World News Briefs -- January 3, 2011 (Evening Edition)

Floods Leave Australian City of 75,000 Stranded -- Voice Of America

Australian authorities say floodwaters have cut off a city of 75,000 people in the country's northeast, forcing the military to deploy aircraft to supply residents with food and medicine.

The premier of Queensland state, Anna Bligh, said Rockhampton was "completely stranded" by Monday night, with no access by airport, rail or road. Earlier, Australian military planes flew relief supplies to the nearby town of Mackay for delivery by truck to Rockhampton before floodwaters cut off the last route into the city.

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MIDDLE EAST

Israel's Labor: We'll quit if no progress to peace.

2 boats capsize off Yemen coast; 80 feared drowned.

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

Seoul sends warning of 'strong response' to North Korea. Koreas sharpen rhetoric.

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.

Defection hobbles Pakistan government. Pakistan PM Gilani in crisis talks with opposition.

AFRICA

Nigerian militants deny role in deadly bombing.

West African diplomats try to dislodge Gbagbo as commanders prepare option. African Union joining West African effort to resolve Ivory Coast crisis.

Southern Sudan '100% ready' for independence referendum. 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

Germany calls up last conscripts as army is reformed.

Greece tones down plans for a border fence after harsh criticism.

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

Jerry Brown returns to lead a troubled California.

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

Oil's most accurate see second-highest price in 2011.

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. Report: Facebook nets $500 million investment.