Alaskan weather forecasters replaced by computers

Two outpost offices of the National Weather Service in Alaska are finally ending what has been a bygone practice for most of the United States for almost two decades - using real human voices in radio forecast broadcasts.

Africa surpasses Asia in smuggled ivory seizures

Several African countries have made great strides in clamping down on ivory smuggling, with large seizures for the first time exceeding those made in prime destination Asia, UN wildlife regulator CITES said Friday.

Police nab brother of fugitive ferry owner in S. Korea

Businessman still wanted on charges of embezzlement and tax evasion

Thailand expects interim govt no later than September'

Thailand's military authorities leader said on Friday that an interim government will be formed in September at the latest, offering the most specific timeline yet on a possible transfer of power after last month's coup.

Iraqi rebels seize two more towns

Obama threatens airstrikes as Sunni insurgents head south toward capital

Bergdahl back in the US

Bowe Bergdahl, the US army sergeant who has been recovering in Germany after five years as a Taliban captive, returned to the United States early Friday to continue his medical treatment.

Ukrainian troops hit separatists in southern port

Ukraine's interior minister said government troops have attacked militia forces in the southern port of Mariupol.

IN BRIEF (Page 8)

Protocol targets sex violence in conflict

Victims reluctant to talk about crimes due to lack of resources, corruption

World Cup visitors get help from translation program

Say you're one of the 600,000 foreigners expected to attend the World Cup in Brazil, where hardly anyone speaks a language besides Portuguese, and you find yourself in the hospital and unable to communicate with the doctor. What do you do?

Mormon women's group founder faces excommunication

Two months after Mormon Kate Kelly led hundreds in a demonstration to shed light on gender inequality in the religion, the founder of a prominent Mormon wom-en's group is facing excom-munication.

Activists applaud Singapore casino for removing shark fin from menu

The US-owned Marina Bay Sands casino in Singapore has announced it will stop serving shark fin at its restaurants, the latest boycott of the contentious delicacy welcomed on Thursday by animal rights activists.