These figures suggest Venezuela's murder rate is now four times that of Mexico where drug-related violence has made headlines around the world. It's also four times higher than when President Hugo Chavez took power in 1999. But while few Venezuelans would deny that violent crime is soaring, explaining why is much harder. Experts pointed a social breakdown, enduring inequality, drug trafficking and the easy availability of illegal fire arms.
Environmentalists in Tanzania say they are strongly opposed to the proposed construction of a new railway that would cut through the world famous Serengeti National Park. A spokesman for Tanzania's Lawyers' Environmental Action Team * there told the BBC that the railway would have a serious impact on the annual migration of wild beast and destroy the ecosystem.
Serengeti is not only a national park, it is a complete migration of animals. If the railway or road, or highway is going to be constructed, will have very very severe effects to the migration of animals.
Palestinian police armed with batons and shields have broken up a brawl between rival priests at the Church of the Nativity in Bethlehem. About 100 Greek Orthodox and Armenian Apostolic clerics fought with brooms as they cleaned the church in preparation for the Orthodox Christmas. There've been frequent scuffles in the past between the various Christian denominations which share the administration of the church. It was built over the spot where Christians believe which Jesus was born.