World news: Jet crashes in flames as fog lights fail

A PASSENGER jet crashed in heavy fog and burst into flames on a main road in north-western Russia, just short of a runway whose fog lights had failed, killing 44 people. Eight people survived.

The Tu-134 plane, belonging to the RusAir airline, was on its way from Moscow to the city of Petrozavodsk, officials said.

Forty-four people were killed in last night's crash. The eight survivors, include a ten-year-old boy.

Greek PM in crucial vote as debt default looms

Greece's embattled prime minister is facing a vital confidence vote today amid escalating protests over the country's austerity measures.

Meanwhile the nation was hit by a wave of power cuts as employees at Greece's main power utility began 48-hour rolling strikes to protest at the company's privatisation, part of the austerity plans needed to avoid a national debt default.

The sale of state assets in the power company is a major step in a 43.8 billion privatisation drive that must be completed by 2015.

The highly unpopular austerity plans, include more tax increases and spending cuts that must be passed by parliament by the end of the month if Greece is to get the next 12 billion euro instalment of its 110 billion euro (97.2bn) bailout next month.

The troubled Socialist government is also struggling to make up for continuing budget shortfalls.

Without the funds, Greece will be unable to pay its debts as of the middle of July, triggering a default that would rock financial markets in Europe and abroad.

The power company, DEH, said nine small and large thermoelectric units were already off-line as of yesterday morning because of the strike.

Tributes to Jackass star Ryan

Colleagues and TV chiefs have paid tribute to Jackass daredevil Ryan Dunn, who perished in a fireball car crash.

Dunn, 34, famous for his vulgar stunts, was driving his 2007 Porsche in suburban Philadelphia early yesterday when it crashed into woods and burst into flames.

Journalist is shot dead

A JOURNALIST, his wife, and their 21-year-old son have been shot dead inside their home in the Mexican city of Veracruz.

Journalist Miguel Angel Lopez Velasco and his family were shot yesterday with a 9mm handgun, said state prosecutors.

Lopez Velasco, 55, wrote a column about politics and crime and was editorial director for the daily newspaper Notiver. His son, Misael Lopez, had been working as a photographer for the same newspaper.

Suicide car bombs kill 22

Iraqi officials say 22 people were killed when two explosives-laden vehicles driven by suicide bombers blew up near a government compound south of Baghdad.

A police officer and two medical officials in Diwaniyah said the bombers blew themselves up near a compound housing the governor's office this morning.

Penguin way off course

A YOUNG Antarctic Emperor penguin has taken a rare wrong turn and ended up on a New Zealand beach.

Emperor penguins typically spend their entire lives in Antarctica and almost never make landfall near humans. It has been 44 years since a wild Emperor penguin was last sighted in New Zealand.