Over 100 Arrested in South Africa Protests

Protests in South Africa are increasing and over 100 people have been arrested this week alone. The protesters, mostly in townships, say they are lacking basic services, such as water and housing. President Zuma has pledged to eradicate poverty, but this comes amidst South Africa’s worst recession in almost two decades, BBC News.

A retired soldier killed a woman today at the Fort Lewis Post Exchange before turning the gun on himself. The man, a 59-year-old retired soldier, is in critical condition and it is not known if he knew the woman he killed, USA Today.

The complete opening remarks of President Obama’s news conference on healthcare can be found here (via BNO). The New York Times is also liveblogging the conference here.

July Deadliest Month for U.S. Troops in Afghanistan

U.S. Defense Secretary Robert Gates has announced the country plans to add 22,000 more troops to the army over the next three years. The extra troops will be used for the offensives in Iraq and Afghanistan. Gates is also proposing to end the use of the F-22 by the military, saying the plane is no longer useful, BBC News.

The AP reports that the fight in Iran over last month’s disputed election results is deepening, but between religious leaders instead of street protesters. Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, the country’s supreme leader, had backed the results, but has seen opposition from inside the government, including from cleric Akbar Hashemi Rafsanjani. The cleric’s support “gives the movement new life and an advocate within the clerical power structures,” AP.

Four more U.S. soldiers have died in Afghanistan, making this the deadliest month for troops since the war began in 2001. The troops were killed by a roadside bomb in the eastern part of the country. With 11 days left in the month, over 30 U.S. soldiers have been killed so far in July, AP.

Hot Topic: Harvard University staggers as endowment shrinks.

Roger Federer Wins Record 15th Grand Slam Title

In a match for the ages, Roger Federer beat Andy Roddick at Wimbledon today to win his record 15th Grand Slam title. As there is no tiebreak in the final set at Wimbledon, Federer and Roddick played 30 games in the last set, a record. This is Federer’s sixth Wimbledon title, NBC Sports.

CNN reporters in Honduras say the airport has been closed and air space has been blocked in anticipation for President Zelaya’s return to the country after he was ousted in a military coup last week, CNN.

Alaskan governor Sarah Palin, who will step down on July 26th, is threatening legal action against bloggers and news agencies that have reported, or asked about, allegations that she is in an embezzlement scandal regarding a Wasilla sports complex. In a press release, Palin’s lawyer noted they were considering suing for defamation against a Huffington Post blogger, the New York Times, the Washington Post, and MSNBC, Huffington Post.

Two British soldiers have been killed in Afghanistan. The first was killed by a rocket-propelled grenade and the second was killed in a seperate explosion. Their names have not been released yet, BBC News.

Two British Journalists Expelled From Iran

Three German soldiers have been killed in Afghanistan in a battle with insurgents. The attack happened at the German military base in Kunduz, which has been frequently attacked since German forced entered the country in 2002, BBC News.

Workers in Jerusalem accidentally uncovered a 4,000-year-old tomb from the Canaanite period. The tomb held bones from two human, clay pots, beads, and plates. Archaeologists say the discovery will help shed light on the ancient burial procedures and show how the people lived then, AP.

Two British journalists have been expelled from Iran for “activities inconsistent with their diplomatic status.” In response, Prime Minister Brown will expel two Iranian diplomats from their London embassy, Sky News.

Suicides in U.S. Army Continue to Increase

U.S. Army statistics show that the suicide rate among soldiers is rising at a record pace. 17 soldiers were either confirmed or believed to have committed suicide in the month of May. So far this year, there are 82 suspected/confirmed cases, which will most certainly pass last year’s 133 deaths, the most ever, CNN.

Sudan is allowing four aid agencies back into the country after ousting them from Darfur in March. Care International, Save the Children, Mercy Corps, and Padco will be allowed back in to help, as long as they slightly change their names and use different logos. The move is seen as a good sign for improving relations between aid agencies and the Sudanese government, BBC News.

Football club Real Madrid has paid a record-breaking 80M pounds to Manchester United in a transfer fee for star Cristiano Ronaldo. The fee is by far the highest in history. Man U. accepted the bid, allowing Real to begin talks with Ronaldo about a trade, BBC Sport.

American officials are reporting that they now have evidence that some al-Qaeda fighters are moving into Yemen and Somalia. Reports say leaders are among militants who have moved, and that they are in close contact with al-Qaeda members in Pakistan. The precense of the group especially in Somalia is troubling, as an Islamic militant group, the Shabab, are already threatening to topple the government, New York Times.

10 U.S. Banks to Begin Paying Back Bailout Money

As we reported earlier, 11 people have been killed in a suicide bombing in Peshawar, Pakistan at the Pearl Continental Hotel, a 5-star hotel frequently used by foreigners. Three suicide attackers in possibly two cars gunned down security and then ran their car into the hotel. At least 52 people were wounded, and one person killed was a U.N. worker, BBC News.

10 U.S. banks are now allowed to begin paying back the government the bailout money they accepted to stay afloat. Among the big banks, JPMorgan Chase and Goldman Sachs will help pay back almost $70B dollars. Others banks include American Express, Bank of New York Mellon, the BB&T Corporation, Capital One Financial, the State Street Corporation U.S. Bancorp, and Morgan Stanley, New York Times.

The clinic of Dr. George Tiller, the man shot and killed last week by a pro-life advocate, will be permanently closed, his family says. The clinic, which performed abortions for decades, was often the site of protests, USA Today.

Iraq has freed a man who was charged with the murders of five U.S. soldiers. Rumore have circulated that he was released as an act of good will to militant groups who released a group of British hostages. Laith al-Khazali was accused of helping kill Capt. Brian S. Freeman, 31, of Temecula, California; 1st Lt. Jacob N. Fritz, 25, of Verdon, Nebraska; Spc. Johnathan B. Chism, 22, of Gonzales, Louisiana; Pfc. Shawn P. Falter, 25, of Cortland, New York; and Pfc. Johnathon M. Millican, 20, of Trafford, Alabama, CNN.