Describing conditions in California's overcrowded jails as "woefully and constitutionally inadequate", a federal panel has ordered the Golden State to reduce its prison population of 170,000 by a quarter.
California is facing a possible court order to free 40,000 inmates, now that the deadline has passed for a proposal for reducing the prison population. Governor Schwarzenegger's suggestion was to lower it by 18,000, far below the judge's demands.
In this edition: Is climate change the reason behind the California fires? Arm wrestling over oil pollution in Ecuador, and French president Nicolas Sarkozy’s visits to Brazil.
The US Forest Service has confirmed that the wildfire it has been battling for over a week near Los Angeles was started deliberately. The blaze has claimed two lives, destroyed scores of homes, and burned almost 60,000 hectares.
Firefighters have made progress against the wildfire raging in Los Angeles, the largest in LA County's history. Two people are dead, 64 homes have been destroyed and fire officials worry that shifting winds could drive the blaze in new directions.
Firefighters have taken advantage of a turn in the weather to launch a fight back against the wildfires devastating the region. Despite this change for the better, officials warned that it was too early to believe that they had the upper hand.
Our daily round-up of the Web takes you to Taiwan, where the Dalai Lama has landed on a controversial trip to comfort the victims of Typhoon Morakot. Also in today's show: bloggers react to the wildfires that are threatening Los Angeles.
The six-day-old wildfire burning out of control in the forestland around Los Angeles has doubled in size, forcing 10,000 residents to leave their homes. Authorities estimate the blaze will not be brought under control until September 15.
The five-day-old wildfire burning out of control in the Los Angeles foothills and forest has doubled in size, forcing 10,000 residents to leave their homes. Two firefighters were reported dead.
