Hurricane Humberto, Tropical Storm Gabrielle expected to weaken

Miami

Both Humberto, gabrielle likely to lose punch

Hurricane Humberto is likely to begin weakening soon far out over the Atlantic. The Category 1 hurricane had maximum sustained winds near 80 mph late Thursday, with weakening forecast in the next two days. Meanwhile, Gabrielle is a tropical storm again but is expected to weaken today as it moves away from Bermuda after drenching the British territory. Its maximum sustained winds were near 40 mph.

Kabul, Afghanistan

Car bomb hits near U.S. consulate

Militants staged a suicide car bombing then engaged in a gunfight with security forces near the American consulate in the western Afghan city of Herat early today, officials said. An Afghan translator who apparently worked at the consulate was killed, while two police and two private Afghan security guards were wounded. The Taliban claimed responsibility. A U.S. Embassy spokesman in Kabul declined to comment. The local police chief, speaking about an hour after the attack started, said the situation had been brought under control.

Beijing

China unveils plan to cut air pollution

The Chinese government announced an ambitious plan Thursday to curb air pollution, including setting limits on coal burning and taking old vehicles off the roads to ensure a drop in the concentration of particulate matter in cities. It's the Communist Party and government's most concrete response to growing criticism for letting China's air, soil and water degrade to abysmal levels.

Brunswick, Ga.

For baby's murder, life without parole

A teen convicted of fatally shooting a baby in a stroller was sentenced Thursday to spend the rest of his life in prison with no chance of parole. De'Marquise Elkins, 18, had been found guilty of murder in the death of 13-month-old Antonio Santiago during the attempted robbery of his mother.

Times wires