Questions about the Newsfeatures Digest: Call Christopher Sullivan at 212-621-5435 (domestic stories) or Marcus Eliason at 212-621-1665 (international stories). For photos, call Patrick Sison, 212-621-1900. For graphics, call Jake O'Connell, 212-621-6905. Reruns of stories are available at http://apexchange.com, from the Service Desk at 800-838-4616, or your local AP bureau. This digest is updated daily.
OF SPECIAL NOTE THIS WEEK:
--- AP's Kathy Gannon sums up insights she gained from two weeks spent in the field with the nascent Afghan National Army.
IN THE SHOWCASE:
AFGHANISTAN'S STRUGGLING ARMY
NOOR KHIEL, Afghanistan — Come 2014, when foreign armies leave Afghanistan, this nation's defenses will depend on a force being molded from poorly educated recruits, many of whom complain of feeling under-armed, under-trained and up against an elusive enemy. There are fears the new army will quickly revert to a collection of militias led by warlords. The Taliban, meanwhile, has planted the notion that it's an alien force, like the U.S. and NATO armies that built it. According to one commander, villagers are often surprised to see his soldiers drop to their knees in mid-patrol and recite their Muslim prayers. "Until they see us praying,," he said, "they think that we are like the foreigners — infidels." 1,600 words, moved July 31 for release Sunday, Aug. 5. By Kathy Gannon.
AP Photos by Anja Niedringhaus.
ALSO FOR THE WEEKEND:
RUSSIA-SAVING RUSSIAN BEARS - An AP Photo Package
BUBONITSY, Russia — When Russian hunters roust hibernating bears from their winter dens and shoot them for their pelts and meat, the cubs are left to starve or freeze to death. Those that are rescued may end up at a bear rescue program that returns them to nature by working on the principle of minimal contact with humans. Cubs mustn't get used to human smells, sounds, voices, houses, says biologist Valentin Pazhetnov. "They must avoid people, fear them. This is the only way they can survive in the wild." 300 words, moved Aug. 2 for release Sunday, Aug. 5.
AP Photo Package by Alexander Zemlianichenko.
FOR NEXT WEEK:
BOY SCOUTS-GAYS
NEW YORK — For a physician in Illinois, an attorney in Kentucky, an arts editor in Oregon, their Eagle Scout medals were treasured proof of youthful achievement. Yet each of them — and dozens of other former Eagle Scouts — are parting with their medals out of dismay over the Boy Scouts' recently reaffirmed policy of excluding gays. "I can no longer maintain any connection to an organization which actively promotes such a bigoted and misguided policy," wrote Dr. Robert Wise of Chicago. Despite these protests, however, there's little sign of any new form of outside pressure that might prompt the Boy Scouts to reconsider. Their powerful religious partners seem comfortable with the policy, and even liberal politicians are reluctant to press the issue amid a tense election campaign. 1,200 words, moving Aug. 3 for release Monday, Aug. 6. By National Writer David Crary.
AP Photos NY781-783.
IRAQ-CHRISTIAN RUINS
NAJAF, Iraq — A hundred yards or so from taxiing airliners, the delicately carved remains of an ancient church and other ruins tell a tale of Iraq, ancient and modern. The ruins emerged during work to expand the airport for a surge of pilgrims to Najaf, a city holy to Shiite Muslims. The ruins are a glimpse into Iraq's storied Christian past, and a reminder of the flight from sectarian violence that has sharply reduced the Christian population of today. 900 words, moved Aug. 2 for release Monday, Aug. 6. By Kay Johnson.
AP Photos.
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE:
MARS CURIOSITY
PASADENA, Calif. — This weekend NASA plans to land a new robotic rover on Mars. It's the space agency's most ambitious and expensive Mars mission yet — and it begins with the red planet arrival late Sunday of the smartest interplanetary rover ever built. Also the most athletic. Like an Olympic gymnast, it needs to stick the landing. By Science Writer Alicia Chang.
NOTE: This comprehensive look at the mission moved previously for release anytime and is available in AP Exchange http://www.apexchange.com .
AP Photos.
With:
BC-MARS CURIOSITY-Q&A.
RELIGION TODAY
EAST RUTHERFORD, N.J. — For the past two years, Rabbi Yosef C. Golding has worked toward figuring out one question: How do you turn a football stadium into a synagogue for 90,000 worshippers? The answer, it turns out, requires years of meetings, miles of fabric and millions of pieces of paper. He's in charge of logistics for what organizers are calling the "largest celebration of Jewish learning in the last 2,000 years." More than 90,000 people are expected to gather at MetLife Stadium in New Jersey to celebrate the completion of the reading of the Talmud, the book of Jewish laws and traditions. 1,200 words, moved Aug. 1 for immediate release. Also moved as BC-US--Talmud Celebration. By Katie Zezima.
AP Photos.
AP Audio.
With:
BC-RELIGION BRIEFS.
The AP