Reuters, Washington
U.S. President Donald Trump on Tuesday praised Lebanon’s efforts to guard its borders to prevent Islamic State and other militant groups from gaining a foothold inside their country and promised continued American help.
“America’s assistance can help ensure that the Lebanese army is the only defender Lebanon needs,” Trump said at a White House news conference after talks with Lebanon’s Prime Minister Saad al-Hariri.
Heavy rain leads to flooding in parts of Germany
AP, Berlin
Heavy rain in Germany has led to flooding in some areas, with people in one northern city piling sand bags in front of their homes to protect themselves against a swollen river.
Streets were flooded and basements had to be pumped dry of water in the mountainous Harz region on Wednesday, and two stretches of local railway lines were closed. In nearby Hildesheim, people stacked sand bags along the banks of the swelling Innerste river.
48 dead as heavy monsoon rains lash western India
AP, New Delhi
At least 48 people have been killed as large swathes of western India are lashed by heavy monsoon rains and flooding over the last week.
In Rajasthan, home to a number of popular tourist destinations, the streets of at least four districts have been turned into virtual rivers trapping tens of thousands of people on the upper stories of residential buildings. Rescue workers are scrambling to rescue thousands of others whose homes have been flooded or destroyed.
N. Korea’s diplomat to join security summit in Manila
AP, Manila
North Korea’s top diplomat will attend an annual Asian security conference next week in Manila, where concern over the North’s nuclear weapons program is expected to be high on the agenda, Philippine officials said.
A North Korean delegation led by its vice foreign minister flew to Manila Wednesday to discuss with their Filipino counterparts the participation of Pyongyang’s top diplomat, Ri Su-yong, in the ASEAN Regional Forum, the Department of Foreign Affairs said.
Mumbai building collapse death toll rises to 17
AFP, Mumbai
Rescuers stepped up a desperate bid Wednesday to find victims buried under the rubble of a collapsed building in Mumbai as the death toll rose to 17.
The disaster, which occurred in the northern suburb of Ghatkopar on Tuesday morning, was the latest to shine a spotlight on poor construction standards in India.
Thais free 1,066 turtles to celebrate King’s birthday
AFP, Chon Buri
Hundreds of Thai schoolchildren and naval officers sent 1,066 turtles scuttling into the sea on Wednesday in a ceremony aimed at bringing good fortune to the new King Maha Vajiralongkorn, who turns 65 on Friday.
