■ United States
Battles rage over greetings
Ebenezer Scrooge would enjoy Christmas in the US this year. Drowning out the sounds of sleigh bells ringing and children singing are the sounds of arguing. At issue is how to greet people, how to decorate main street and how to sell gifts -- all without offending someone. Religious conservatives are threatening lawsuits and boycotts to insist that store clerks and advertisements say "Merry Christmas." Countering are those who argue they are being inclusive and inoffensive with the secular "Happy Holidays."
■ Venezuela
Radioactive capsule stolen
The government on Monday warned of a radiation hazard and launched a nationwide search for a capsule with highly radioactive material that was stolen along with the truck carrying it. "We have a state of emergency at a national and regional level and are looking for the capsule everywhere," civil defense director Colonel Antonio Rivero said. The truck was stolen in the central-western Yaracuy state on Sunday night, officials said. Angel Diaz, director of nuclear affairs at Venezuela's Energy Ministry, asked the thieves to return the potentially deadly device. Diaz said he could not rule out the use of the capsule for "malicious purposes."
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