Tuesday, July 31, 2012

World News Briefs -- July 31, 2012



World's Biggest Blackout: 620 Million People Without Power In India -- Christian Science Monitor

World's biggest blackout: More than half of India's population was without electricity Tuesday. The blackout hit 20 of India's 28 states as the power failure cascaded across the grids.

India's energy crisis cascaded over half the country Tuesday when three of its regional grids collapsed, leaving 620 million people without government-supplied electricity for several hours in, by far, the world's biggest-ever blackout.

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MIDDLE EAST

Syrian army pounds Aleppo, rebels claim successes.

Humanitarian problems worsen in besieged Syria city of Aleppo as refugees flee.

Officials: 20 killed in twin Iraq car bombs.

Eight killed in clashes near Yemen Interior Ministry.

Yemen battles hunger while struggling with multiple crises.

Inside Turkey, concern over ‘Kurdish phobia’ around Syria.

Four sentenced to death over $2.6bn Iran bank fraud.

ASIA

Hundreds of millions without power after Indian grid goes down for second time in 2 days. India: 600 million without power in 'biggest ever blackout'.

Pakistan, US sign troop supply deal; Washington releases $1.1 billion in frozen aid.

Philippines to bid out disputed South China Sea oil, gas blocks.

North Korea's Kim Jong-un may be planning first China trip.

Anti-nuclear campaigners launch Japan's first green party.

China calls US report on religion biased, ignorant.

AFRICA

Sudan's Bashir turns down summit with South Sudan's Kiir.

Tanzania asks Malawi to halt oil search in disputed lake.

Mali gov’t condemns Islamist executions in north.

Guinea-Bissau drug trade 'rises since coup'.

Secretary Clinton heads to Africa Tuesday.

EUROPE

Euro crisis building again on several fronts before ECB meeting.

Eurozone unemployment at record high in June.

Investigators launch new criminal investigation against Russian protest leader Navalny. Russian prosecutors charge protest movement leader.

Romania's Traian Basescu survives impeachment vote.

New Russia internet law deemed censorship by critics.

AMERICAS

Survivors of crash that killed Cuba's Paya say it was an accident.

5 ATF officials found responsible for botched gun-tracking operation.

Mother of WikiLeaks founder in Ecuador to plea for son's asylum request.

Cocaine production drops by 25 percent in Colombia.

US: Peru overtakes Colombia as top cocaine producer.

Analysis: Venezuela joins trade bloc big on politics, protectionism.

TERRORISM/THE LONG WAR

White House: 'Fabrication' that Obama called off bin Laden raid.

Pentagon condemns return of al Qaeda in Iraq, promises 'unrelenting' response.

Chicago man pleads guilty to plan to fight for Al-Shabaab terror group.

Report: Iran funding terror camp in Iraq.

ECONOMY/FINANCE/BUSINESS

Corn prices hit record as crops shrivel.

Testimony expected in iPhone, iPad patent trial.

US rallies opponents of EU carbon tax on airlines.

Facebook share issues hit UBS results.

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