Argentina fires
Fires allegedly set by farmers sent clouds of smoke across Buenos Aires on Thursday, disrupting air and highway travel and choking millions of Argentines. Some 270 square miles have burned in recent days, officials said.
Funeral bombed
A suicide bomber struck the funeral of two Sunni tribesmen who joined forces against Al Qaeda in Iraq, killing at least 50 people Thursday in Abu Mohammed, Iraq, and reinforcing fears that insurgents are hitting back after American-led crackdowns.
Congress blockade
A weeklong blockade of Congress by leftist lawmakers not only is stalling urgent energy reforms but also it’s embarrassing, Mexico’s foreign minister said Thursday. Leaders were forced to withdraw an invitation for Indian President Pratibha Patil to address a joint session of Congress.
Exiles detained
Nepalese police detained more than 500 Tibetan exiles decrying a crackdown in their homeland in a protest near the Chinese Embassy on Thursday in Katmandu, police said.
‘Simpsons’ back
“The Simpsons” has returned to Venezuelan TV — shifting to a nighttime slot after regulators in Caracas ordered it off the air in the morning. A spokeswoman for Televen said Thursday that the series now will be shown at the same time each week.
Malaria treatment
Brazil announced a new malaria treatment Thursday that scientists say offers a potentially cheap and effective way to attack a disease that largely afflicts the world’s poor.
AND FINALLY …
– Cancer patients try untested drugs in Britain – Israel thwarts another infiltration attempt by Gaza gunmen – 2007 Army helicopter crash in Italy blamed on malfunction – Sandstorm blankets Iraqi capital, forcing airport closure – China demands ‘sincere apology’ from CNN over comments – Russia writes off $4.5 billion in Libyan debt
