Lebanon protest
Protesters clash with security forces in Beirut after Lebanese Prime Minister-designate Sa’ad al-Hariri abandoned his bid to form a new government. Lebanese security forces say a soldier was injured during the clashes. Demonstrators blocked roads and set fire to rubbish bins and tires. Hariri quit forming a government after consultations with President Michel Aoun, saying the two could not reach a consensus. That marks another setback for Beirut’s efforts to end almost nine months of political deadlock amid the country’s economic crisis. The country has been without a formal government since the deadly explosion in Beirut last August. Lebanon faces what the World Bank calls one of the worst economic crises in modern history.
Haiti assassination
Colombia’s police, helping Haiti in the investigation of President Jovenel Moise’s assassination, have made new revelations about the operation saying the initial intention of the gunmen was to capture the president alive. Colombian police added that they are now looking for three people who have been in Haiti and the Dominican Republic. Meanwhile, Haitian police said the murder was planned in the neighboring Dominican Republic. They announced that the main bodyguard and three other members of the slain president’s security staff were arrested. Colombian intelligence agents are cooperating with Haitian authorities in investigating the July 7th murder of Moise. Two Americans of Haitian descent and 26 Colombians took part in the operation at the president's home in Port-au-Prince.
Europe deadly storms
At least 67 people have been killed as torrential rains pour on Western Europe causing widespread flooding. Germany has reported 59 deaths, while Belgium has confirmed eight. Dozens of people remain missing. German officials expect water levels on the Rhine and Moselle rivers to rise even further over the next two days. Some 200,000 households are left without power in Western parts of Germany. The army has been deployed to help with rescue operations. Evacuation orders have been issued for parts of the region. Neighboring Luxembourg and the Netherlands have also been hit by floods in one of the worst disasters to hit the region in decades.