Witnesses: Russia moves to Georgian border
TBILISI, Georgia, Aug. 10 (UPI) -- Russian troops advanced through South Ossetia Sunday en route to the Georgian border, witnesses say.
The New York Times said while the Organization on Security and Cooperation in Europe says Georgia is prepared for cease-fire negotiations, Russia appeared to be tightening its military grip in South Ossetia. However, a Russian defense official says his country has no plans cross the border into Georgia.
"We don't intend to take the initiative to escalate the conflict at this time," Col. Gen. Anatoly Nogovitsyn said.
Russian Prime Minister Vladimir Putin said the conflict in South Ossetia has claimed dozens of lives and caused tens of thousands of people to flee the war-torn region.
Human Rights Watch said in a statement Sunday its researchers collected data indicating that a field hospital received 52 wounded -- about 90 percent of them military -- Saturday and Sunday. The hospital anticipated receiving another 170 wounded, the report said.
HRW said Russian official figures indicated more than 24,000 people had crossed the border from South Ossetia into Russia, and 11,190 had returned to South Ossetia. However, officials said the figures are unreliable because so many people had gone back and forth across the border.
Some displaced civilians provided accounts of shelling against residences and said families had been separated by the violence.
The movement of the Russian troops came as Georgia said it had pulled its troops from the South Ossetian capital of Tskhinvali. The troops, which were ordered into the breakaway region Friday by Georgian President Mikheil Saakashvili, were returning to positions they held before Thursday, CNN reported.
U.S. candidates speak to Georgian president
TBILISI, Georgia, Aug. 10 (UPI) -- Both major U.S. presidential candidates say they have spoken to the president of Georgia and are calling for an end to Russian bombing of that country.
Their calls for diplomacy in settling the dispute also led both to emphasize recognition of Georgia's sovereignty, CNN reported Sunday.
"For many years, I have warned against Russian actions that undermine the sovereignty of its neighbors," Sen. John McCain, the likely Republican nominee, said Saturday. "Unfortunately, we have seen in recent days Russia demonstrate that these concerns were well-founded."
"Russia must stop its bombing campaign, cease flights of Russian aircraft in Georgian airspace, and withdraw its ground forces from Georgia," said presumptive Democratic nominee, Sen. Barack Obama.
He condemned "the violation of Georgia's sovereignty" and called for "an immediate cease-fire."
Michelle Obama, Clinton to address DNC
DENVER, Aug. 10 (UPI) -- Michelle Obama and Hillary Clinton will address the Democratic National Convention in Denver in August, organizers said Sunday.
The Democratic National Convention will be held from Aug. 25 through Aug. 28. Presumptive Democratic presidential nominee Barack Obama is expected to accept his party's nomination at the event.
Michelle Obama, the Illinois senator's wife, is scheduled to speak Aug. 25. Sen. Clinton is set to address the convention the following day.
On Aug. 27, Obama's yet-to-be-announced vice presidential nominee will address Democrats.
"The 2008 Convention will highlight Americans coming together to change the course of this nation," said Convention Co-Chair and Kansas Gov. Kathleen Sebelius. "We are at a critical moment in our nation's history."
R&B singer Isaac Hayes dies at 65
MEMPHIS, Aug. 10 (UPI) -- Soul music icon Isaac Hayes dies Sunday at his home in Shelby County, Tenn., the sheriff's office said. He was 65.
Hayes, a member of the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame and an Oscar- and Grammy-winning singer, composer and producer, was found unconscious next to a treadmill at his home about 1 p.m. EDT the (Memphis) Commercial-Appeal reported. Family members found him when they returned home from a shopping trip and called 911.
He was taken to Baptist Memorial Hospital, where he was pronounced dead just after 2 p.m. A sheriff's office spokesman said a routine investigation would be conducted but there was no indication of foul play.
Hayes was born Aug. 20, 1942, in Covington, Tenn. With David Porter, he composed hits for Carla Thomas, Johnnie Taylor and Sam & Dave, who had hits with his tunes "Soul Man" and "Hold on I'm Comin.'"
He had success as a recording artist with the 1969 album "Hot Buttered Soul" and then won an Oscar and two Grammys in 1971 for his music for the movie "Shaft."
Hayes also enjoyed success as an actor, with a long-running role as Chef in the TV comedy "South Park" and roles in the movies "Escape from New York" and "I'm Gonna Git You Sucka."
He recently completed filming on "Soul Men," starring Samuel L. Jackson and Bernie Mac -- who died Saturday at 50 -- as former singing partners.
Hayes was inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame in 2002. He was inducted into the Songwriters Hall of Fame in 2005.
