1. Prime Ministers of Greece, Italy Resign Over Debt Crisis. Greek Prime Minister George Papandreou resigned on Wednesday after forming a coalition government in parliament with members of opposition parties. The resignation comes a day after Italian Prime Minister Silvio Berlusconi announced that he would resign after implementing a round of austerity measures to help reduce Italian debt. Both Greece and Italy must make budget cuts in order to qualify for international financial assistance. The financial troubles of Greece and Italy have caused economic turmoil in nations using the euro as their currency, and have raised concerns about whether or not the euro will collapse in value. (Source: CNN)

2. Seven Die in U.K. Motorway Pile-Up. A 37-vehicle accident this weekend on the M5 motorway was responsible for seven fatalities in the U.K. The accident, one of the worst in 20 years of British transportation history, is likely due to smoke from a nearby fireworks display. Cars were unable to see in front of them and slowed down, causing drivers behind them to crash into them. Several vehicles burst into flames. Police had closed the M5 motorway at the site of the accident throughout the previous weekend for investigation and removal of debris. (Source: BBC)

3. Nineteen Miners Killed in China; More Trapped. A gas explosion killed nearly 20 miners and trapped many more on Nov. 10, just days after an earlier accident at another Chinese mine killed 10 miners. It is not clear if the two mining accidents occurred under similar circumstances. Rescue workers had reportedly entered the mine soon after the explosion, but high levels of dangerous gas were slowing rescue efforts. Chinese mines have some of the worst safety records in the industry, with standards well below those in other countries. Last year, 2,600 miners were killed in Chinese mining accidents. The Chinese government has said that it is improving its safety standards. (Source: BBC)

4. Death Toll in Syria Over 3,500. The United Nations reported on Nov. 8 that the death toll from the Syrian government’s crackdown on protesters has reached 3,500. This is despite a supposed peace deal arranged by the Arab League, in which Syrian President Bashar al-Assad agreed to end the use of the military against protesters. Syria’s actions have drawn criticism from governments and human rights groups around the world. The protests are part of the “Arab Spring” movement, a wave of popular uprisings against long-standing autocratic governments who have stayed in power for, in some cases, over 40 years. (Source: BBC)

5. Thailand Floods Receding after Months of Disaster. Five hundred thirty seven people were killed and hundreds of thousands of people were displaced in the wake of record flooding in Thailand. The flooding has caused extensive damage to Thailand’s industrial regions, raising concerns that many workers will be unable to return to their livelihoods. There have been several cases in which workers remained at their posts, even as floodwater began to rise around them. The government of Thailand will be working to find temporary work for those who were displaced. There was an estimated $5.1 billion in damage as a result of the floods. (Source: CNN)