The death toll from the heavy downpour in the Brazilian state of Rio de Janeiro has risen to 610, as the search for victims and survivors continued, according to the latest civil defence bulletin. According to the latest figures, the floods and mudslides caused 274 deaths in Nova Friburgo city, 263 in Teresopolis, 55 in Petropolis and 18 in Sumidouro.

The regional government on Saturday declared seven days of official mourning in honour of those who died.

Emergency operations focused on areas that have been inaccessible after being buried under tonnes of mud and stones following the landslides on Wednesday.

A review of President Obama’s war strategy cites progress in Afghanistan and Pakistan, but leaves until later the answers to questions that have plagued the U.S. effort since Obama dispatched additional troops last year.

The review unveiled by the president and his top advisors at the White House on Thursday sheds little new light on major questions such as how soon Afghan forces will be able assume more responsibility for security, and whether international troops can effectively choke off access from insurgent sanctuaries in Pakistan.

A five-page summary of the review’s findings released by the White House concludes that the “strategy is showing progress,” especially against Al Qaeda in Pakistan, and is “setting the conditions to begin a responsible reduction of U.S. forces in July 2011,” the date previously set by Obama for beginning withdrawals.

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