — Developing countries need money now to grapple with global warming, and the Group of Eight summit this week could energize troubled climate negotiations if it decided to make “significant” funds available, the top U.N. climate official said Monday.

Fireworks blasts kill 4 on NC island and 1 in Pa; 25 hurt in Ind. pedestrian bridge collapse

OCRACOKE, N.C. — Five people working on Independence Day fireworks shows were killed by explosions, four of them by a single blast that rocked this remote village on the Outer Banks.

Like pushing elephants on ice: Air Force pilots relish tricky firefighting missions

SOUTHERN CALIFORNIA

Friday:

SC gov’s wife says she may be able to forgive affair, but true reconciliation will take longer

COLUMBIA, S.C. — South Carolina first lady Jenny Sanford says she may be able to forgive her husband’s much-publicized affair with an Argentine woman, but true reconciliation will take more time.

From open flames in the cabin to smoking engines, third-world air travel can be scary

JOHANNESBURG — First there was smoke, then flames burst out of the aircraft engine. But I was having difficulty communicating with the Mozambican flight attendant who was fussing with warm sodas and soggy sandwiches and did not speak English.

French investigators say speed sensors not cause of Flight 447 crash, plane hit water intact

LE BOURGET, France — Air France Flight 447 slammed into the Atlantic Ocean, intact and belly first, at such a high speed that the 228 people aboard probably had no time to even inflate their life jackets, French investigators said Thursday in their first report into the June 1 accident.

Air India employees to go on strike over non-payment of salaries

NEW DELHI - Employees of India’s flagship carrier Air India have announced they will be on strike for two hours on Friday in protest against the non-payment of salaries.

China opposes US climate proposal to put tariffs on countries that do not cut emissions

BEIJING — China said Thursday it opposed part of a landmark U.S. bill to cut greenhouse gas emissions, saying tariffs should not be imposed on countries that do not cut emissions.

EPA is proposing regulations to cut air pollution from oceangoing tankers and cargo ships

WASHINGTON — The Environmental Protection Agency is proposing tougher rules to reduce air pollution from large oceangoing ships, including oil tankers and cargo vessels.

Brazil officials identify 21 more victims of Air France crash

RIO DE JANEIRO — Brazilian officials say they’ve identified the remains of 21 more people who were aboard an Air France jet when it plunged into the Atlantic Ocean last month.

Don’t fool people by claiming “premature”success in Swat operation : former PAF official

ISLAMABAD - While the Pakistan government has been claiming that the Swat military offensive has been successful and nearing its end, a former Pakistan Air Force (PAF) top official, Air Marshal (retired) Masood Akhter has raised questions over the claims by saying that people shouldn’t be fooled through such statements.

British Special Forces asked to gear up for Mumbai-like attacks

LONDON - Britain must strengthen its elite Special Forces to deal with a Mumbai-style terrorist attack, according to a sweeping independent review of British national security published Tuesday.

French investigators: Search for Flight 447 black boxes continuing even as signals set to fade

PARIS — French investigators say the search for the black boxes of Flight 447 is continuing although they are no longer certain to emit signals.

EPA proposes tougher clean air rule for nitrogen dioxide to help stem respiratory ailments

WASHINGTON — The Obama administration on Monday proposed to strengthen a key air pollution health standard to better protect children and people with respiratory illnesses.

Catty rumors fly at Dior as Paris’ menswear week winds down with shows by Lanvin, Paul Smith

PARIS — The French capital’s spring-summer 2010 menswear displays wound down Sunday with a harder-than-usual silhouette from romantic label Lanvin, a retro rocker at British dandy Paul Smith and a sheer, shorn look at Dior Homme that sparked catty rumors about the possible departure of the luxury house’s designer, Kris Van Assche.

Senate comes under pressure from Obama to follow House’s lead and pass climate change bill

WASHINGTON — Hailing the House, President Barack Obama put pressure on senators Saturday to follow its lead and pass legislation to limit greenhouse gas emissions, helping usher the U.S. into a new age of energy efficiency.