US Targeted by Hurricane Rita, the Texas coast braced for the worst and ordered evacuations amid fears the extremely dangerous storm would reach top intensity as it barrels over the oil-rich Gulf of Mexico. Iraq Hundreds of Iraqis, including uniformed police, staged angry protests against British troops in the southern city of Basra after a police station was stormed to free two British soldiers. Iraq Britain and Iraq insisted they remained united over London's military presence in the country despite rising tensions, and that British forces "will not cut and run". India At least 64 people have died and hundreds of thousands displaced after powerful storms left a trail of devastation across the Indian and Bangladeshi coasts in the Bay of Bengal. Nigeria Nigerian separatist militants warned foreign oil workers to flee the Niger Delta as they launched an operation to retaliate for the arrest of their leader by attacking wells and pipelines. EU The European Union finally agreed a hotly-contested declaration on Turkey, voicing confidence it will clear the way for talks with Ankara next month despite lingering problems. IMF World economic growth will slow this year owing to sky-high oil prices, the IMF said in a report that warned also of looming instability caused by yawning imbalances in the global economy. Indonesia Indonesia's health minister warned the country was facing a bird flu epidemic as two more possible victims died after showing signs of infection. Germany German Chancellor Gerhard Schroeder's Social Democrats were first to launch an uphill battle to form a government Wednesday after an inconclusive election left the country politically deadlocked. Ukraine Ukrainian President Viktor Yushchenko groped for ways out of political stalemate after parliament rejected his nominee for prime minister in the latest blow to the embattled "orange revolution" leader.