Egypt: Thirteen Dead In Pro-Morsi Protests

At least 13 people have been killed in Egypt after Mohamed Morsi supporters clashed with police and opponents.

Violence broke out after thousands of people loyal to the deposed president demonstrated ahead of a new hearing in Morsi's trial, to be held on Wednesday.

Five people were killed in Cairo, said a health ministry statement, and the rest died in other cities including Alexandria, Ismailiya and Fayoum.

More than 120 people were arrested for carrying weapons and at least 57 were wounded nationwide as police used tear gas and birdshot to break up the demonstrations.

Protesters in Cairo threw rocks, petrol bombs and fireworks at police during street battles.

Petrol bombs and fireworks were reportedly thrown by demonstrators

The capital's main squares, the site of violent clashes in the past, had been sealed off in advance by barbed wire and military vehicles.

Mohamed Morsi, an Islamist who came to power in democratic elections, was removed by a military coup in July 2013.

He now faces charges of inciting the killing of protesters when he was in power and is also accused over a jailbreak during the 2011 uprising that ousted former president Hosni Mubarak.

His Muslim Brotherhood movement was declared a terrorist organisation in December after Egypt's current rulers blamed it for a car bomb that killed 15 people.

It is now illegal to belong to the group or finance it.

The military says Mohamed Morsi incited the killing of protesters

The crackdown has increased tensions in a country suffering the worst internal strife of its modern history.

More than 1,000 Morsi supporters are estimated to have been killed in fighting since he was overthrown and thousands have been jailed.

Around 350 police and security officials have also died in attacks.

Tensions are also high ahead of a referendum on a new constitution later this month which would give the military more power and ban political parties based around religion.

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Schumacher: Friend Claims German 'Out Of Danger'

A camera reportedly attached to Michael Schumacher's helmet is being looked at in the hope it will reveal more about the circumstances of his skiing accident.

Authorities are examining the device and are also questioning Schumacher's son, who was with him when he crashed, according to French news agency AFP.

Small helmet-mounted cameras have become popular for filming extreme sports in recent years.

Fans show their support outside the hospital treating the injured driver

It comes after friend Philippe Strieff told reporters outside the hospital on Friday that the German's life was no longer in danger.

He said: "I'm not a doctor, I'm repeating what Gerard Saillant (surgeon and friend of the Schumacher family) told me.

"Gerard Saillant said it is a serious condition but his life is not in danger anymore now, thankfully."

However, no official statement has been made by the hospital or Schumacher's representatives to confirm those claims.

Philippe, a fan from Lyon, waves a flag featuring an image of Schumacher

Meanwhile, Schumacher's family have said they were "utterly overwhelmed" and "moved to tears" by fans' silent vigil to mark the Formula One legend's 45th birthday.

On the driver's official website the family said: "The incredible sympathies shown today by the Ferrari Fans outside the hospital has utterly overwhelmed us and moved us all to tears.

"We are deeply grateful for it and also for all the heartwarming and heartfelt wishes for Michael to get well soon, which have reached us from all over the world."

Corinna Schumacher arrives to visit her husband

The seven-times F1 world champion has been in Grenoble University Hospital since suffering critical head injuries in a skiing accident in the French Alps on Sunday.

His father Rolf and brother Ralf arrived separately to visit him on Friday. His wife Corinna and children Gina-Maria, 16, and 14-year-old Mick are also at his bedside.

The Ferrari team, for which he spent many years racing, bussed in scores of fans from Italy and France to the hospital.

It put a message on its website, saying "Forza Michael," or "Go Michael" in Italian.

"He is tackling the most important fight of his life and therefore we want to send him very special wishes," said Schumacher's old team, as similar messages poured in from around the world.

Rolf (left) and Ralf Schumacher arrive at the hospital

German former tennis ace Boris Becker wished his compatriot "Happy Birthday" on Twitter, adding "Fight Schumi" in a German hashtag.

Schumacher slammed his head against a rock on Sunday while skiing near Meribel and has had two operations to remove bleeding and pressure on his brain.

He is being kept in an induced coma and the latest health update given by his manager on Wednesday described his condition as stable but still critical.

Fans show their support outside the hospital treating the injured driver

Accountant Stefano Pini, 47, who arrived at the hospital from Milan to pay tribute, said: "Schumi has given us a lot in the past.

"The least we could do is to come here and support him and his family on his birthday."

French fan Gabriel Klose, who turned up with his 12-year-old son, said: "He is one of my greatest idols. We want him to fight and to return to us."

However, the Ferrari tribute also created controversy.

Some have accused the Italian racing giant - which asked fans to sport its trademark colour red and its insignia - of exceeding the limits of good taste.

The carmaker, which has 130 clubs in Europe, provided about 20 coaches across Italy to bus in fans for the vigil.

But Roberto Luongo, president of the Roma-Colesseo Ferrari club, said he did not want to be associated with an event linked to "a man who is suffering".

"It's very delicate and if I was among those who are close to Michael, such an initiative would not have pleased me," he said.

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Obesity Rates Balloon In Developing World

The number of overweight and obese people has reached almost one billion in the developing world - overtaking rates in industrialised countries, a report has found.

The report by the UK's Overseas Development Institute said the number of obese people has more than tripled in the developing world since 1980.

In 2008, more than 900 million people in poor countries were classed as overweight compared with around 550 million in high-income countries - almost twice as many.

Steve Wiggins, the report's author, said: "The statistics are quite sensational, it is a tripling of the number of people who are considered overweight and obese in the developing world since 1980. That takes the number to more than 900 million and that is more than the number of overweight and obese people that we have in the high income countries, which is probably around 570 million, something like that.

"It is a very rapidly emerging problem and it is now of a very large size."

Rates of obesity are still rising in richer countries, but not at the same rate as in the developing world.

Obesity rates in China have almost doubled since 1980

Two countries with particularly high obesity rates are China and Mexico, where the numbers of overweight people have almost doubled since 1980.

In South Africa, obesity has risen by a third and now has a higher rate than the UK.

North Africa, the Middle East and Latin America all have similar overweight and obesity rates to Europe.

Explaining the developing world's obesity epidemic, Mr Wiggins said: "It is associated with incomes and urbanisation and a more sedentary lifestyle, so it is those emerging countries which have done the best at raising their incomes.

"It's the middle income countries, it is the Chinas, it is the Mexicos, which are the countries which are seeing the highest rates of overweight and obesity at the moment."

The report predicts that if current rates continue there will be a huge increase in people suffering certain types of cancer, diabetes, strokes and heart attacks.

It also warns that governments are not doing enough to tackle the crisis, partly due to politicians' reluctance to interfere at the dinner table, the powerful farming and food lobbies and "a large gap" in public awareness as to what constitutes a healthy diet.

Countries singled out for praise in tackling obesity are Denmark and South Korea.

In Denmark, laws against trans-fatty acids have made Danish McDonalds among the healthiest in the world, while in South Korea the government launched a large-scale public education campaign 20 years ago which has turned around obesity rates.

Mr Wiggins said: "A few decades ago the government of Korea said we must encourage our traditional foods, which are low in fats and oils, high in vegetables, high in sea food and so on. And there was a lot of public education, a lot of training and a sense that Korean food is good for you."

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Schumacher: Ferrari Mark F1 Driver's Birthday

Michael Schumacher's family have thanked the public for their support as he remains in a coma following a skiing accident.

The Formula One driver turns 45 today in his hospital bed in Grenoble after suffering critical head injuries in the French Alps on Sunday.

The Ferrari team which he spent many years racing for announced it would hold a "silent gathering" in front of the hospital to mark his birthday.

Jean Todt, former head of the team, visited his bedside on Thursday along with his wife Corinna, their children Gina-Maria, 16, and 14-year-old Mick, his father and brother.

Arsenal striker Lukas Podolski sends a message with team-mates

Schumacher has had two operations to remove bleeding and swelling on his brain and is in an induced medical coma.

A statement from his family on his website said: "Following Michael's skiing accident, we would like to thank the people from all around the world who have expressed their sympathy and sent their best wishes for his recovery. They are giving us great support.

"We all know he is a fighter and will not give up. Thank you."

A source close to the investigation into his crash said his helmet had been smashed "in two" by the impact after he hit his head on a rock on an off-piste section at the popular Meribel ski resort.

The German was injured while skiing off piste in Meribel, France

Prosecutors have opened a probe into the accident, which is common practice in France in such cases, and are exploring the theory that the German was skiing at great speed when he fell.

The accident has led to an outpouring of sympathy from racing drivers and fans alike.

Brazilian racer Felipe Massa, German Chancellor Angela Merkel, and Arsenal footballers are among the many public figures who have sent messages of support.

But his manager has said there have been "constant attempts" to get access to him as he lies in an induced coma.

Sabine Kehm has confirmed that security at the hospital had stopped a journalist posing as a priest from getting into his room.

The German driver is the most successful in Formula One history, racking up a record 91 race wins and seven world titles.

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Chaparrastique Volcano Spills Smoke And Ash

Authorities in El Salvador have evacuated an area near the Chaparrastique volcano after the mountain fired hot ash and gas three miles into the air.

Civil Defence Director Jorge Melendez said a yellow alert had been issued and investigators had been sent to the area to look for signs of fresh lava.

The Chaparrastique volcano rises some 7,025 feet into the sky

"We have implemented emergency measures to evacuate villages located within three kilometres of the volcano," he said.

Shelters have been set up for the evacuees but some locals have refused to leave their homes.

Assistant Health Minister Eduardo Espinoza said two people had been treated at hospitals for respiratory problems apparently linked to the eruption

There were no reports of serious injuries caused by the eruption

But he said there were no serious cases.

"We are providing assistance to people evacuating, and we are asking them to protect themselves against the gases, which can affect the respiratory tract," he said.

A spokesman for El Salvador's Red Cross, Carlos Lopez Mendoza, described the eruption as a "quite strong explosion".

The volcano, which rises some 7,025 feet into the air, last erupted in 1976. It is about 90 miles east of San Salvador.

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Reports: At Least 10 Dead In Russia Bus Blast

At least 10 people have been killed in an explosion on an electric bus in the Russian city of Volgograd, according to reports.

It comes just a day after a female suicide bomber was blamed for killing 15 people and leaving dozens more injured the city's main railway station.

Police identified the bomber as a Dagestan national called Oksana Aslanova - who had been married to two Islamists killed by Russian forces.

Security has been stepped up at train stations and airports

She apparently detonated a bomb in front of a metal detector inside the main entrance of the station. Russian television is suggesting there may have been two attackers.

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YouTube Videos Add To Missing Doctor Mystery

YouTube videos of a doctor who disappeared three weeks ago talking to an unidentified love interest are being examined by investigators searching for her.

Teleka Patrick, who was serving her residency in Michigan, was last seen on December 5.

After completing a shift, the 30-year-old tried unsuccessfully to rent a hotel room in Kalamazoo before being dropped off by the hotel shuttle driver in the car park of the medical centre where she worked, according to the FBI.

"The shuttle driver said she seemed nervous, even ducking down between vehicles, as if she was afraid of being seen by someone," Carl Clatterbuck, a private investigator hired by the family, said.

"I would say she was agitated, but if she was worried about something or someone, she never told anyone about it."

Later that night, Dr Patrick's car was found about 100 miles away, abandoned in a ditch in Indiana with a possible flat tyre, the FBI said.

Her belongings were in the car, including clothing, a wallet that contained her driver's licence, credit cards, and a small amount of cash.

The YouTube videos, which show Dr Patrick singing and speaking to the unidentified love interest, were uploaded in early November.

In one of them she addresses someone as "baby" and "love" while in the other she shows two plates of breakfast.

But her parents said their emergence created more confusion about the situation. 

"We are aware of the YouTube videos that have surfaced today. However, their relevance to her disappearance remains a mystery," they said.

"These videos have led to more questions than answers. To our knowledge, Teleka was not in a romantic relationship and it is unclear to whom she is making reference in the videos."

Dr Patrick has bought an airline ticket to Florida to visit her parents for Christmas and was supposed to join them on December 23.

Her disappearance is being investigated by police in two states as well as the FBI.

A Facebook page has been created in an attempt to help track her down.

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Canada Ice Storm: Thousands Without Power

Thousands of households have been left without power in Toronto after a severe ice storm blanketed much of Canada.

Power companies have been working around the clock to restore electricity, moving from house to house and clearing broken branches and wires.

Ontario Premier Kathleen Wynne said crews from outside Toronto had been called in to help clean up after the storm.

"This has been a very unusual situation," she said.

"I understand there are 250 of the Toronto Hydro and other hydro service bucket trucks out right now working with back-up crews, and as you all know there are crews from other jurisdictions.

Workers restore power to homes in suburban Toronto

"I've met people from Kingston who have come here, people from Manitoba who have come in order to help with the clean-up."

Local media has reported that some 30,000 households in Ontario and New Brunswick remain without electricity, including 18,000 homes in Toronto alone.

There are concerns that warmer temperatures and gusty winds could cause fresh power outages as melting ice and falling branches threaten to snap power lines.

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