August 26, 2008 by Tim McDowell.

The U.S. Department of Homeland Security’s Ready Campaign (www.ready.gov) is sponsoring the fifth annual National Preparedness Month (NPM) in September with support from more than 2,700 NPM coalition members, the largest amount to date. NPM coalition members, consisting of national, regional, state, and local organizations, will combine efforts throughout the month of September to encourage all Americans to take steps to prepare for emergencies before they happen.

http://www.dhs.gov/xnews/releases/pr_1219767770497.shtm

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August 26, 2008 by Tim McDowell.

On 26 August 2008 Russian President Dmitry Medvedev recognized both Abkhazia and South Ossetia and ordered the foreign ministry to sign partnership agreements with the two Georgian separatist regions. Various Western governments and international organizations have strongly criticized the move, which increases tensions in the region and with the West. Georgian officials have called the recognition an “unconcealed annexation” of the regions. Meanwhile, the announcement was met with street celebrations in the two regions’ capitals, Sukhumi and Tskhinvali. South Ossetian leadership has also requested that Russia build a military base in the region.

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