Reuters

SAO PAULO (Reuters) - The death toll from heavy rains that have inundated Brazil's southern state of Rio Grande do Sul has risen to at least 66, local authorities said on Sunday.

The number of people still missing rose to 101 and more than 80,000 had been displaced, according to the state civil defence authority. It was investigating whether another six deaths were related to the storms, it added.

Storms in the past few days have affected... (continue reading...)

SYDNEY (Reuters) - Global economic weakness and a slowing domestic economy were among the reasons Australia will report a smaller revenue increase in its federal budget for the year ended June 30 compared to recent years, the government said on Sunday.

The Labor government is expected to report a budget surplus on May 14, although it flagged in March a revenue upgrade would be smaller than the year before as commodity prices fell and the labour market... (continue reading...)

By Tim Cocks

JOHANNESBURG (Reuters) - An inquiry into a fire that killed 77 people in Johannesburg last year blamed neglect by authorities for allowing a building to become a den for guns, murder, drugs and combustible trash, and failing to evacuate it once it was clear it was a hazard.

South Africa opened the inquiry last October to determine responsibility for the blaze on Aug. 31 last year in the rundown centre of its commercial hub.

JERUSALEM (Reuters) - The Palestinian Islamist group Hamas on Sunday claimed responsibility for an attack on the Kerem Shalom crossing between Israel and Gaza that local media reports said resulted in Israeli casuatlies.

The Israel military said 10 projectiles were launched from Rafah into southern Gaza towards the crossing, which it said was now closed to aid trucks going into the coastal enclave.

(Reporting by... (continue reading...)

JERUSALEM (Reuters) - Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu hardened his rejection of Hamas demands for an end to the Gaza war in exchange for the freeing of hostages, saying on Sunday that would keep the Palestinian Islamist group in power and pose a threat to Israel.

Netanyahu said Israel was willing to pause fighting in Gaza in order to secure the release of hostages still being held by Hamas, believed to number more than 130.

"But while... (continue reading...)