Two killed as passenger plane lands in Myanmar rice field

Two killed as passenger plane lands in Myanmar rice field


Two killed as passenger plane lands in Myanmar rice field

Posted: 24 Dec 2012 10:35 PM PST

YANGON (Reuters) - Two people were killed and 10 wounded in northeast Myanmar on Tuesday when a passenger plane missed an airport runway in heavy fog and landed in a rice paddy, state television said. The pilot of the Air Bagan plane touched down beyond Heho airport in Shan state, killing an 11-year-old passenger and a motorcyclist on the ground, MRTV said. Four foreigners and the pilot were among the injured. The plane was carrying 63 passengers, 51 of whom were foreigners. MRTV said. Air Bagan is one of five airlines operating domestic routes in Myanmar. ...

Venezuela's Chavez improving after surgery: officials

Posted: 24 Dec 2012 08:31 PM PST

Supporter of Venezuelan President Hugo Chavez holds a picture of him, as she attends a mass to pray for Chavez's health in CaracasCARACAS (Reuters) - Venezuelan President Hugo Chavez is improving after a cancer operation in Cuba and has started exercising, officials said on Monday, amid doubts over whether the former soldier is in good enough health to continue governing. Vice President Nicolas Maduro said he had spoken by phone with Chavez, who was walking and doing exercises as part of his treatment. "We've gotten the best present we could get this Christmas: a phone call from our commander president," Maduro said on state television. ...


New poll shows Israel's leader losing altitude

Posted: 24 Dec 2012 10:22 PM PST

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu attends the weekly cabinet meeting in his Jerusalem office, Sunday, Dec. 23, 2012. (AP Photo/Sebastian Scheiner, Pool)JERUSALEM (AP) — A new poll shows Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu poised for an election victory but losing support to a rival who opposes Palestinian statehood.


US actor Jack Klugman dies at age 90

Posted: 24 Dec 2012 10:35 PM PST

Famous for roles in television series "The Odd Couple" and "Quincy ME", he passes away after facing health problems.

Two killed as passenger plane lands in Myanmar rice field

Posted: 24 Dec 2012 10:36 PM PST

YANGON (Reuters) - Two people were killed and 10 wounded in northeast Myanmar on Tuesday when a passenger plane missed an airport runway in heavy fog and landed in a rice paddy, state television said.

Indian land program shows tech's limits

Posted: 24 Dec 2012 09:16 PM PST

In this Dec. 5, 2012 photo, Gangarangamma, 65, walks through the land she and her husband farmed for decades which the records show is registered to the government, a sign the land remained in dispute, in village Karadigere Kaval, 85 kilometers (53 miles) from Bangalore, India. For years, Karnataka's land records were a quagmire of disputed, forged documents maintained by thousands of tyrannical bureaucrats who demanded bribes to do their jobs. In 2002, there were hopes that this was about to change. (AP Photo/Aijaz Rahi)BANGALORE, India (AP) — For years, Karnataka's land records were a quagmire of disputed, forged documents maintained by thousands of tyrannical bureaucrats who demanded bribes to do their jobs. In 2002, hopes emerged that this was about to change.


VIDEO: Notre Dame celebrates 850 years

Posted: 24 Dec 2012 08:59 PM PST

Notre Dame cathedral in Paris is due to celebrate its 850th anniversary, with the start of a year-long festival.

VIDEO: Notre Dame celebrates 850 years

Posted: 24 Dec 2012 08:59 PM PST

Notre Dame cathedral in Paris is due to celebrate its 850th anniversary, with the start of a year-long festival.

Venezuela's Chavez improving after surgery: officials

Posted: 24 Dec 2012 08:31 PM PST

CARACAS (Reuters) - Venezuelan President Hugo Chavez is improving after a cancer operation in Cuba and has started exercising, officials said on Monday, amid doubts over whether the former soldier is in good enough health to continue governing.

Amazon AWS Takes Down Netflix On Christmas Eve

Posted: 24 Dec 2012 03:51 PM PST

For the third time this year, problems with Amazon's AWS  in Northern Virginia has knocked several websites and services offline, including Netflix. According to AWS' Service Health Dashboard, problems began at 1:50 PM PST, and as of 5:49 PM, the company is continuing "to work on resolving issues with the Elastic Load Balancing Service in [...]

U.N. General Assembly voices concern for Myanmar's Muslims

Posted: 24 Dec 2012 08:18 PM PST

Muslim woman, displaced by recent violence in Kyukphyu township, cries after arriving at Thaechaung refugee camp outside of SittweUNITED NATIONS (Reuters) - The U.N. General Assembly expressed serious concern on Monday over violence between Rohingya Muslims and Buddhists in Myanmar and called upon its government to address reports of human rights abuses by some authorities. The 193-nation General Assembly approved by consensus a non-binding resolution, which Myanmar said last month contained a "litany of sweeping allegations, accuracies of which have yet to be verified." Outbreaks of violence between ethnic Rakhine Buddhists and the Rohingyas have killed dozens and displaced thousands since June. ...


VP says he spoke with Chavez, who is up, walking

Posted: 24 Dec 2012 09:12 PM PST

Pierre Denis, who works at Venezuela's embassy, carries an image of Venezuela's President Hugo Chavez after holding a Mass to pray for Chavez's health in Petion-Ville, Haiti, Friday, Dec. 21, 2012. Chavez is recovering in Cuba from surgery, his fourth operation related to pelvic cancer since June 2011. (AP Photo/ Photo/Dieu Nalio Chery)CARACAS, Venezuela (AP) — Venezuelan Vice President Nicolas Maduro said late Monday night that he had spoken by telephone with President Hugo Chavez and that the leader is up and walking following cancer surgery in Cuba.


U.N. General Assembly voices concern for Myanmar's Muslims

Posted: 24 Dec 2012 08:19 PM PST

UNITED NATIONS (Reuters) - The U.N. General Assembly expressed serious concern on Monday over violence between Rohingya Muslims and Buddhists in Myanmar and called upon its government to address reports of human rights abuses by some authorities.

U.N. approves new debate on arms treaty opposed by U.S. gun lobby

Posted: 24 Dec 2012 06:13 PM PST

UNITED NATIONS (Reuters) - The U.N. General Assembly voted overwhelmingly on Monday to restart negotiations on a draft international treaty to regulate the $70 billion global trade in conventional arms, a pact the powerful U.S. National Rifle Association has been lobbying hard against. U.N. delegates and gun control activists have complained that talks collapsed in July largely because U.S. President Barack Obama feared attacks from Republican rival Mitt Romney before the November 6 election if his administration was seen as supporting the pact, a charge U.S. officials have denied. ...

Mark Cuban: The World’s 7 Most Powerful People In Sports

Posted: 24 Dec 2012 02:02 PM PST

Mark Cuban Buys "The Same Junk" As Everyone Else For Christmas, And Other Highlights From His Reddit AMA

Posted: 24 Dec 2012 02:02 PM PST

Instead of enjoying family time, Dallas Mavericks owner Mark Cuban spent Christmas Eve online. The outspoken billionaire jumped on Reddit to take and answer questions on topics that ranged from basketball to entrepreneurship to the holiday lifestyle of the super-wealthy.

Amazon AWS Takes Down Netflix On Christmas Eve

Posted: 24 Dec 2012 01:46 PM PST

For the third time this year, problems with Amazon's AWS  in Northern Virginia has knocked several websites and services offline, including Netflix. According to AWS' Service Health Dashboard, problems began at 1:50 PM PST, and as of 5:49 PM, the company is continuing "to work on resolving issues with the Elastic Load Balancing Service in [...]

Japan's policy veteran Motegi likely to serve as trade minister: media

Posted: 24 Dec 2012 06:00 PM PST

TOKYO (Reuters) - Incoming Japan Prime Minister Shinzo Abe is likely to pick policy veteran Toshimitsu Motegi as trade minister, who will also take charge of energy and other key economic policies, media reported on Tuesday. Motegi, 57, a former policy affairs chief for the Liberal Democratic Party (LDP), will tackle energy problems after last year's Fukushima nuclear crisis, as well as issues such as the U.S.-led Trans-Pacific Partnership (TPP) free trade pact, public broadcaster NHK said. ...

Bush Sr remains hospitalised for fever

Posted: 24 Dec 2012 10:25 PM PST

Former US President George H.W. Bush will spend Christmas Day in hospital after a month-long bronchitis-like cough.

U.N. approves new debate on arms treaty opposed by U.S. gun lobby

Posted: 24 Dec 2012 06:13 PM PST

UNITED NATIONS (Reuters) - The U.N. General Assembly voted overwhelmingly on Monday to restart negotiations on a draft international treaty to regulate the $70 billion global trade in conventional arms, a pact the powerful U.S. National Rifle Association has been lobbying hard against.

Last-minute holiday idea: Do-it-yourself Japanese-style gift wrapping

Last-minute holiday idea: Do-it-yourself Japanese-style gift wrapping


Last-minute holiday idea: Do-it-yourself Japanese-style gift wrapping

Posted: 24 Dec 2012 12:37 PM PST

If you suddenly find yourself realizing that you've forgotten a Christmas gift, don't worry, your favorite world news blog has you covered. We previously published our ultimate gift guide for foreign affairs lovers and world travelers, but many of the items could be tough to secure on short notice. Fortunately, you can use two easily attainable items wrapping paper and a bottle of something special to put together a memorable, worldly present.

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Captain Clarke doubtful for Test

Posted: 24 Dec 2012 11:22 AM PST

Australia captain Michael Clarke is struggling to be fit for the Boxing Day Test against Sri Lanka because of a hamstring injury.

Thirteen killed in Mexico 'gang shootout'

Posted: 24 Dec 2012 12:42 PM PST

Six others gravely wounded following gunfight between police and unidentified assailants in Mexican state of Jalisco.

Avoid 'plebgate' witch hunt - Tory

Posted: 24 Dec 2012 12:26 PM PST

Tory vice-chairman Michael Fabricant says police should not face a "witch hunt" after the "plebgate" row involving ex-party chief whip Andrew Mitchell.

With a Parent at War, a Holiday Deepens the Isolation

Posted: 24 Dec 2012 12:30 PM PST

The high school at Fort Campbell, Ky., offers a window into the pain, pride and resentments felt by the families of the all-volunteer military force over 11 years of war.

Russian prosecutors seek innocent verdict in Magnitsky's death

Posted: 24 Dec 2012 11:51 AM PST

MOSCOW (Reuters) - Russian prosecutors on Monday dropped their accusations against the only person being tried in connection with the prison death of anti-corruption lawyer Sergei Magnitsky, asking a court to find a former prison official not guilty.

China school bus crash kills 11 children

Posted: 24 Dec 2012 12:02 PM PST

An overloaded van carrying kindergarten students plunges into roadside pond in rural Jiangxi province.

Gaza Cease-Fire Expands Fishing Area, but Risks Remain

Posted: 24 Dec 2012 01:11 PM PST

The deal that halted fighting between Israel and Hamas allows fishermen to go six nautical miles out to sea, instead of three, but arrests by Israeli patrols are still possible.

ArtsBeat: A Video Gamer Surveys the Virtual Carnage

Posted: 24 Dec 2012 11:07 AM PST

Episodes like the school killings in Connecticut put an unflattering spotlight on the year in video games.

China school bus crash kills 11 children

Posted: 24 Dec 2012 12:02 PM PST

An overloaded van carrying kindergarten students plunges into roadside pond in rural Jiangxi province.

Eight fascinating facts about Christmas in China

Posted: 24 Dec 2012 11:21 AM PST

I once took a friend, about to return home to China after several years in the United States, on what I thought would be a uniquely American tour of Colonial Williamsburg in Virginia. We stopped in, on her request, at one of the specialized stores that sells only Christmas-related knickknacks. As she poked through the Santa ornaments and engraved placards, I asked her what Christmas was like in China. She sighed, inspecting a porcelain Frosty the Snowman. "It's too commercial."

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Kuwait urges Iran to address worries on nuclear plant

Posted: 24 Dec 2012 11:37 AM PST

MANAMA (Reuters) - Kuwait urged neighboring Iran on Monday to cooperate more with the U.N. nuclear watchdog to allay Gulf Arab concerns about the safety of an Iranian nuclear power plant that lies just across the waterway from the emirate.

Turkey lifts objection to NATO cooperation with Israel

Posted: 24 Dec 2012 10:51 AM PST

ANKARA (Reuters) - Turkey has given approval for Israel to participate in non-military NATO activities in 2013, withdrawing an earlier objection driven by an ongoing dispute between the former regional allies, a Turkish official said on Monday.

Iran slams Canada for delisting rebel group

Posted: 24 Dec 2012 09:15 AM PST

Canada joins the US and EU in removing former armed group Mujahedeen-e-Khalq from its "terrorist blacklist".

California Manufacturers Weigh Costs of New Greenhouse Gas Rules

Posted: 24 Dec 2012 11:31 AM PST

Beginning Jan. 1, companies in California will begin to pay for greenhouse gas emissions, which trap heat and contribute to global warming.

Two drone strikes kill five in Yemen: officials

Posted: 24 Dec 2012 10:34 AM PST

SANAA/ADEN (Reuters) - At least five people were killed in two drone strikes in south Yemen on Monday in what security and local officials said were attacks on suspected al Qaeda-linked insurgents.

The girl the Taliban wanted dead

Posted: 24 Dec 2012 06:25 AM PST

The Pakistani teen blogger simply wanted to get an education at all costs. Before long, she was the global symbol of empowerment for young women.

Crackdown after gang rape outrage

Posted: 24 Dec 2012 06:23 AM PST

Police locked down New Delhi's key government district ahead of Monday's visit by Russian President Vladimir Putin, after two days of pitched street battles following the gang rape of a woman on a bus.

Ship crew held for 1,000 days rescued off coast of Yemen

Posted: 24 Dec 2012 06:13 AM PST

They were trapped at sea for 1,000 days, held on their own ship by Somali pirates off the coast of Yemen.

U.N. envoy meets with president

Posted: 24 Dec 2012 06:37 AM PST

With the carnage in Syria reaching unimaginable levels, U.N. peace envoy Lakhdar Brahimi met with Syria's president Monday in hopes of making headway in ending the country's civil war.