World IN BRIEF : JAPAN : 1,200 Flee Volcanic Debris After Rains

At least 1,200 people were evacuated from their homes as torrential rains brought flooding that swept down debris from eruptions by a volcano that killed 41 people last month, firefighters said. Volcanic ash and basketball-sized rocks washed down three rivers leading from 4,485-foot Mt. but no casualties were reported, said Ichiro Otsu of the fire department in Shimabara, at the base of the volcano.