US Cold War trade rule stays as Russia joins WTO The Obama administration welcomed Russia's membership in the World Trade Organization, but said US exporters would be disadvantaged unless Congress repeals Russia's Cold War-era trade status.
California declares state of emergency amid fires Authorities declared a state of emergency in northern California, ravaged by fires at a time when several other western US states are also fighting flames.
24 August 2012
Syphilis scare prompts call to halt US porn shoots Reports of several cases of syphilis among porn actors in California has prompted a trade group to call for a temporary halt to shooting in the lucrative US adult film industry.
US man charged for Obama death threat email An armed man who allegedly made a death threat against US President Barack Obama in an expletive-filled email was charged over the incident.