The Red Cross says this month's flooding in Louisiana is the worst US natural disaster since Superstorm Sandy four years ago, the death toll has now risen to 13. A federal judge has blocked ride-sharing giant Uber's attempt to settle a class action suit, saying the proposed $84 million was not adequate for the 385,000 drivers suing the company. German Chancellor Angela Merkel says there is no reason for the EU to lift economic sanctions against Russia as Moscow has failed to meet its commitments to peace. Former Federal Reserve Chair Alan Greenspan says that US interest rates will need to begin to rise soon if not with a "degree of rapidity" to stave off inflation. After a lawsuit and buyout, website Gawker.com will cease operations at the end of next week, however the group's other websites will continue.