5 more Americans die in Afghanistan

5 more Americans die in Afghanistan

KABUL

Five more American troops were killed in action in Afghanistan on Tuesday, ending the month with a spike in bloodshed that has claimed the lives of 19 U.S. service members in only four days.

The U.S. death toll for August stood at 55 — three-quarters of them in the second half of the month as the Taliban fight back against U.S. pressure in southern and eastern strongholds.

American losses accounted for more than 70 percent of the 76 fatalities suffered by the entire NATO-led force.

Palestinian gunmen kill 4 Israelis in car

JERUSALEM

Palestinian gunmen opened fire Tuesday on an Israeli car in the West Bank and killed four passengers on the eve of a new round of Mideast peace talks in Washington. The Islamic militant group Hamas claimed responsibility.

Assailants firing from a passing car riddled the vehicle with bullets as it traveled near Hebron — a volatile city that has been a flash point of violence in the past. Some 500 ultranationalist Jewish settlers live in heavily fortified enclaves in the city amid more than 100,000 Palestinians.

Doctor gets stuck in chimney, dies

BAKERSFIELD, Calif.

A doctor involved in an “on-again, off-again” relationship apparently tried to force her way into her boyfriend’s home by sliding down the chimney, police said Tuesday. Her decomposing body was found there three days later.

Dr. Jacquelyn Kotarac, 49, first tried to get into the house with a shovel, then climbed a ladder to the roof last Wednesday night, removed the chimney cap and slid feet first down the flue, Bakersfield police Sgt. Mary DeGeare said.

Sen. Murkowski concedes primary

ANCHORAGE, Alaska

U.S. Sen. Lisa Murkowski has conceded her Senate primary race to Joe Miller.

Murkowski made the concession speech Tuesday night, a full week after the primary.

Murkowski trailed Miller, a Fairbanks attorney, by 1,668 votes after last week’s primary.

Election officials began counting absentee and outstanding ballots Tuesday. Murkowski made slight gains but never was able to get Miller’s lead below 1,100 votes.

Miller never has held elected office but enjoyed the backing of former Gov. Sarah Palin and the Tea Party Express.

Associated Press