Eight U.S. troops and two members of the Afghan National Security Force were killed yesterday in eastern Afghanistan in a large battle against thousands of militants. The NATO-led forces were attacked as tribal militants surrounded two security outposts. A U.S. official says the country will abandon the base, CNN.
The island of Sumatra in Indonesia has been devastated by massive mudslides after last week’s 7.6 magnitude earthquake killed over 600 people. The mudslides have wiped out an entire valley of villages on the island and officials say more than 200 people are trapped in the mud, Wall Street Journal.
More militants in Nigeria are laying down their guns. Militant commanders Akete Tom and Farah Dagogo and their fighters handed over their weapons yesterday and rebel faction leader Government Tompolo says he will disarm today, shortly before the expiration of the amnesty period that offers pledges of cash and jobs for disarmament. Rebel groups have been fighting the government over oil profits since 2006, BBC News.
A White House official says President Obama will take on overturning the controversial ‘Don’t ask, don’t tell’ policy “at the right time.” The policy prohibits gays and lesbians from openly serving in the military, New York Times.