Friday, January 14, 2011

World News Briefs -- January 14, 2011



Brazil Death Toll Rises As Rescuers Battle Floods -- Yahoo News/Reuters

TERESOPOLIS, Brazil (Reuters) – Rescue workers in Brazil braced for more rain on Friday as they struggled to reach areas cut off by massive floods and landslides that look certain to have killed more than 500 people.

In one of the country's worst natural disasters, rivers of mud tore through towns in the mountainous Serrana region outside Rio de Janeiro, leveling houses, throwing cars atop buildings and stranding thousands of residents.

Read more ....

MIDDLE EAST

Lebanon set for showdown over P.M. post. Lebanon in turmoil as caretaker govt steps in. What Hezbollah wants from Lebanon's next government.

Hamas deploys forces near Israel-Gaza border to enforce truce.

Iran's nuke tour without major powers, key allies. China failing to enforce nuclear sanctions against Iran, expert says.

Clinton pushes for economic and political reforms in tour of Middle East. Clinton tells Mideast leaders to open up political, economic systems.

ASIA

Japan PM Naoto Kan reshuffles cabinet to tackle economy.

Rains worsen Sri Lanka flood havoc.

US Defense Secretary says talks with North Korea possible.

U.S. will defer to Japan on moving Okinawa base.

Australian city digs out from icky, sticky muck. Australians clean up muddy sludge after floods; 16 killed.

AFRICA

Tunisian leader says he will step down in 2014. Thousands march in Tunisia, urge president to quit.

Mobs in Ivory Coast attack United Nations vehicles. Ivory Coast: Mobs, security forces attack UN cars.

Nigerian president wins primary election.

Sudan’s Bashir may face threat if south chooses independence. After Sudan vote, U.S. to face fresh challenges.

EUROPE

Berlusconi targeted in prostitution probe after immunity curbed.

Greece nab four suspected terrorists, investigate hideout.

EU sends out £4.4m diaries to schools which list Muslim, Chinese and Hindu holidays... but miss out Christmas and Easter.

Crash report angers Poles and shakes ties with Russia.

Belarus boy faces orphanage after parents jailed.

Pope John Paul to be beatified May 1.

AMERICAS

Brazil landslides: president visits scene as death toll continues to rise. Nearly 500 are dead in Brazil flooding.

Haiti president unhappily receives election report.

Colombia police nab go-between with Mexican cartel.

Mayor shot to death in southern Mexico. Amid drug violence, Acapulco watches tourism recede.

TERRORISM/THE LONG WAR

Al-Qaeda to unleash Western jihadis.

Turkistan Islamic Party identifies senior leader killed in Afghanistan.

Al Qaeda claims kidnap of French hostages in Niger.

Al Qaeda's tentacles (a commentary).

ECONOMY/FINANCE/BUSINESS

Carmakers slicing into bailout debt, panel reports.

Oil off on U.S. data but OPEC eyed as $100 in sight.

Could the U.S. central bank go broke?

China raises banks' required reserves again.

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