The Other Side of Life 24/7: U.S. Top News: Northern California fire forces evacuation of some 2,000 homes

Monday, August 20, 2012

U.S. Top News: Northern California fire forces evacuation of some 2,000 homes

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08/20/2012

Reuters Election 2012 Daily round-up of the day's top news from the campaign trail, the White House and all the politics in between

Northern California fire forces evacuation of some 2,000 homes

(Reuters) - A lightning-sparked wildfire roared unchecked on Sunday through tinder-dry grass, brush and timber in north-central California, where an estimated 3,000 people were forced from their homes in several small, rural communities, authorities said.

Sightseeing vessel runs aground in Alaskan bay, 76 rescued

ANCHORAGE, Alaska (Reuters) - Seventy-six people were rescued on Sunday from a sightseeing vessel that ran aground in Alaska's Glacier Bay and began filling with water, the U.S. Coast Guard said.

Insight: At Guantanamo tribunals, don't mention the "T" word

MIAMI/WASHINGTON (Reuters) - CIA agents have written books about it. Former President George W. Bush has explained why he thought it was necessary and legal. Yet the al Qaeda suspects who were subjected to so-called harsh interrogation techniques, and the lawyers charged with defending them at the Guantanamo Bay military tribunals, are not allowed to talk about the treatment they consider torture.

U.S. health panel likely to make HIV tests routine

WASHINGTON (Reuters) - A U.S. health panel may soon make HIV testing as standard a practice as checking cholesterol levels, a move that would fundamentally change how the virus is detected and treated.

Walmart brings layaway back early, tweaks fees, adds items

(Reuters) - Walmart is bringing back layaway a month early, giving U.S. shoppers under economic pressure more time to pay for holiday gifts, and will refund related fees with gift cards once payments are completed.

United flights make emergency returns to Newark, Houston

(Reuters) - A United Airlines flight to Seattle returned safely to Newark, New Jersey, on Sunday after reporting smoke in the cockpit and cabin, the U.S. Federal Aviation Administration said.

U.S. troops' kids early victims of Congress budget inaction

WASHINGTON (Reuters) - Amid all the hand-wringing in the U.S. Congress over January 2 spending cuts that would wallop military and domestic programs, children of American soldiers already are feeling the pinch of a budget mess.

California suspends CO2 market rule on electricity imports

LONDON, Aug 20 (Reuters Point Carbon) - California's air regulator said on Thursday it would delay by 18 months a controversial part of its carbon market rules addressing imported electricity after coming under pressure from a Washington official who warned it threatened to disrupt western U.S. power supply.

U.S. swimmer Nyad making progress on Cuba-to-Florida swim

MIAMI (Reuters) - Long-distance swimmer Diana Nyad battled jellyfish and choppy seas on Sunday during the second day of her attempt to swim the 103 miles from Cuba to the United States.

Deloitte says accountant's suicide unrelated to Standard Chartered

NEW YORK (Reuters) - Deloitte LLP said Sunday that the suicide of a New York accountant was unrelated to work for British bank Standard Chartered Plc.