Deadly floods leave Balkans with desolation and exposed landmines

Floodwaters slowly receded in the Balkans on Thursday after the region's deadliest natural disaster in living memory, revealing widespread devastation and allowing the mammoth cleanup task to begin.

EU-wide elections could roil the bloc

Several European countries' commitment to the painful economic reforms meant to cut debt and foster growth could be shaken by this week's elections to the European Parliament, which are likely to see anti-EU parties buoyed by protest votes against austerity.

Jihadi fighters seek to establish new Islamist state on Syria-Iraq border

Jihadi fighters have launched a fresh bid to take over the Syria-Iraq border area and set up a so-called Islamic state they can control, according to rebels, activists and a monitoring group.

Thai military junta declares coup

Army seizes power for 12th time in 82 years to restore order

Protesters vacate rally sites

Anti-government protesters in Thailand have dispersed for the first time since the country's political crisis began six months ago. Army troops who staged a coup on Thursday asked the demonstrators to go home, and thousands of people peacefully left a rally site near a building housing the seat of government.

Unrest

November 2012

New York arrests 71 in child porn case

Two police officers, a rabbi and a Boy Scout leader are among 70 men and one woman arrested on child pornography charges in the largest such bust in New York, officials said on Wednesday.

Brazilian police officers stage 24-hour strike ahead of World Cup

Police officers went on a 24-hour strike in eight Brazilian states and the capital on Wednesday, demanding better pay and working conditions, raising security concerns less than a month before the opening match of the World Cup.

IN BRIEF (Page 12)

Fukushima groundwater being released into Pacific

The operator of Japan's destroyed Fukushima nuclear plant began releasing groundwater that it said is within legal radiation safety limits into the Pacific Ocean on Wednesday, in a bid to manage huge amounts of radioactive water built up at the site.

'Lost' snake species found in Mexico

A species of snake that had been "lost" for almost 80 years has been re-discovered on a remote Mexican island.

2,000 trains too wide for platforms, French rail company says

France's national rail company SNCF said on Tuesday it had ordered 2,000 trains for an expanded regional network that are too wide for many station platforms, entailing costly repairs.