World Digest: Plane Crash in Iran Kills All 168 On Board

IRAN

Plane Crash Kills 168

A Russian-made jetliner carrying 168 people nose-dived into a field after taking off from the Iranian capital, Tehran, on Wednesday in a fiery crash that shredded the aircraft and killed everyone aboard -- Iran's worst air disaster in six years. Witnesses said the plane's tail was on fire before it went down.

It was the latest in a string of deadly crashes in recent years that have highlighted Iran's difficulties in maintaining its aging fleet of planes.

-- Associated Press

HONDURAS

Micheletti Makes Offer

Honduras's interim leader said Wednesday he is willing to step down to help end his country's political crisis, but only if the ousted president, Manuel Zelaya, isn't allowed to regain power.

Roberto Micheletti also accused unspecified groups of planning an armed rebellion, and his government reinstated an overnight curfew. The move came a day after Zelaya called for an insurrection in Honduras.

Micheletti said he was willing to leave office "if at some point that decision is needed to bring peace and tranquillity to the country, but without the return, and I stress this, of former president Zelaya."

-- Associated Press

PAKISTAN

Clashes Erupt in Swat

Pakistan's military sought to reassure refugees returning to the war-scarred Swat Valley that the security situation there is under control, despite fighting between government troops and militants in the region that killed up to 14 people Wednesday.