After estimated 300,000 homes lose power, Electric Corp blames management firm for failing to prepare, latter blames weather, malfunctions, and minister points to last government

Temperatures reach as high as 111.2°F with wind speeds reaching nearly 30 mph, as authorities scramble to prevent civilian harm and major property damage

Sandstorm blamed for 4 deaths in Egypt, no major injuries reported in Israel, though weather creates hot mess, grounding flights and felling trees; temperatures to climb Friday

State TV reports dust pollution very high in third such storm since mid-April; in neighboring Iraq thousands hospitalized with severe respiratory problems