Republic of Korea

ROK, DPRK set date for talks

The Republic of Korea has accepted a proposal made by the Democratic People's Republic of Korea to hold talks on reopening the Kaesong industrial complex on Aug 14, the ROK Unification Ministry said on Wednesday. "As the North proposed, inter-Korean talks will be held on Aug 14. We hope that the upcoming dialogue will solve the Kaesong complex problem and draw up reasonable measures to normalize the factory park in a constructive way," Unification Ministry spokesman Kim Hyung-seok said.

Kenya

Huge fire closes main airport

A fire engulfed Kenya's main airport on Wednesday forcing the closure of a vital travel and trade gateway to east Africa. Flames from the inferno lit up the early morning sky, and the intense heat repeatedly drove back firefighters. A huge plume of black smoke billowed from the airport buildings, but there were no immediate reports of casualties or injuries.

United States

Bush undergoes heart procedure

Former president George W. Bush successfully underwent a heart procedure in Dallas on Tuesday after doctors discovered a blockage in an artery during his annual physical, Bush spokesman Freddy Ford said. Bush, 67, was expected to be discharged on Wednesday and resume his normal schedule the following day.

Syria

Rebels killed in Damascus

Syrian government forces killed more than 60 rebels on Wednesday in an ambush near Damascus, a blow to opposition fighters confronting a government offensive in the capital, activists said. The state news agency SANA confirmed the ambush near the Damascus suburb of Adra at dawn, saying "dozens" were killed.

AFP-Xinhua-Reuters-AP

(China Daily USA 08/08/2013 page7)