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NOVOAZOVSK, Ukraine (AP) — Officials with Ukraine and NATO are leaving no doubt that the Russian military has invaded southeastern Ukraine. A top Ukrainian official says two columns of tanks and military vehicles moved across the border from Russia today, after missiles were fired at a border post. And a NATO official says at least 1,000 Russian troops have poured into Ukraine with sophisticated equipment. Ukraine's president called an emergency meeting of his security council, and urged Ukrainians not to panic -- saying that would only help the enemy.
UNITED NATIONS (AP) — Dozens of U.N. peacekeepers have been detained, and others are trapped, amid fighting in Syria. The U.N. says an armed group detained 43 peacekeepers during a "period of increased fighting" on the Syrian side of the Golan Heights. Officials say another 81 peacekeepers are trapped. The statement doesn't say which armed group is holding the U.N. personnel. Various Syrian rebel groups, including the Nusra front -- with links to al-Qaida -- have been fighting the Syrian military in the area.
KABUL, Afghanistan (AP) — The massive audit of votes in Afghanistan's disputed presidential election won't be done until around September 10th. That announcement today from the U.N. representative in Afghanistan dashes hopes that a new president there would be designated before an upcoming NATO summit. The U.N. has been helping supervise an audit of eight million ballots to see who will succeed President Hamid Karzai.
NEWPORT BEACH, Calif. (AP) — Some beaches in Los Angeles and Ventura Counties are expected to see waves topping 15 feet today. It's the third day of huge waves, dangerous rip currents and potential flooding as the coast feels the ripple effects of Tropical Storm Marie, which is churning off the Mexican coast. A building that was used by lifeguards near Malibu for decades as a home base collapsed in big waves late yesterday, several hours after it was emptied out.
SANTA FE, N.M. (AP) — The city council in Santa Fe, New Mexico, has voted to decriminalize marijuana, making the city the first in the state to make possession of small amounts of pot a civil infraction. The council voted 5-4 last night to make possession of an ounce or less punishable by a fine of no more than $25. Previously, it was a criminal misdemeanor. Activists had submitted enough valid voter signatures to force a public vote on the matter. By approving the matter outright, the council hoped to avoid the costs of a vote and the uncertainty of the question even making the November ballot.
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