Main News of January 9

A roundup of what has happened in the past 24 hours

WORLD

* A commuter ferry in New York City crashed into a pier Wednesday morning, injuring more than 50 people, including two critically, local officials said

* Venezuela's Supreme Court ruled to postpone President Hugo Chavez's inauguration until after he completes a course of treatment for cancer

* Over 2.5 million people in Syria are going hungry with food shortages on the rise across the war-torn country

RUSSIA

* Opponents of a law banning US nationals from adopting Russian children were granted permission on Wednesday to hold a protest march in central Moscow on January 13, officials and rally organizers said

* Russian President Vladimir Putin submitted a bill to Russia’s lower house of parliament that would introduce criminal liability for Russians and foreigners who violate certain rules for registering at their place of residence

* Russian President Vladimir Putin submitted a bill to parliament containing a raft of strict measures aimed at stamping out match-fixing

BUSINESS

* Tehran is planning to build a gas pipeline to Iraq and Syria, the Iranian Oil Ministry said