World News Briefs -- August 4, 2010 (Evening Edition)

Iranian President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad's motorcade in Hamadan. Iran denied media reports that President Ahmadinejad's motorcade was attacked while traveling in the western city of Hamedan. (Stringer/Iran, Reuters / August 4, 2010)

Explosion Near Ahmadinejad Dismissed As Firecracker, But Rumors Fly -- L.A. Times

The Iranian government denies any assassination attempt after a device thrown toward the president's motorcade explodes. The story goes viral on the Internet.

Reporting from Cairo — It was first reported as a grenade, then a bomb and finally a harmless firecracker. But whatever was tossed toward Iranian President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad's motorcade Wednesday, news of the incident went viral across the Internet as his government quickly denied an assassination attempt.

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MIDDLE EAST

Iran claims to have S-300 anti-aircraft missiles.

New Gaza aid flotilla planned before year-end.

Neighboring countries compete for influence in Iraq.

Lebanon general held on suspicion of spying for Israel.

Israel continues uprooting trees on Lebanon border after fatal clash.

Israeli shellfire kills Palestinian militant in the southern Gaza strip.

Iran to reject Brazil offer on stoning case.

ASIA

Devastating Pakistan floods sweep Punjab.

Kashmir protests: Intifada comes to Kashmir.

NKorea threatens to retaliate against SKorea.

War against the Taliban being lost, says Zardari.

First New Zealand soldier dies in Afghanistan.

Political violence rages in Karachi, 12 more killed.

Trash threatens China's Three Gorges dam.

AFRICA

Rwanda on brink of chaos, says opposition leader.

Take stance on Bashir arrest, group tells Africa.

Kenya holds its breath on eve of vote on new constitution.

Obama "heartbroken" by Zimbabwe's decline.

Diplomats won't apologize for Mugabe walkout.

EUROPE

Popular Dutch military can't afford new recruits.

Italy rejects no-confidence motion.

Medvedev sacks officers over Russia fire failures. Russia wildfires 'out of control'.

Is Europe building Big Brother?

UN urges Kosovo, Serbia to resolve outstanding issues.

AMERICAS

Spy scandal hounds Uribe's last days in office.

Mosque plan clears hurdle in New York.

BP says 'static kill' has successfully plugged oil well.

Mexico: 28,000 killed in drug violence since 2006.

Wyclef Jean to run for Haitian presidency: report.

TERRORISM/THE LONG WAR

Al-Qaida-linked group claims tanker attack in Gulf.

Civil rights groups sue Treasury over targeting of terror suspects for killing.

Treasury's Iran blacklist of backers of terror grows.

U.N.-listed 'terror front' group leads flood relief in Pakistan.

Qaeda linked group claims attack on Japan tanker.

FBI highlights similarities between al Qaeda, cartels.

ECONOMY/FINANCE/BUSINESS

U.S. states go deeper into debt.

Saudi Arabia to enact first BlackBerry ban on Friday.

Faltering US recovery trips dollar.

China seeks to widen gold market.

GM, Ford and Chrysler sales all lag estimates.