The world- Aug. 26, 2010

THURSDAY

The last U.S. combat troops staged in Kuwait after pulling out of Iraq Wednesday night, more than seven years after an invasion toppled Iraqi dictator Saddam Hussein. An estimated 50,000 support troops will remain to train Iraqi military and police forces.

A bull leapt out of the arena at a bullring in northern Spain and charged into a crowd of terrified spectators, injuring some 30 people. Most suffered cuts and bruises or shock, but one man was gored in the back and a 10-year-old boy was examined at a hospital in the nearby town of Pamplona after suffering multiple bruises.

Thieves stole a 74.85-ounce gold bar valued at $550,000 from a treasure museum where it went on display after a Florida salvager recovered it from the wreck of a Spanish galleon that lay on the ocean floor for centuries. The museum’s insurer offered a $10,000 reward for its safe return.

FRIDAY

Baseball great Roger Clemens, 48, one of the best pitchers in the sport’s history, was indicted for lying to the U.S. Congress when he denied using anabolic steroids or other performance-enhancing drugs. If convicted, he could face up to 30 years in prison and a $1.5 million fine.

Tiny Tanzanian toads that had been declared extinct only a few years after their discovery have been sent home to replenish stocks after being reared in U.S. zoos in the Bronx and Toledo. Construction of a dam on the Kihansi River reduced by ten times the flow of the waterfall which provided their habitat.

Police on a marijuana raid in Christina Lake, British Columbia, discovered 10 large black bears guarding the crops. Officers realized the animals were docile and the bears sleepily watched as the marijuana was seized.

WEEKEND

Hillandale Farms of Iowa became the second firm to recall eggs because of a salmonella outbreak that sickened hundreds around the nation. Wright County Egg announced a similar recall Wednesday. Combined, the two firms recalled nearly a half-billion eggs from stores in 13 states. Around 2,000 people were reported sick with salmonella in the United States from May to July, almost triple the norm.

Burglars made off with Vincent Van Gogh’s “Poppy Flower” painting from a museum in Egypt. The painting is valued at $55 million. Egypt’s culture minister blamed “incompetent” security staff for the theft after it was realized only seven out of 43 security cameras in the museum were functioning.

MONDAY

Tiger Woods and his Swedish wife, Elin Nordegren, divorced following the torrid sex scandal that engulfed Woods late last year. The couple were at the Bay County Circuit Court in Florida when their marriage was dissolved.

Levi Johnston, 20, the former fiance of Sarah Palin’s teenage daughter Bristol, has filed official papers saying he intends to run for political office in Wasilla, Alaska.

Jimena Navarrete, a 22-year-old model from Mexico, was named Miss Universe in Las Vegas, extending Latin America’s domination of the pageant to three consecutive years.

TUESDAY

Star Wars creator George Lucas has filed a $5 million trademark lawsuit against Jedi Mind Inc, a company marketing a technology that allows users to control computer applications with their minds. The defendant is developing a wireless headset that detects brainwaves and can even make it possible for users to play games or run software applications with thoughts alone.

Scientists report finding a fast-eating species of microbes in the Gulf of Mexico that has devoured the Manhattan-sized plume of oil spewed by BP’s broken Macondo well. The micro-organisms have adapted to the cold deep water and are able to biodegrade hydrocarbons much more quickly than expected, without significantly depleting oxygen.

Actress Lindsay Lohan was released early from a rehabilitation center just 22 days into a court-ordered three-month program. Lohan’s early discharge follows reports that doctors treating her do not believe the 24-year-old suffers from drug or psychiatric problems that were previously diagnosed.

WEDNESDAY

American Airlines’ unionized mechanics have voted against ratifying a provisional pay deal, potentially setting up a labor dispute at the second-largest U.S. airline. The Transport Workers Union said 6,074 mechanics and related members of the union rejected the tentative agreement while 3,371 members voted in favor.

Iran showed off an improved domestically made missile, the latest in a string of announcements about new military hardware it hopes will dissuade enemies from attacking. Tehran started fueling its first nuclear power station on Saturday, stressing its atomic program is peaceful.

Compiled by Gazette staff from a variety of sources.