Worldinbrief

THOUSANDS FLEE AS CYCLONE ‘EVAN’ BATTERS FIJI

SUVA: Thousands of people fled to evacuation centers in Fiji on Monday as a powerful cyclone lashed the Pacific nation, causing power outages and flash flooding, officials said. Tropical Cyclone Evan pummeled the main island Viti Levu with winds exceeding 200 kilometers per hour bringing down trees, blocking roads and forcing all flights to be grounded at the popular tourist destination. Fijian authorities said that there had been no reported casualties from the category four storm by late Monday, unlike in the neighboring Samoa, where it killed at least four people last week and left another 10 missing.

IRAQ ATTACKS KILL 25 PEOPLE

BAGHDAD: A series of attacks targeting both Iraqi security forces and civilians killed 25 people on Monday, in a second day of deadly violence ahead of the first anniversary of the withdrawal of US forces. The violence comes after a string of attacks killed 19 people and wounded 77 on Sunday. Monday was the deadliest day in Iraq since November 29, when 50 people were killed. US military forces completed their withdrawal from Iraq on December 18 last year, ending a nearly nine-year war that cost the lives of tens of thousands of Iraqis, thousands of Americans and hundreds of billions of dollars. Violence in Iraq is down significantly from its peak in 2006 and 2007, but while Iraqi forces have held their own since the US departure, insurgent groups still pose a significant threat, and attacks occur almost daily.