More people die every single day in India from tuberculosis and diarrhea-related diseases than the total number who have perished worldwide from the H1N1 (swine flu) virus since its initial outbreak. Yet the Indian media’s constant focus on H1N1-related deaths, currently in the low 20s for all of India, has people rushing to purchase face masks in a panic that experts say is unjustified.

With Afghanistan's presidential election to be held on August 20, candidates held campaign rallies across the country. Afghan and foreign troops deployed in areas under Taliban control to provide security against threatened violent interruptions of voting. The al Jazeera network reported that the Afghan government claims to have struck a number of deals with Taliban commanders to ensure voter safety.

A joint U.S.-Afghan military assault began against Dahaneh, a Taliban stronghold in southern Afghanistan's Helmand province on August 12. Associated Press journalists traveling with the forces reported that militants fired small arms, mortars, and rocket-propelled grenades after helicopters dropped the troops over Taliban lines. The forces were supported by British-made Harrier jets, which are used by both the British military and U.S. Marines.