Killed on holiday

London, Jan. 2: A 22-year-old British holidaymaker has been shot dead as he celebrated the new year at one of Thailand’s most popular party islands.

Stephen Ashton, from southeast London, apparently became caught in crossfire between rival gangs. He was hit by a stray bullet as he danced with friends on Koh Phangan, police said.

Fatal click

Los Angeles (PTI): A photographer in Los Angeles died on being hit by a car while trying to take snaps of singer Justin Bieber’s Ferrari. The 18-year-old Canadian singer, who was not in the Ferrari when the accident took place, said: “My thoughts and prayers are with the family of the victim.”

Chavez health

Caracas (Reuters): Venezuelan President Hugo Chavez is aware that his condition is complicated following a fourth cancer operation in Cuba, Vice-President Nicolas Maduro has said.

Russia oil

Moscow (Reuters): More crude oil from Russian government-owned top producer Rosneft kept the country’s oil output the highest in the world last year, ahead of Saudi Arabia, energy ministry data showed on Wednesday.

Savile arrests

London (Reuters): Detectives investigating the alleged sex crimes centred on the late BBC television star Jimmy Savile said they have arrested two more men.