Around the World in 8 Links, Dec 16 2011

Catch up on news from around the globe as we take you around the world in eight links. This week: poisoned liquor in India, rallies in Syria and food shortages in Venezuela.

Want the news in pictures? Click here to go around the world in photos, or click on any of the thumbnail images below.

Bootleg liquor kills 143 in India
Illegal liquor tainted with methanol has killed 143 and sickened many more in an Indian village outside Koltaka. Police have arrested 10 bootleggers suspected of providing the illegal alcohol, which flourishes in slums where people can't afford to shop at state-sanctioned shops.

Food shortage hit Venezuela
In an effort to curb inflation, the Venezuelan government set price caps on 15,000 goods, but now shoppers are seeing empty shelves at the grocery store. Authorities blame the shortages on producers hoarding regulated products.

Mass rallies in Syria
In Syria, 200,000 joined marches after Friday prayers. Syrian forces reportedly fired on the crowd, and activists say at least six were killed in the city of Homs.

Report finds Dutch church abused thousands
An independent commission found that tens of thousands of children have been victims of abuse by the Roman Catholic Church in the Netherlands since 1945. Church leaders, including Dutch Archbishop Wim Eijk (pictured) offered apologies to the victims.

Armed police staff Chinese checkpoints
Armed police restricted movement in and out of the Chinese village of Wukan after a local butcher died in police custody. Protests broke out following the death of the man, who was suspected of leading villagers to protest a land dispute.

Spy cameras outside Mandela's home investigated
South African police are investigating surveillance cameras set up outside Nelson Mandela's home. The cameras were placed by two international news organizations, and may have been placed as long as six years ago.

Bullets sent to Berlusconi
Italian authorities intercepted threatening letters containing bullets that were sent to Berlusconi and other Italian officials. The letters threatened violence unless the Italian government renounces an austerity package.

Discontent among workers in Indonesia
Workers in Indonesia are pushing back against companies they say are violating their rights by hiring them as contract workers unprotected by labor laws. Workers who have seen Indonesia's economy grow are pushing for a bigger share of the profits in a country where many barely make a living wage.