Today's edition of quick hits:
* A deadly day in Afghanistan: "Seven American troops were killed Thursday when the Black Hawk helicopter they were traveling in crashed in southern Afghanistan, possibly shot down by enemy forces, U.S. officials told NBC News."
* Syria: "The United Nations Security Council decided on Thursday to terminate its observer mission in Syria, where the increasingly violent rebellion against President Bashar al-Assad's government has left diplomatic peacemaking efforts paralyzed."
* Assange's fate: "Ecuador's foreign minister announced on Thursday that the country would grant asylum to WikiLeaks founder Julian Assange, defying threats by the British government to storm the Ecuadorean Embassy and extradite Assange to Sweden, where he is wanted for questioning in cases of alleged rape and sexual molestation."
* Suicides among active-duty soldiers in July "more than doubled from June, accelerating a trend throughout the military this year that has prompted Pentagon leaders to redouble efforts to solve a puzzling problem."
* Given the news, maybe the Fed can put its foot on the gas? "The news on inflation: There isn't any."
* After strange pestering from Fox News, the White House was forced to explain today that President Obama isn't going to drop Vice President Biden from the ticket. Good to know.
* "Dishonorable Disclosures" makes an effort to keep the Swiftboat Liars' legacy alive.
* About once a year or so, I actually find myself agreeing with Grover Norquist. I know, I find it hard to believe, too.
* And no matter what you heard from "Fox & Friends," First Lady Michelle Obama did not say voting Republican will give you cancer.
Anything to add? Consider this an open thread.