RANCHI - The Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) has filed an FIR against former Jharkhand chief minister Madhu Koda and five ex-ministers in a disproportionate assets scam, an official said.

UNITED NATIONS - The Food and Agricultural Organisation (FAO) has created a new system that will use satellites to monitor devastating fires around the world.

FAA: 3 people believed dead in twin-engine plane crash in eastern Oregon

Everyone now rescued from Alaska glacier where sightseeing party was stranded

ANCHORAGE, Alaska — An Alaska National Guard helicopter was able to land Wednesday and pick up two sightseers and seven guardsmen — the last of 12 people who had been stranded on an Alaska glacier.

Germany increases aid to Pakistan to $13 mn

UNITED NATIONS - Germany has said it will increase its humanitarian aid to flood-ravaged Pakistan to a total of $13 million for the distribution of food and other items.

Alaska Republican gubernatorial debate postponed following Stevens’ death in plane crash

NTSB arrives at scene of Ted Stevens plane crash, is unable to interview survivors

Newark, NJ, fire destroys 2 houses, damages 5 other buildings; caused being investigated

Under terms with govt, BP victims’ compensation fund may rely on drilling money as collateral

Iowa teen dies after raging floodwaters swept cars off a road, hundreds evacuated

Utah nurse remembers carnage after Japanese tour bus crash that killed 3: ‘Where do I start?’

Last 2 stranded sightseers taken off Alaska glacier, 4 rescuers remain due to bad weather

Texas sues Interior Department over second, ‘unjustified’ offshore drilling moratorium

UN appeals for $460 million for up to 7 million flood victims in Pakistan

UNITED NATIONS — The United Nations appealed for nearly $460 million Wednesday to provide immediate help to millions of victims of the worst floods in Pakistan in living memory and said it will need millions more to help rebuild the devastated country.

Pilot: Waving hand from Alaska plane crash wreckage first sign that there were survivors

US sends Marine ship with 19 helicopters to help flood-ravaged Pakistan

US President Barack Obama welcomes Egyptian President Hosni Mubarak

Gulf crews will need 4 days once bad weather passes through Gulf to finish work on broken well

Tropical weather will cost Gulf crews 4 days

Flooding kills 1 in Iowa, where hundreds evacuated, Iowa State basketball stadium flooded

Flooding kills 1 in Iowa; hundreds evacuated

MSHA seeks ruling requiring Massey to permanently rehire miner who commented on safety issues

MSHA files 2nd complaint over fired Massey miner

Inspectors find no mechanical problems in Utah bus crash that killed 3 Japanese tourists

Utah HP: Tour bus had no mechanical problems

Tropical depression that delayed work on killing oil well dissipates in the Gulf

Tropical depression dissipates in the Gulf

La. marshes where oil-coated birds struggled are already starting to show signs of regrowth

In La., signs of regrowth seen in oiled marshes

Searchers in Iowa recover body of teenage girl swept away by floodwaters east of Des Moines

Searchers find teen’s body in flooded Iowa creek

Firefighters battle 7-building blaze in Newark, NJ, amid stifling heat, low water pressure

7 buildings burn in residential area of Newark, NJ

Ames shuts down water system after main breaks beneath creek; Widespread flooding in Iowa

Ames cuts water supply after main breaks in flood

Teen recalls images from deadly crash as cross-country athletes return to Calif. campus

Teen recalls images from deadly California crash

Firefighters battling 7-building blaze in Newark, NJ, amid stifling heat, low water pressure

Firefighters battling 7-building blaze in NJ

US serial killer suspect attacking dark-skinned victims

WASHINGTON - A white man suspected of killing at least five people since May and attacking more than a dozen others has reportedly singled out people with dark or black skin, according to media reports Wednesday.

First textile job training center opens in Haiti; part of a USAID program

US-backed textile training center opens in Haiti

Allen considers late Sept. exit from oil spill duty as long as well is killed and oil is gone

Oil spill’s top man considering late Sept. exit

Iowa floods leave 1 person missing, force hundreds to evacuate; Iowa State arena swamped

Floods leave 1 missing, swamp Iowa State arena

Grenade explodes in Rwanda’s capital 2 days after presidential election; several wounded

Grenade explodes in Rwanda capital days after vote

Agency reveals cell phone use by Coast Guard crews during collisions, urges policy

Agency urges Coast Guard policy on cell phone use

Mass. congressman asks BP to accept government’s estimate of how much oil spilled into Gulf

Markey wants BP to accept government oil estimate

15 people injured when miniature amusement park train tips over at Colorado’s Tiny Town

15 injured in Colo. amusement park train accident

Seven women hurt in acid attack in Kolkata train

KOLKATA - Seven women sustained burns when some miscreants hurled acid at a ladies compartment of a suburban train here Wednesday night, an official said.

MSHA: No evidence of ‘massive crack’ Massey says may have spewed methane into W.Va. mine

MSHA: No evidence of ‘massive’ crack in W.Va. mine

Delhi Police rewards woman for foiling robbery

NEW DELHI - A reward of Rs.50,000 was announced Wednesday by Delhi Police for a 36-year-old woman who helped nab two men who tried to rob her house in east Delhi.

Cargo containers that fell after ships collided fished out of sea near Indian port

Cargo containers fished out of sea near India port

Class 10 student commits suicide

NEW DELHI - A Class 10 student of a government school here committed suicide Wednesday by hanging himself from the ceiling fan in his house in south Delhi, police said.

After ships collide, captains on collision course

MUMBAI - After the devastating mid-sea collision of two massive cargo container ships off the Mumbai coast, the captains of both the vessels appeared to be on a collision course and each blamed the other for the accident here Wednesday.

Amit Shah bail plea hearing put off till Aug 17

GANDHINAGAR - The hearing on the bail application of former Gujarat minister of state for home Amit Shah was Wednesday postponed till Aug 17 by a special Central Bureau of Investigation court.

Russian fires threaten to stir and spread radioactive particles left from Chernobyl disaster

Russian fires threaten to stir Chernobyl radiation

Two Chandigarh cops arrested for taking bribe

CHANDIGARH - Two Chandigarh police officers were arrested here Wednesday evening by the anti-corruption branch of the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) for taking bribe from a person for helping him in a case, a CBI official said.

Madhya Pradesh police hunt for 60 explosives-laden trucks

BHOPAL - Madhya Pradesh Police are investigating the mysterious disappearance of at least 60 trucks loaded with explosives between April-June while these were on way to the state from neighbouring Rajasthan, an official said Wednesday.

Hospital: Man badly burned in California van crash that killed 3 shows improvement

Man burned in deadly Calif. van crash improves

As Pakistan struggles with flooding devastation, Taliban could find room to regroup

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Commission begins probe into Sri Lanka ethnic conflict

COLOMBO - A commission began probing the final eight years of Sri Lanka’s ethnic conflict Wednesday amidst skepticism whether it would investigate allegations of war crimes.

UN seeks $459 mn in emergency aid to Pakistan (Lead, Changing dateline)

NEW YORK - The UN said Wednesday Pakistan would need $459 million in emergency assistance to cover needs for the next 90 days for victims of some of the country’s worst floods ever.

Ghaziabad lawyers seek transfer of district judge

GHAZIABAD - The Ghaziabad Bar Association Wednesday demanded the transfer of the district judge in connection with the provident fund (PF) scam.