NPR 2010-07-04

A United Nations spokesman says at least 220 people are dead in the Democratic Republic of Congo after a fuel tanker 1 overturned and exploded. Another 110 people were injured. The BBC's Tom Fessy reports from Kinshasa.

The number of casualties may rise as local and UN rescue teams are evacuating 2 victims to medical centers. A fuel truck toppled over in the village called Sange about 70 kilometers south of the provincial 3 capital Bukavu. The leaking fuel then caught fire and the truck exploded. Many people died as they had gathered around the truck to collect fuel. Several houses were burnt to ashes in a village home to many Congolese soldiers and their families. The origin of the fire is still unclear.

The BBC's Tom Fessy reporting from Kinshasa.

Workers in the Gulf 4 of Mexico began testing a new skimmer today in their efforts to stop oil from a gushing 5 well that exploded April 20th. Jeff Brady just got back from viewing the vessel 6 from the air.

The Coast Guard there is gonna spend the next two days, just seeing how the ship works, how much oil it can take in. But the admiral, who we're traveling with, says there are some concerns because this oil is not out there and mounts big flake 7. It's actually a little finger in the water.

The owners of the vessel claim it's the largest oil skimmer in the world.

General David Petraeus has made his first public statements after arriving in Kabul to take command of US forces. NPR's Quil Lawrence reports the general encouraged cooperation between the US military and State Department.

General Petraeus flew into Kabul Friday on the same plane as US Ambassador to Afghanistan Karl Eikenberry in an attempt to show that poor relations between the military and the embassy are over. At a Fourth of July celebration at the US Embassy, Petraeus preached teamwork.

"I'm reminded that this is an effort in which we must achieve unity 8 of effort and common purpose. Civilian 9 and military, Afghan and international, we are part of one team with one mission."

Petraeus offered the counterinsurgency strategy being applied 11 by his predecessor 12, but the general arrives in Afghanistan after almost nine years of US military action has failed to neutralize 13 the Taliban insurgency 10. He'll take command in an official handover ceremony on Sunday. Quil Lawrence, NPR News Kabul.

Vice 14 President Joe Biden landed in Baghdad today to visit troops over the Fourth of July holiday. President Obama had a special message for the troops in his weekly address.

"I wish every American a safe and happy Fourth of July. And to all our troops serving in harm's way, I want you to know you have the support of a grateful nation and a proud commander-in-chief."

The president also announced his administration is providing two billion dollars in loan guarantees to two solar companies. Senator Saxby Chambliss of Georgia delivered the Republican address and criticized the Democrats 15 for out-of-control spending.

This is NPR News.

Authorities say they've made an arrest in connection with several attacks against police officers in the California city of Hemet. Since December 31st, there have been seven such attacks with booby traps and arson 16, directed against city law enforcement officials. Most recently, a fire was set Monday at a police evidence storage facility. No one has been injured in any of the attacks. The Press-Enterprise reports detectives have made at least one arrest and planned to announce significant developments in the case later today.

Germany rolled over Argentina in today's quarterfinal of the 2010 Soccer World Cup in South Africa. Vicky O'Hara reports from Johannesburg.

Argentina came to South Africa, looking for revenge. The Argentines lost to Germany on penalties in the last World Cup, also in the quarterfinals. Argentine coach Diego Maradona was quoted as saying that it was the will of God that his team defeat Germany this time around. It was not to be. The German team took control of the match just three minutes in when Thomas Muller scored. The favorite South American team never regained 17 its momentum 18. After that, the Germans were unstoppable. Miroslav Klose and Arne Friedrich added three more points in the second half to send Maradona's team home. The semifinals begin on Tuesday when the Netherlands team takes on Uruguay. For NPR News, I'm Vicky O'Hara in Johannesburg. 

The other quarterfinal match today is underway in Johannesburg between Paraguay and Spain. There's still no score after 78 minutes of play.

And in women's tennis, Serena Williams won the title at Wimbledon today. She beat Vera Zvonareva 6-3, 6-2. This was her fourth single Wimbledon championship

I'm Nora Raum, NPR News in Washington