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WASHINGTON (AP) — President Barack Obama's promise of military force against the Islamic militants in Iraq has already been fulfilled. The Pentagon says U.S. fighters dropped bombs on the militants today, targeting a piece of artillery that was being used to shell Kurdish forces around the city of Irbil. In announcing the new U.S. airstrikes last night, and the delivery of humanitarian aid to besieged religious minorities in northern Iraq, Obama vowed again not to put U.S. combat troops back on the ground in Iraq.
KABUL, Afghanistan (AP) — There's a breakthrough in Afghanistan, where the two feuding presidential candidates have agreed to resolve their election dispute. They say they'll set an inauguration date before the end of August. But there's still no word on which of them will be inaugurated. Secretary of State John Kerry has been involved in a second day of talks there, aimed at keeping Afghanistan from collapsing into political chaos.
HANOI, Vietnam (AP) — Sen. John McCain says it's time for the United States to ease the ban on selling lethal arms to Vietnam. McCain spoke during a visit to Vietnam, where he once spent more than five years as a prisoner of war. The Arizona Republican told reporters in Hanoi that Vietnam has made progress on human rights. He says the easing of the ban should happen gradually, but he hopes it can begin as early as next month.
HONOLULU (AP) — The storm that has already arrived in Hawaii is weaker than it was -- but the second system that is following close behind is getting stronger, and it's on track to pass north of the islands sometime Sunday morning. Tropical Storm Iselle's eye moved onshore on the Big Island today with winds at 60 miles an hour -- the first tropical storm to hit the state in 22 years. It's expected to drop as much as eight inches of rain.
THE DALLES, Ore. (AP) — Authorities say the wildfire burning in Oregon's Columbia River Gorge about 75 miles east of Portland has destroyed a home, damaged two others and is threatening 740 more. Residents of more than 140 homes have been told to evacuate, and nearly 600 households have been put on alert in the community of Rowena near The Dalles (dalz). The fire now covers five square miles, and a forecast of low humidity and high winds is increasing the danger.
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