WORLD/ TOLL AND MISERY RISE IN BRAZIL: The death toll from devastating flooding in Brazil continued to rise today. Officials say there were at least 626 deaths reported in a mountainous region of Rio de Janeiro state, NE of the city of Rio. Most of the deaths were reported in the cities of Nova Friburgo and Teresopolis, with 283 and 268 fatalities, respectively. In the nearby town of Petropolis there were 56 dead, and 19 in Sumidouro. Rescuers have not been able to reach some hard-hit areas and many more people are feared dead. The rain is predicted to continue for several days in areas already submerged in water or slathered with mud. Brazilians are said to be reeling from the scope of the disaster. One 27 year old man lost 23 members of his family, including his father, wife and child. Workers have dug mass graves near the hardest hit towns. Pictured above is a dog named Leao. According to local media reports, the dog has been sitting for the past 2 days, next to the grave of her owner, who perished in the floods.
WORLD/ DEADLY FLOODS HIT THE PHILIPPINES: Heavy flooding has hit The Philippines, killing at least 47 people. Parts of the Philippines have been dealing with the effects of heavy rainfall for weeks. A monsoon triggered rains, flooding and landslides affecting 25 provinces. More than 1.5 million people have been affected. Among 10 impacted regions, Caraga, on the eastern island of Mindanao, has the greatest number of people affected at more than 600,000.
WORLD/ AUSSIE FLOODS NOW HIT VICTORIA: Thousands of people have fled their homes in Victoria as major flooding hits the southern Australian state. The floods have already swamped some of the state's northern towns and are threatening 1400 homes in 43 others. At least 18 people have lost their lives in Australia's flood disaster so far, with many more still missing, All the deaths were in the northern state of Queensland, where water levels have now largely receded and a major clean-up operation is now underway. Victoria state officials said the flood is set to be one of the worst ever seen in the state.
Tunisian military forces are exchanging fire near the presidential palace with members of deposed President Zine al-Abidine Ben Ali's guard. Witnesses reported heavy gunfire in Carthage, north of the capital Tunis, where the palace is located. Tunis police are also patrolling the city, as pictured above. It comes after the ex-head of presidential security was arrested and accused of threatening state security by fomenting violence. Meanwhile, political leaders are holding talks about a new government and expect to make an announcement tomorrow. A State of Emergency remains in effect.
US/ MISSISSIPPI WINN DIES AT 113: Mississippi Winn, a Louisiana woman believed to have been the oldest living African American, has died at 113. Winn, an upbeat former domestic worker known as “Sweetie,” died Friday afternoon at a Nursing Home in Shreveport, Louisiana. Winn was believed to be the oldest living African American in the United States and the 7th oldest living person in the world. Winn was 1 of 2 known people left in the United States whose parents both were almost certainly born into slavery.
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