Author: AP

Here’s the latest for Tuesday August 8th: Severe storms strike eastern US; Deadly Russian attack in eastern Ukraine; West African country may lose US assistance after coup; Biden to designate national monument.

A deadline from West Africa’s regional bloc to reinstate the ousted president of Niger has been defied by the ruling military junta that led the coup.

With critical problems plaguing the Amazon rainforest, South American presidents and ministers will converge on the city of Belem, near the mouth of the Amazon River, from Tuesday to discuss how to address them and how to chart a common course forward….

Hundreds of people in Ecuador’s capital took a stance against mining by performing a dance filmed for social media. (Aug. 7) (AP Video/Cesar Olmos)

A firefighting helicopter crashed in Southern California on Sunday while fighting a blaze in Riverside County, emergency officials said. (Aug. 7)

A pro-coup rally was held in Niger’s capital Niamey on the day the deadline passed for Niger’s military junta to reinstate the country’s ousted president. (Aug. 7)

The Philippine military has condemned a Chinese coast guard ship’s use of a water cannon on a Filipino supply boat. (Aug. 7)

High temperatures have sparked wildfires in Spain and Portugal. Around 7,000 hectares have been charred in the worst hit region of Castelo Branco in Portugal, prompting a major firefighting effort. (Aug. 7)

Simone Biles soared in her return to competition following a two-year layoff. The gymnastics star easily won the U.S. Classic, posting a score of 59.100, a full five points ahead of Leanne Wong. Up next: the U.S. Championships in San Jose. (Aug. 6) (AP…

Here’s the latest for Saturday, August 5th: Pope Francis wraps up his Portugal visit; Train derailment in Pakistan sustains heavy casualties; Saturday night shooting in DC leaves three dead; U.S. knocked out of Women’s World Cup after loss against Swed…