Tuesday, July 31, 2012

World News Briefs -- July 31, 2012 (Evening Edition)



2nd Day Of Power Failures Cripples Wide Swath Of India -- New York Times

NEW DELHI — The world’s largest blackout ever crippled roughly half of India for a second consecutive day on Tuesday, sending officials scrambling for an explanation.

The power failure spread across 22 of the country’s 28 states, an area whose population is nearly 700 million, almost 10 percent of the world’s population. Hundreds of trains stopped across the region and, in Delhi, the subway system stalled, and massive traffic jams collected as traffic lights stopped functioning.

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MIDDLE EAST

Syria government's Aleppo assault stalls. Syrian army pounds Aleppo, rebels claim successes.

Arab Islamist fighters eager to join Syria rebels.

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

U.S. lawmakers reach compromise on Iran sanctions.

Courts rebuke Iran’s President with sentences and ally’s firing.

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

India's energy crisis threatens its economic growth.

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'.

Japan concerned by Chinese naval activity, lack of transparency in decision-making process.

Japan’s New Korea policy: Closer — but not close enough.

In Afghanistan, targeted attacks on leaders an ominous trend.

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

Gaddafi son cannot get fair trial in Libya: lawyers.

Washington prepares to ramp up military cooperation with Tunisia.

Egypt court move suspends constitution row.

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

U.S. pledge to rebuild Haiti not being met.

U.S. Post office nears historic default on $5B payment.

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

Al Qaeda decline hard to reverse after Bin Laden killing: U.S.

Ex-Guantanamo inmate surrenders to Saudi authorities.

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

Online poker sites settle fraud charges for $731m.

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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