The world in brief QUOTE OF THE DAY

“It’s really good

news. It clearly

testifies that our

country has the capability to enter into space.” North Korean citizen Jon Il Gwang, as Pyongyang residents celebrated the launch of the country’s first satellite in space Article, this page

Ill Chavez called iffy for swearing-in

CARACAS, Venezuela - Venezuelan President Hugo Chavez is facing a “complex” recovery from cancer surgery and may not be well again in time to be sworn in for a third term next month, Information Minister Ernesto Villegas said.

“We trust that, with the love of millions, the comandante will recover soon and take command before Jan. 10,” Villegas said, referring to the scheduled inauguration date for Chavez’s third term. “But if that’s not the case, people should be ready to understand.

It would be irresponsible to hide the delicacy of the current situation and the days that lie ahead.”

Chavez in Cuba on Tuesday underwent his fourth surgery in 18 months for an undisclosed form of cancer, after telling Venezuelans they should vote for Vice President Nicolas Maduro in case he’s forced to step down after 14 years in power.

Maduro didn’t provide updated information on Chavez’s health after saying Tuesday night that the six-hour operation had been successful.

Germany affirms male circumcision

BERLIN - German lawmakers approved a bill Wednesday that explicitly permits male infant circumcision, ending months of legal uncertainty after a court ruling that the practice amounts to bodily harm led to an outcry from Jewish and Muslim groups.

Germany’s government moved swiftly to draft a law after the Cologne regional court decision in June. The ruling didn’t amount to a ban but raised fears of possible prosecutions.

The head of Germany’s main Jewish group expressed relief at the vote, which passed with 434 lawmakers in favor, 100 against and 46 abstaining.

“The circumcision law finally restores legal certainty,” said Dieter Graumann, the head of Germany’s Central Council of Jews.

Pope’s 1st Tweet reaches 1 million

VATICAN CITY - Pope Benedict XVI hit the 1 million Twitter follower mark Wednesday as he sent his first Tweet from his new account, blessing his online fans and urging them to listen to Christ.

In perhaps the most drawn-out Twitter launch ever, the 85-year-old Benedict tapped the screen of a tablet handed to him at the end of his general audience after the equivalent of a papal drum roll by an announcer who intoned: “And now the pope will Tweet!”

“Dear friends, I am pleased to get in touch with you through Twitter.

Thank you for your generous response. I bless all of you from my heart,” the inaugural Tweet read.

At around the same time the message was sent, the number of followers of Benedict’s @Pontifex accounts surpassed the 1 million mark, with all eight languages of the pope’s account combined.

Front Section, Pages 6 on 12/13/2012

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