Ukrainian takes over as head of insurgency
DONETSK, Ukraine – A Ukrainian has replaced a Russian at the helm of the insurgency in eastern Ukraine and declared that he wants “only moral support” from Moscow, as the Kremlin apparently tries to rebut Western claims that it is calling the shots among the rebels.
Many in the rebel ranks decry what they call Russia’s betrayal of their cause, but most vow to keep on fighting even as Ukrainian government troops close in on the main rebel stronghold, the eastern city of Donetsk.
Alexander Zakharchenko, a native of mostly Russian-speaking eastern Ukraine, took over late Thursday as prime minister of the self-proclaimed Donetsk People’s Republic, which has declared independence from the central government in Kiev.
WHO seeks aid to fight Ebola outbreak in Africa
LONDON – The World Health Organization urged nations worldwide to donate money and resources to stop the spread of Ebola as it declared the outbreak in West Africa to be an international health emergency.
The latest Ebola outbreak is the largest and longest ever recorded for the disease, which has a death rate of about 50 percent and has so far killed at least 961 people, according to the U.N. health agency. It emerged in Guinea in March and has since spread to Sierra Leone, Liberia and Nigeria.
“Countries affected to date simply do not have the capacity to manage an outbreak of this size and complexity on their own,” WHO chief Dr. Margaret Chan told a news conference Friday in Geneva. “I urge the international community to provide this support on the most urgent basis possible.”
Washington collects $1 million in pot taxes
SEATTLE – During the first month of legal marijuana sales in Washington state, stores sold just under $3.8 million, which is expected to bring in more than $1 million in state taxes, the state reported Friday.
Although licenses have been issued for about 40 stores, only 18 were selling pot in July, and 16 of them have reported sales so far in August.
“It’s off to a healthy start, considering that the system isn’t fully up and running yet,” said Brian Smith, a spokesman for the Washington Liquor Control Board.
During the first month of retail marijuana sales in Colorado, the state collected closer to $2 million in excise and sales taxes.
Ryan: GOP must show they have new ideas
CHICAGO – Republican congressman Paul Ryan is telling the party’s most active members that criticism of President Barack Obama alone is insufficient to sustain a GOP comeback in this year’s elections and in 2016.
Ryan told the Republican National Committee at a downtown Chicago hotel that the nation is in a “trajectory-making moment” that will determine its character for at least a generation.
The Wisconsin congressman says Republicans must expand in under-represented voting groups. He also says that the party must show results, and cites immigration as an example.
Ryan says Republicans need to show they have better ideas and real solutions.
Associated Press
