International Headlines

Date: Tue, 3 Aug 2010 05:02:04 -0400
>TOP STORIES as of 0900 GMT -- 03 August, 2010

> 40 DEAD AS INTENSE HEAT FANS RUSSIAN WILDFIRES
The death toll from fierce wildfires raging across western
Russia rises to 40, amid a government-declared state of
emergency in 500 towns and villages.

> DISEASE FEARED IN FLOOD-HIT PAKISTAN
As relief efforts in Pakistan intensify, officials warn of
outbreaks of disease such as cholera among the millions affected
by the country's worst floods in 80 years.

> OBAMA: IRAQ DRAWDOWN ON SCHEDULE
The planned drawdown of troops from Iraq is proceeding and
should lead to an end of America's combat mission there by the
end of August, the U.S. president says.

> BAGHDAD: INSURGENTS KILL FIVE OFFICERS
Insurgents with ties to al Qaeda attacked a checkpoint in
western Baghdad and killed five police officers early Tuesday,
officials said.

> BP EYES TEST FOR 'STATIC KILL' IN GULF
A crucial test -- meant to determine whether an effort to seal
the ruptured BP oil well in the Gulf of Mexico could proceed --
will likely take place Tuesday, according to the company.

> U.S. REOPENS CONSULATE IN CIUDAD JUAREZ
The U.S. Consulate General in Ciudad Juarez will reopen Tuesday
after a security review that lasted two business days, the State
Department said.

> TWO CONVICTED IN NEW YORK BOMB PLOT
Two men were convicted Monday of plotting explosions at John F.
Kennedy International Airport.

> DEADLY BLAST TRAPS MINERS IN CHINA
Nine miners are dead and seven others are believed trapped after
a gas explosion at a coal mine in central China, state-run media
reported Tuesday.

BUSINESS
~~~~~~~~~~~

> WASHINGTON POST SELLS NEWSWEEK
The Washington Post Co. said it has sold struggling Newsweek
magazine, which it has published for half a century, to audio
industry pioneer Sidney Harman. Newsweek reported that
editor-in-chief Jon Meacham intends to step down.

> HSBC PROFIT HITS $11.1B
Pre-tax profit more than doubled at HSBC in the first six months
of the year as bad debts fell to the lowest level since the
start of the financial crisis.

> GREEK TRUCK OWNERS VOTE TO END STRIKE
The Greek government ordered the country's armed forces to help
deliver fuel as truck drivers voted to continue a contentious
strike, state media reported.