ANCHORAGE,

ALASKA

Two small planes collided in midair along a narrow and treacherous mountain corridor in Alaska in a crash that marked an extraordinarily rare event: No one was injured. "It is extremely unusual," Federal Aviation Administration spokesman Mike Fergus said Monday. "It is almost unheard of."

The near-tragedy occurred Sunday afternoon as a Piper Navajo and Cessna 206 floatplane were flying directly toward each other in Lake Clark Pass -- a narrow river valley that runs between Anchorage mountains. The Cessna hit the top of the Piper's tail with his floats, officials said. The planes sustained some minor damage but were able to land safely in Anchorage. The nine people aboard the Piper Navajo and the four in the Cessna 206 floatplane had no idea they were about to collide in the passage. NEWARK, N.J.

Stun gun discovered on jet after arrival

A cellphone-size stun gun found by a cleaning crew aboard a JetBlue plane arriving from Boston didn't appear intended to be used in an attack, authorities said Monday.

Authorities would not identify the passenger assigned to the seat where the device was found in a seat-back pocket, but the FBI said it wasn't a law enforcement official and Federal air marshals don't carry the devices. An investigation is under way. There were no indications it had been fired.

RIVERSIDE, CALIF.

County official seeks split of California

Thirteen mostly conservative California counties would break away to create a 51st state known as South California under a proposal by an elected official that would have to clear major hurdles to succeed.

Republican Jeff Stone has asked fellow members of the Riverside County Board of Supervisors to support a motion to bring together officials from the 13 counties to discuss the idea. A vote on the proposed meeting is scheduled for today.

TEGUCIGALPA, HONDURAS

2 U.S. tourists among10 dead in bus crash

A bus crash in Honduras near the famed Mayan ruins of Copan has killed 10 people, including two Americans, and injured 25.

Also among the dead are a Canadian, three Salvadorans and three Hondurans. Another victim has yet to be identified. The U.S. Embassy in Honduras says two other Americans are among the injured, but could not provide any further details on the victims.

KAZAN, RUSSIA

At least 40 kids among129 dead in sinking

An aging cruise ship built to hold 120 people was severely overcrowded, had a malfunctioning engine and listed to one side before it sank in heavy wind and rain on the Volga River east of Moscow, killing 129 people, Russian officials said Monday.

Baby sitters had gathered children together in an activity room to play during the storm, but the room became a sealed container when the boat sank. At least 40 children were killed as they could not break out. On Monday, divers were bringing the dead to the surface one by one.

MARI, CYPRUS

Gunpowder blast kills 12, cuts power

Dozens of containers of gunpowder seized years ago from an Iranian cargo ship exploded on Cyprus' main naval base Monday in a massive blast that killed 12 people, wounded 62 and wrecked a major power station, causing extensive blackouts.

The head of the island nation's navy, Commodore Andreas Ioannides, was killed and its defense minister and military chief resigned. Ioannides' son claimed top officials had repeatedly ignored his father's warnings that the gunpowder was stored unsafely.

DHAKA, BANGLADESH

Truck crash kills 44, mostly schoolboys

A cargo truck packed with schoolboys returning home from a soccer match crashed into a canal in southeastern Bangladesh on Monday, killing 44 passengers, police said.

The driver fled and was being sought for arrest, police said.

-- Post wire services