Monday, January 3, 2011

World News Briefs -- January 3, 2011



Australian Flooding 'To Last Weeks' -- BBC

Devastating flood waters across the Australian state of Queensland may not recede for weeks, the state's Premier Anna Bligh has warned.

More than 20 towns in Queensland have been cut off or flooded, with more than 200,000 people affected.

Military aircraft are flying supplies into Rockhampton, which has been isolated by the still-rising waters.

The authorities have now confirmed three deaths caused by flood waters in the past few days.

Read more
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MIDDLE EAST

Israel preparing for 'large scale war': cable.

Netanyahu: Israel agreed to new settlement freeze, but U.S. retracted offer.

2 U.S. troops killed in Iraq; rare loss of American lives amid spike in targeted killings.

Bombing opens vein of Christian anger in Egypt.

ASIA

Australian towns brace for more flooding, death toll rises.

Afghan violence in 2010 kills thousands: government.

South Korea stands firm against North's 'adventurism'. N. Korea boosts special forces, tanks: Report.

Pakistan PM Gilani in crisis talks with opposition.

AFRICA

African Union joining West African effort to resolve Ivory Coast crisis.

As vote nears, Sudan's south anticipates independence and problems.

Somali pirates seize Algerian-owned ship off Oman.

Visitors snap up 100 trillion Zimbabwe bank notes.

EUROPE

Pope to hold peace summit with religious heads.

So long, smoke-filled tapas bars: Spain's smoking ban begins.

Russia orders halt to Tu-154B flights after fire.

Moscow court arrests another opposition leader.

European nations begin seizing private pensions.

AMERICAS

Mexican cartel announces 1-month truce.

Mexico seeks lessons from Colombia's war on FARC.

Venezuela: Chavez's power grab.

Magnitude-7.1 quake shakes southern Chile.

TERRORISM/THE LONG WAR

Al-Qaeda-inspired militants blamed for Egyptian church attack.

Al-Qaeda in Arab Peninsula claims responsibility for 50 attacks in Yemen.

Osama's top aide killed in drone strike.

ECONOMY/FINANCE/BUSINESS

Expedia drops American Airlines ticket sales from website in price dispute.

Apple woes continue as some oversleep in Asia and Europe.

China will continue to buy Spanish debt: vice premier.

Goldman invests in Facebook at $50 billion valuation.

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