The rains caused more than 250 dead in Rio de Janeiro

Floods and landslides triggered by heavy rains have left at least 257 dead and 180,000 homeless in the mountainous region of Rio de Janeiro State. Another 13 people had died from torrential rains on Tuesday in the State of São Paulo, whose capital's transport systems were severely affected by the storms.

In the State of Rio, the city hardest hit was Teresopolis, a city about 100 kilometers north of the capital of the state in which at least 130 people died. Another 50 were missing last night. Within 24 hours fell in the area an amount of rain equal to the average of a month. The rivers overflowed their banks and caused serious landslides.

Brisbane is saved from the worst after the second flood of the river

The inhabitants of the third largest city in Australia, and Queensland state capital, have awakened with relief after the flooding of the Brisbane River tonight is not at its highest level anticipated when the rise of the river joined high tide. Even so the heaviest rains of the decade have left behind a huge trail of destruction.

The day began in sunshine, and the Australians early risers could see the sun after many days. But then came the rain. Even so, according to police and meteorologists River has experienced the time of maximum flood. Official sources have reported that the water level was one meter below the 5.5 that forecasters were predicting a figure that would have jeopardized the entire metropolitan area by the floods that have killed at least 12 people and 200,000 homeless in the eastern half of the country.

Obama participates in Tucson in a memorial to the victims

The U.S. president, Barack Obama, participate tonight in Tucson (2.00, Spanish CET) in a ceremony honoring the six dead and 14 wounded, including Rep. Gabrielle Giffords, gunshot wound to the head. Obama, who is traveling with the First Lady, Michelle Obama, and that after the funeral will return immediately to Washington, meet with the families of some victims and participate in a ceremony at the University of Arizona.

Tucson, Obama at the funeral of the victims Palin: "Blood libel"

TUCSON - U.S. President Barack Obama will attend the funeral of six victims of the massacre carried out last Saturday in a shopping center in Tucson by 22 year old Jared Loughner formally charged with multiple murder and attempted murder of Democrat Gabrielle Giffords, who in the parking area business was holding a rally.

Obama arrives in Arizona with his wife Michelle, the Minister of Justice Eric Holder and the Secretary of Homeland Security Janet Napolitano, former governor of Arizona. Before the ceremony - in the sports hall at the University of Arizona at Washington 20 hours, 2 am in Italy - the U.S.

Tragic floods At least 237 dead in Brazil in the Rio

SAO PAULO - At least 237 dead is terrible the last budget of the flood that hit the area of Rio de Janeiro after days of torrential rains that caused flooding and landslides. The most affected area of Brazil is the mountainous region of Serrana, north of Rio. Only in the town of Teresopolis, 100 km north of state capital, at least 122 victims have so far.

According to the mayor, another 50 people are still missing. The city is described by witnesses as "a sea of mud." A thousand people are homeless and have taken refuge in shelters set up by the city. The local civil defense (the Defesa Civil) has called on residents of homes threatened to take refuge in safe buildings, schools and churches.

Wikileaks, new files on Italy "Politicians do not fight mafia

ROME - From Afghanistan to the Mafia, new sensational revelations about Italy from the files of Wikileaks. Poor effort against the Mafia. "Although business associations, citizen groups and the Church, at least in some areas, are showing promising commitment to the fight against organized crime, the same can not be said of Italian politicians, particularly at the national level," writes J.

Patrick Truhn, U.S. Consul General in Naples, in a dispatch of June 2008. "As we pointed out Roberto Saviano, the theme (the struggle against organized crime, ed) was virtually absent from the electoral campaign of March-April" continues Truhn. The diplomat suggested to Washington to "work to make this the new government that the fight against organized crime is a major priority of the U.S.

Lebanon faces a severe political crisis

The resignation Wednesday, January 12, eleven Hariri government ministers, including ten members of the coalition led by Hezbollah, Lebanon plunged back into a period of political tension. Since 2008, the Doha agreement between the majority and the opposition, the country had never experienced a serious crisis.

The block of 8-Mars, composed of Shiite parties Amal and Hezbollah and supporters of the former Christian General Michel Aoun, has been waiting several weeks for the Prime Minister, Saad Hariri, stands out of the Special Tribunal for Lebanon. This court, which should shed light on the assassination of Rafik Hariri in February 2005 to launch these coming days of the charges that may apply to leaders of Hezbollah.