Report: Myanmar set to ink int'l energy contracts

YANGON, Myanmar (AP) -- Myanmar's state oil firm is set to sign contracts with companies from China, Singapore and South Korea for oil and gas exploration, state media reported Saturday.

The state-run New Light of Myanmar newspaper noted the upcoming deals in a report on a "special projects implementation meeting" headed by President Thein Sein on Friday in the capital, Naypyitaw. The report cited Energy Minister Than Htay saying Myanmar will cooperate with foreign companies for oil and gas exploration.

The newspaper said Myanma Oil and Gas Enterprise will sign contracts with China's North Petro-Chem Corporation Ltd for onshore oil and gas exploration.

4 missing after blast at Czech explosives plant

PRAGUE (AP) -- A huge nitroglycerine explosion occurred at a factory in the Czech Republic on Wednesday, leaving nine people injured and four missing, officials said.

The blast destroyed one building at the plant and smashed windows in a large area around the facility, which makes explosives for customers including the Czech military, said firefighter spokeswoman Vendula Horakova.

Rescue service spokeswoman Helena Skuligova said it was unlikely that the four missing plant employees could have survived the blast.

Rio police fail to catch gang leaders in operation

RIO DE JANEIRO (AP) -- About 200 police entered Rio de Janeiro's largest slum Tuesday, hoping to capture one of the city's most wanted drug kingpins.

Instead, after 12 hours of searching and not firing a single shot, police said they had rounded up 11 suspected foot soldiers for the drug gang that rules the Rocinha slum.

Police found about 3 tons of marijuana and confiscated nearly 60 stolen cars and 17,000 pieces of pirated goods such as movies and software. But they failed to capture any major leaders of the "Amigos dos Amigos," or Friends of the Friends, drug gang in the shantytown where more than 100,000 people live, police said in a statement. Police had been looking in particular for Antonio Lopes, known on the street as "Nem," who controls gang activities in Rocinha.

2 protesters arrested at IMF/World Bank event

WASHINGTON (AP) -- Two protesters have been arrested during weekend demonstrations of the spring meetings of the International Monetary Fund and World Bank.

Jeffrey Light, a lawyer for the activists, says one demonstrator was arrested for alleged destruction of property and the other for disorderly conduct. He says both have been released.

The demonstrators marched around downtown Washington on Saturday afternoon and then attended a concert at night. An additional march was planned for downtown late Saturday into early Sunday morning.

A Consumer's Head to Health Care Overtake

The six-month day of remembrance] of the enactment of the health care overtake, a lot of the law's provisions will be effective. Most consumers, however, will not ensure whatever alterations till later on January 1, once their recently health insurance plan class gets.

Meantime, employees will be having prepare for drops "open registration" point, once they pick their health coverage for the being class. Additionally, folks who purchase their possess health insurance will be searching their selections. Medicare donees will be able to modify their coverage late these class if they want.

Here's a look at how the law affects people who get their coverage at work, buy their own health insurance or are enrolled in Medicare.