Estimated read time: 2-3 minutes
This archived news story is available only for your personal, non-commercial use. Information in the story may be outdated or superseded by additional information. Reading or replaying the story in its archived form does not constitute a republication of the story.
KIEV, Ukraine (AP) — The Ukrainian government has launched talks on decentralizing power as part of a European-backed peace plan. But it didn't invite its main foes, the pro-Russia insurgents who have declared independence in the east. Ukraine's acting president says the government is "ready for a dialogue" but will not talk to the separatists who have seized buildings and fought government troops across eastern Ukraine.
SOMA, Turkey (AP) — A violent protest has erupted in the Turkish city where at least 238 coal miners have died after a mine explosion. The fate of some 20 other miners still inside the mine remains unclear. Protesters are directing their anger at the Turkish government, with some of them throwing rocks and calling the prime minister a "murderer" and a "thief."
BAUCHI, Nigeria (AP) — Villagers in northern Nigeria are forming vigilante groups, saying the military isn't doing enough to protect them from Boko Haram (BOH'-koh hah-RAHM'), the Islamic extremist group that's kidnapped more than 270 schoolgirls. A security official and residents say locals have killed and detained scores of people they suspect of planning attacks. Boko Haram is blamed for more than 1,500 deaths this year. Security forces have forced the militants out of urban centers, but haven't been able to dislodge them from forest hideouts and mountain caves.
SAN DIEGO (AP) — Weather conditions in Southern California have calmed enough to allow fire crews to gain ground on a pair of wildfires that forced thousands of residents to leave their homes. Fire officials say a 1,550-acre blaze in the San Diego area is now 25 percent contained, and they hope to increase containment to 50 percent by the end of the day. A 700-acre fire in Santa Barbara County is 5 percent contained. Neither fire has caused any injuries or damage to homes.
WASHINGTON (AP) — In an unprecedented move, defense officials say the Pentagon is trying to transfer convicted national security leaker Chelsea Manning to a civilian prison so she can get treatment for her gender disorder. The private formerly known as Bradley Manning has asked for hormone therapy and wants to live as a woman. Manning was convicted of sending classified documents to anti-secrecy website WikiLeaks.
Copyright © The Associated Press. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed.
