Search on for missing cargo plane

A search was on Wednesday in Russia's Far East for a cargo plane that crashed with 11 aboard, officials said, denying reports its wreckage had been found.

Russia's Emergencies Ministry said it had renewed its search for the Antonov An-12 that was carrying more than 17 tons of food supplies when it crashed Tuesday, RIA Novosti reported.

The report said the plane disappeared from radar shortly after reporting a fuel leak and fire in an engine following take off from the city of Magadan for Chukotka early Tuesday.

The agency had reported the wreckage had been found near a gold and silver mining operation in the Omsukcha district. However, it quoted the Russian Federal Air Transport Agency as saying the remains of the passengers and crew had not been found.

Authorities said the search effort -- conducted by 120 emergency workers using two Mil Mi-8 transport helicopters and a Beriev Be-200 aircraft -- was hampered by rain and fog.

RIA Novosti said production of the Antonov An-12, which can accommodate as many as 14 people and carry 22 tons of cargo, stopped in 1973. The craft has been in service since 1963 and is considered obsolete by the Russian Air Force.

The report said the United Arab Emirates banned An-12 flights after a number of crashes.

The Hindu reported the latest incident comes a day after an Antonov An-24 with 41 crew and passengers skidded off the runway while landing in stormy weather in Blagoveshchensk on China's border, injuring 12 people.

Arrest made in Detroit girl's death

Detroit police say they have a man into custody in the slaying of a 5-year-old girl.

The Detroit News reported Saturday a source said the unidentified man arrested Friday afternoon is believed to be the boyfriend of an aunt of the victim, Mariha Smith, 5.

"We have a person of interest that has been arrested based on preliminary findings by the homicide unit," Detroit police Sgt. Eren Stephens said.

Police said one of Mariha's aunts, Quanita Smith, who lived in the same house as the girl, and her boyfriend both failed a lie detector test in the days after Mariha disappeared.

The girl's body was found burned in an abandoned Detroit home July 24. An autopsy revealed she died of asphyxiation before her body was set on fire.

Speaking at her funeral Friday, police Chief Ralph Godbee Jr. lamented the premature death of a young child and bemoaned the state of society, the Detroit Press reported.

"What the hell is wrong with us?" Godbee asked. "When did we become pimps? When did we become gangsters? When did we stop loving our children?"

Detroit Councilwoman Brenda Jones told those gathered for the service the violence must end.

"This has got to stop. We have to take care of each other," she said.

Mariha's death was the 206th homicide in Detroit as of Aug. 1, compared with 179 through the same period a year ago.