Laos

Plane crash kills at least 44

An aircraft crashed into the Mekong river in Laos on Wednesday and 44 people were killed, media reported. A Lao Airlines plane on an internal flight from Vientiane to the south of the country, crashed into the Mekong in the late afternoon, Xinhua News Agency reported, citing the airline. A television station in neighboring Thailand said 44 people had been killed. Airline and government officials in Laos were not immediately available for comment.

China

Meeting not tied to 6-Party Talks

China on Wednesday said an international meeting in Seoul has nothing to do with the Six-Party Talks on Korean nuclear issues. "As I know, a meeting on cyberspace will take place in Seoul from Thursday to Friday, aiming at discussing cyberspace issues and promoting international cooperation," Foreign Ministry spokeswoman Hua Chunying said. "The meeting has nothing to do with the Six-Party Talks," Hua said.

Syria

Explosion claims 21 lives

A blast ripped through a pickup truck on Wednesday in southern Syria, killing 21 people in the latest attack on civilians in the country's raging war, adding urgency to international efforts to convene peace talks. A truck was passing through an area of Daraa province in southern Syria where troops loyal to the Syrian government are stationed when it was struck by a blast, observers said.

Australia

Kangaroo closes part of airport

An injured kangaroo shut down part of Melbourne Airport on Wednesday after it hopped through the busy terminal and into a drug store. Police in the southeastern Australian city secured the store before wildlife workers tranquilized and captured the animal.

United Kingdom

Murderers lose battle for vote

Two convicted murderers serving life sentences in Britain on Wednesday lost their Supreme Court bid to win the right to vote while in jail. Britain's highest court dismissed appeals brought by Peter Chester, who was convicted of raping and strangling his 7-year-old niece, and George McGeoch. Prime Minister David Cameron welcomed the unanimous decision as "a great victory for common sense".

Russia

Dutch diplomat beaten in capital

A Dutch diplomat was beaten up in his Moscow flat by unknown intruders, a week after Russia complained one of its envoys had been assaulted at his home in the Netherlands, the Dutch foreign ministry said on Wednesday. The ministry said it would ask Russia to explain the incident.

Reuters - Xinhua - AFP

(China Daily 10/17/2013 page11)