In Afghanistan, bombs have killed at least four American soldiers and five Afghan policeman Thursday. The NATO operation in Afghanistan said american soldiers died in the western part of the country. Afghan officials said the policemen were killed in southern Holman province. Afghan officials blamed Taliban militants. The Taliban has increased attacks across the country in an effort to prevent voters from taking part in the August 20^th election.

The Obama Administration is saying former President Bill Clinton’s trip to North Korea was a private humanitarian effort. He says the trip does not represent a change in the American policy towards North Korea. An Administration spokesman says Mr. Clinton’s trip was separate from North Korea’s nuclear policy and actions. He told reporters Thursday that Mr. Clinton spoke with National Security Council members about the visit and the former president is expected to meet with Mr. Obama soon..

Russia and Georgia have accused each other of being the aggressor in their brief war one year ago. The Russian foreign ministry released a statement Thursday one day before the anniversary of the war. The statement said Russian entered Georgia last August to protect the people of South Ossetia  from what he called “a planned criminal attack”. In Georgia, however, officials say their country used military forces only after Russian troops and tanks crossed the Georgian boarder.