NPR News 2013-08-05 加文本

NPR News 2013-08-05

From NPR News in Washington, I'm Korva Coleman.

More than 20 US consulates and embassies are closed, mostly in North Africa and Middle East this weekend. The move comes after the US learned of a potential threat against American government or private business interests. The chairman of the US Joint Chiefs of Staff, General Martin Dempsey, finds it's significant. Speaking to ABC's “This Week,” Dempsey says the current threat is stronger than previous threats.

“It is more specific and we’re taking it seriously, which I think you expect us to do. Yeah, there is a significant threat stream and we’re reacting to it.

Dempsey added the precise target of a possible al-Qaeda threat is not known. The State Department’s also issued a travel warning to Americans to be on alert overseas.

In Afghanistan, flash floods are causing devastation across eastern parts of the country. NPR's Sean Carberry reports at least 60 people have been killed and dozens are missing.

Rain has been pouring down on the mountains of eastern Afghanistan for several days, and the flooding is expected to continue. Most houses in the rural parts of the country are poorly constructed out of mud and brick, and officials say that hundreds have been washed away along with large expanses of agricultural land. More than 40 people have been killed just in one district of eastern Kabul province. But the capital itself remains dry. Hundreds of Afghan army troops are involved in rescue operations across six provinces. The United Nations and other international organizations are also providing assistance. Sean Carberry, NPR News, Kabul.

The biggest bank in Britain, HSBC, is reported to have given a number of diplomatic missions in London -- 60 days to find a new bank. More than 40 embassies, consulates and high commissions have been affected, according to the British newspaper The Mail. The BBC's Joe Lynam has more.

That was part of a rapid process of what it calls “de-risking.” The sprawling global bank has asked certain diplomatic customers to find new banks. It's said that it was carrying out a rolling program of assessments of all its businesses, and that embassies were no exception. The bank refused though it’s commented on individual customer relationships. But it's over. The head of the consular Corps, which represents consuls in the UK, told the Mail on Sunday that the HSBC decision had created havoc as embassies had to pay numerous bills which require the use of a bank account.

The BBC's Joe Lynam.

In 2012, HSBC got a record fine after US officials revealed its bankers had been handling assets belonging into Iran, Libya and Mexico's notorious drug cartels.

Iran has a new president. Hasan Rowhani took the oath of office today before a session of parliament. In his speech, he told other countries they should speak to Iran, using the language of respect, not international sanctions. The Obama administration sent a message. It says it hopes Iran to make choices leading to a better life for Iranians, and if it truly seeks peace, it will find a willing partner in the United States.

This is NPR.

The US has called into question the outcome of Wednesday's disputed elections in Zimbabwe, which handed victory to President Robert Mugabe, as well as a crucial 2/3 majority in parliament. From Harare, NPR's Ofeibea Quist-Arcton reports Secretary of State John Kerry says the results do not represent a creditable expression of the will of the people of Zimbabwe.

“Make no mistakes,” says Secretary Kerry in a tough talking statement, detailing a deeply flawed electoral process in Zimbabwe. Western observer missions were barred from the vote which the main opposition presidential candidate, outgoing Prime Minister Morgan Tsvangirai, has described as a “farce,” alleging widespread rigging. President Mugabe’s ZANU-PF party rejects all talk of vote fraud. But Tsvangirai says he's planning a court challenge. Kerry's statement lists a litany of alleged irregularities that the US says skewed the elections. Domestic observers described as “seriously compromised” the vote which Zimbabwe’s neighbors broadly endorsed, though noting significant problems. Ofeibea Quist-Arcton, NPR News, Harare.

California authorities arrested a man who says he was the driver who plowed into a Venice Beach boardwalk yesterday, killing one person and injuring at least 11 others. Witnesses say that the driver seemed to speed up as he swerved on and off the curve, scattering tourists. The driver fled the scene. About an hour later, a man walked into a neighboring police station, claiming he had hit the pedestrians.

Today is President Obama's 52nd birthday. He celebrated quietly at the presidential retreat at Camp David in Maryland. Yesterday Obama played golf with friends. He's scheduled to return to the White House today.

I'm Korva Coleman, NPR News.