Independence Day plans hit by US power cuts and heat

Nearly one million people went without power on Independence Day as utilities worked to restore service five days after severe storms hit the eastern US.

Residents without air-conditioning or working refrigerators faced searing heat in the storm's wake.

Some towns cancelled firework displays marking the national holiday, saying police and firefighters could not be spared as repair work continued.

Some customers were expected be without power until the weekend.

However, Washington and Maryland electricity provider Pepco brought some cheer to its stricken customers on Thursday, predicting 90% restoration by the end of the 4 July holiday - two days ahead of its initial estimate.

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Man in Afghan Army Uniform Wounds Five Nato Soldiers

An individual wearing Afghan army uniform shot and wounded five Nato soldiers in eastern Afghanistan on Tuesday, the alliance says.

The five, believed to be American, are receiving medical treatment. The extent of their injuries is not known.

The attack took place at a Nato base in Wardak province, east of Kabul.

It is the latest in a series of so-called "green-on-blue" attacks, where Afghans in the police or army attack international forces.

More than 20 foreign personnel have been killed in rogue shootings in Afghanistan this year.

On Sunday, three British soldiers were shot and killed by an Afghan policeman as they left a checkpoint in Helmand province, in the south.

International forces are gradually handing over responsibility for security to their Afghan counterparts.

Most of the 130,000 Nato-led troops will leave at the end of 2014.

On Tuesday, the US and Pakistan announced that Nato supply routes into Afghanistan would re-open after Washington apologised for killing 24 Pakistani soldiers last November.

The BBC's Kim Ghattas, in Washington, says the US had resisted saying sorry as there is deep anger among Americans about the death of US soldiers in Afghanistan from attacks by militant groups with alleged connections to Pakistan's ISI intelligence agency.

The decision on supply lines will save the US hundreds of millions of dollars in the run-up to withdrawal.

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‘iPhone’ gas cooker seized in China

China is a haven for knockoff products. Chinese Police recently seized 681 “Apple iPhone” branded gas stoves in the city of Wuhan. The seized iPhone burners had forged certificate tag of the Apple (China) Co. Limited. However, Apple never produces cooker. The law enforcement officers discovered as many as 681 fake burners with brands including iPhone and other household names. 

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