INDIA - As the death toll in the ongoing ethnic clash in Assam [India], climbed to 36, the Army was called in on Wednesday to help the state administration contain the violence in the four affected districts of Kokrajhar, Dhubri, Chirang and Bongaigaon. Defence spokesman Lieutenant Colonel S S Phogat said that 13,000 troops have been deployed in all areas in the four districts from 8.30 am.

USA - The theater shooting in Colorado last week continues to generate discussions about firearms in America, but it is doing more than just getting people to talk. Gun sales in Colorado have skyrocketed in the days since the Aurora massacre. "A lot of it is people saying, 'I didn't think I needed a gun, but now I do'," Meyers adds. "When it happens in your backyard, people start reassessing — 'Hey, I go to the movies'."

USA - The summer of 2012 may be remembered as the time when regulation, scandals and a protracted slow-growth economy finally caught up with big American banks. Ever since the financial crisis, US banks and their investors have held out hopes of a return to the good times, when lending profits steadily rose and commercial and investment banking flourished together. But analysts and investors are now questioning whether things have changed for good.

USA - At least 3 men accused of making threats during or after watching the new Batman movie have been arrested in separate incidents, underscoring moviegoers' anxieties and heightened security in the wake of a deadly mass shooting at a Colorado theater showing the film. Despite some jitters over the horrific shooting, moviegoers around the country still flocked to theaters to see the film, which was the final installment of the phenomenally successful Batman trilogy.

EUROPE - Jose Manuel Barroso, head of the European Commission, will visit Greece for the first time since the start of the crisis on Thursday as the country's prime minister said the economy could shrink by more than 7% this year. "With lingering concerns over whether Spain will have to seek a full blown sovereign bailout buyers are unlikely to return to the market any time soon and with the eurozone economy remaining mired in a spiral of austerity driven recession the outlook remains rather bleak," said Angus Campbell, head of market analysis at Capital Spreads.

USA - There is much more to the collapse of America than just our economic problems. The truth is that the United States is like a beautiful house that may still look great on the outside but that has rotted and decayed very badly on the inside.

SPAIN - Spain is battling to avert a fully-fledged sovereign rescue after borrowing costs spiralled out of control, with dangerous knock-on effects in Italy and Eastern Europe. “We can’t keep going like this for another 15 days,” said Professor Miguel Angel Bernal from Madrid’s Institute of Market Studies.

SPAIN - Spain has banned short-selling of shares to try to limit price moves after markets fell sharply on fears the country may need a full bailout. Spain's market regulator blocked the practice for three months to try to restore order after sharp falls in bonds and shares.

GREECE - Greece has fallen behind with its budget cuts and is asking lenders for more time to meet the conditions of the €130 billion aid package. But that would require fresh help of up to €50 billion, Spiegel has learned. Neither Berlin nor the IMF are prepared to make that money available.

USA - Are your Skype calls safe from the eyes and ears of snooping feds? Microsoft has filed a patent to allow eavesdropping over Skype and other VOIP platforms, but the Silicon Valley giants won’t say whether or not they are already implementing it. Now with their latest patent, the 663 million registered users of Skype might have their VOIP calls monitored. At least now they’ll at least be aware of it. Kind of.

SYRIA - Syria says it will only use its chemical and biological arsenal against “external aggression,” and never against its own population. The US has warned the Arab country against using the arsenal under any circumstances. Torn by a 16-month civil conflict, Syria will not use the weapons against its own people, Foreign Ministry spokesman Jihad Makdissi assured on Monday.

GREECE - New speculation of a Greek exit from the euro zone hit financial markets on Monday after the IMF and major creditors including Germany were reported to be intent on refusing further aid. German media commentators don't see how Greece can avoid quitting the euro - and say Athens has mainly itself to blame.

USA - By the end of the third quarter of fiscal 2012, the new debt accumulated in this fiscal year by the federal government had already exceeded $1 trillion, making this fiscal year the fifth straight in which the federal government has increased its debt by more than a trillion dollars, according to official debt numbers published by the US Treasury. By June 29, the last business day of the third quarter of fiscal 2012, that debt had grown to $15,856,367,214,324.44.

USA - The US Episcopal Church has approved a liturgy for clergy to use in blessing same-sex unions, including gay marriages in states where they are legal, becoming the largest US religious denomination to approve such a ritual. Delegates to its triennial convention voted 171-50 on Tuesday to approve the liturgy, titled “the Witnessing and Blessing of a Lifelong Covenant.” Episcopal bishops had voted overwhelmingly on Monday in favor of the text.

HONG KONG, CHINA - A strong typhoon hit Hong Kong overnight, leaving scores injured, hundreds of trees felled and many flights cancelled or delayed. Typhoon Vicente hit late on Monday, bringing winds of more than 140 km/h (87 mph) and heavy downpours. More than 100 people sought treatment at public hospitals and at least 72 were hospitalised, officials said. Flooding has also been reported in some areas.