Thursday, June 20, 2013

World News Briefs -- June 20, 2013



Flood Death Toll in India May Top 1,000 People, Official Says -- Bloomberg

Torrential rain and flash floods in northern India may have killed more than 1,000 people, a government official said, as the armed forces stepped up searches for those stranded in mountainous areas.

Shashidhar Reddy, vice chairman of India’s National Disaster Management Authority, told reporters in New Delhi that rescue teams were reaching more remote regions, and that he expected the death toll to soar from the current figure of about 150 people. “The devastation is massive” Reddy said.

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MIDDLE EAST

Rebels hang on near Damascus, hope for deal on arms from Jordan.

Six Syrian heritage sites declared endangered.

U.S. military presence in Jordan quietly grows.

Iraq, Lebanon alarmed at spreading Syria war.

Security tight as Iraqis vote in Sunni-dominated provinces.

Palestinian children tortured, used as shields by Israel: U.N..

Israel's Netanyahu signals annoyance with EU over Hezbollah.

New Palestinian prime minister offers resignation: official.

ASIA

Afghanistan peace talks: US-Taliban meeting in Qatar cancelled.

Taliban offer to free U.S. soldier for Guantanamo prisoners.

Indian monsoon flooding 'leaves 1000 dead'. Indian floods leave tens of thousands stranded in Uttarakhand state.

Singapore smog reaches ‘hazardous’ all-time high on fires.

Ten sentenced to death in Bangladesh.

Riot after Chinese teachers try to stop pupils cheating.

AFRICA

UNHCR: Africa refugee crisis overshadowed by Syria.

Chaos, Islamist threat plague Libya's lawless desert south.

Threat level was high before UN attack in Somalia.

Liberia sends first post-war peacekeepers to Mali.

ICC postpones Kenyatta war crimes trial.

Egyptian court frees Mubarak-era prime minister Nazif.

Egypt: Appointment of new Luxor governor sparks anger.

EUROPE

Obama challenges Russia to agree to deeper nuclear weapon cuts.

Lawmakers question Obama's pledge to scale back US nuclear arsenal.

Greece restoring confidence in reform program, says Barroso.

IMF: Spain making strong progress but jobs boost needed.

Britain, France face EU action over Eurotunnel charges.

On home turf show, Airbus steals Boeing's thunder.

AMERICAS

Protests planned across Brazil despite concessions. Protests roil Brazil despite fare rollback.

Analysis: Rough honeymoon for Chavez's successor in Venezuela.

Immigration agents say border security deal not good enough.

Dwindling Great Lakes squeeze shipping industry.

Study: 70 percent Of Americans on prescription drugs.

Two people missing after explosion at Quebec fireworks factory.

Pro-gun control group apologizes for citing Tsarnaev as victim of gun violence.

TERRORISM/THE LONG WAR

FBI foils plot to build strange X-ray weapon, possibly targeting President Obama. Experts say radiation weapon 'unfeasible,' 'far-fetched'.

Senator presses Pentagon on Guantanamo feeding.

In northern Iraqi city, al-Qaida gathers strength.

ECONOMY/FINANCE/BUSINESS

China, euro zone threaten U.S.-led economic recovery.

Asian, European markets plunge.

Google: 'We're not in cahoots' with NSA.

Kim Dotcom 'in tears' after firm deletes Megaupload files.

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