News roundup

Photo caption: A wildfire burns out of control in Bastrop State Park near Bastrop yesterday.

--> US news: The wildfires in Texas continue to roar out of control, destroying more than 1,000 homes. With seemingly no end to the flames in sight, more than 5,000 residents were evacuated from the most-threatened areas.

The fires are being fueled by unforgiving weather conditions -- the region's relentless drought conditions and high winds attributed to former Tropical Storm Lee.

The disaster continued to unfold overnight: 22 new fires cropped up, at least 10 of which were labeled "large" by the Texas Forest Service. Combined, they have already consumed more than 7,544 acres. In all, there are an estimated 85 fires burning in the state. More at the LA Times.

--> US news: Six days after hanging up his uniform, talismanic US general David Petraeus ended his brief retirement today as he was sworn in as director of the Central Intelligence Agency.

Vice President Joe Biden officiated at the ceremony in the Roosevelt Room of the White House, at which Petraeus appeared not in his familiar olive, bemedalled dress uniform but in a business suit with a burgundy tie.

Petraeus, 58, responding to questions about whether he will be too close to the military as CIA chief, has said he will not retain his uniform or ex-army aides and will adapt the more informal civilian bearing of the spy agency.

Petraeus, mastermind of the US troop surge strategy in Iraq, officially retired on Wednesday after a 37-year military career which ended with him serving as commander of NATO-led forces in Afghanistan.

"Thanks to President Obama for his confidence in an old soldier. I had a great retirement. That's been a terrific week," Petraeus quipped. (Via AFP)

--> In related news: President Obama's approval rating hits all-time low:

Visit msnbc.com for breaking news, world news, and news about the economy


--> US news: Congress is set to hold a hearing today on the state of the financially troubled U.S. Postal Service amid warnings of a possible default and new questions about the viability of America's current mail delivery system.

Possible money saving reforms to the service include a drop in mail delivery from six to five days a week.Officials have promised there will be no disruptions to mail delivery, employee payroll, or payments to suppliers if a default occurs. But as the total volume of mail delivered by the postal service continues to drop, administrators are warning of severe financial strains.

Among other things, the service lacks sufficient funds to make a required $5.5 billion payment to its retiree health care trust fund at the end of the month, according to spokeswoman Yvonne Yoerger. More at CNN.

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