Russia Grants Snowden Asylum For One Year

The Russian government granted a one year asylum to Edward Snowden, on Thursday.

Snowden, a former contractor for the NSA, released details of top secret operations, to the world, in June.

US officials and the Obama administration denounced the decision and hinted at diplomatic repercussions.

Snowden had been hiding out at the Moscow airport, since June 23.

If Russia had not granted the asylum, Snowden could've been extradited to the US and faced trial for his crimes.

40 Killed as Weapons Depot Explodes in Homs

A massive explosion ripped through Homs, Syria, on Thursday.

Rebel forces fired rockets into and over the front lines, inside the city.

One of the rockets struck a weapons depot, causing a massive explosion.

Forty people were killed and over one hundred injured.

Government forces have been making significant gains, in the city, and the attack by rebels is a big sign that they have not given up on the city.

US Army: Specialist Nicholas B. Burley

Specialist Nicholas B. Burley, twenty-two of Red Bluff, California, died on July 30.

He was killed by enemy fire in Pul-E-Alam, Afghanistan.

Burley was assigned to the 6th Squadron, 8th Cavalry Regiment, 4th Infantry Brigade Combat Team, 3rd Infantry Division out of Fort Stewart, Georgia.

12 Soldiers Injured in Lightning Strike at Fort Carson

Twelve soldiers were injured by a lightning strike at Fort Carson, on Wednesday.

Eleven are in stable condition, but one is in critical condition.

According to the base spokesman, the soldiers were moving to shelter, due to lightning in the area, when they were struck.

The base, located by Colorado Springs, is right near the mountains, and storms can develop very quickly.

7 Die From Alcohol Poisoning in Cuba

Seven people have died after drinking tainted alcohol, in Cuba.

Another forty people have been hospitalized and eight of them are in serious condition.

Authorities say that the people had been drinking methyl alcohol, the kind found in antifreeze.

An investigation is underway to determine the source of the poisonous alcohol.

US Army: Sergeant Stephen M. New

Sergeant Stephen M. New, twenty-nine of Bartlett, Tennessee, died on on July 28.

He was wounded during combat in Sarobi District, Kabul Province, Afghanistan.

New was assigned to the 2nd Battalion, 20th Special Forces Group (Airborne) out of Jackson, Mississippi.

Among his completed courses were: One Station Training, US Army Airborne School, Warrior Leader Course, Advanced Leader Course; Survival, Evasion, Resistance, Escape Course; Special Forces Qualification Course.

His decorations include: Bronze Star, Meritorious Service Medal, Purple Heart, Good Conduct Medal, Afghan Campaign Medal, NATO Medal, National Defense Service Medal, Non-Commissioned Officer Professional Development with numeral 2, Global War on Terror Service Medal, Army Service Ribbon, Parachutist Badge, Combat Infantry Badge, Special Forces Tab.

Hit and Run Leaves 3 Injured in Denver

Denver police are looking for a man who is the suspect in a hit and run, on Tuesday afternoon.

Three people waiting at a bust stop were injured when a car crashed into them, near East Colfax Avenue and Josephine Street.

One of them was seriously injured, but they are all expected to recover.

The driver then got out and tried to get away, bystanders attempted to block his path, but he continued to insist on leaving, eventually running away.

Some of the bystanders snapped pictures of the man.

Police described him as black male, five foot nine, wearing a white Tshirt, and blue jeans.

Anyone with information should call the Denver Police Department at 720-913-6010.

4 Injured When Car Strikes Kansas City Day Care

Four people were injured after a car struck a day care in Kansas City, Missouri.

A Range Rover struck the back of a parked Cadillac, pushing the Cadillac through the front of the day care.

The eighty year old driver of the Range Rover and three children were injured.

Two of the children had to be rescued from underneath the Cadillac.

None of their injuries are life threatening.

Authorities are investigating what caused the Range Rover's driver to strike the Cadillac.

DRC M23 Rebels Given 48 Hours by The UN to Disarm

Monusco, the United Nations Organization Stabilization Mission in the Democratic Republic of the Congo, gave rebel forces an ultimatum, on Tuesday.

The M23 rebels have been given forty-eight hours to disarm or face the full might of the Monusco Intervention Brigade.

Just over three thousand UN troops make up the heavily armed brigade.

Not just the rebels are required to disarm.

All citizens in and near the city of Goma must turn in all firearms by 20:00 GMT, on Thursday.

Anyone caught after that time with a gun will be considered a rebel, and a hostile.

Mamnoon Hussain Elected President of Pakistan

Mamnoon Hussain was elected president of Pakistan, on Tuesday.

The mostly ceremonial position is not elected by the people.

Lawmakers the assemblies of the four provinces, the National Assembly, and the Senate vote to fill the position.

Hussain, a businessman, took eighty-eight percent of the votes, beating out a former judge.

He will take office on September 8.