Haitian Boat Capsizes, 3rd

Boat carrying Haitians capsizes; 16 dead

SOUTH DOCK, Turks and Caicos Islands -- A boat loaded with Haitians capsized early Friday, and 16 bodies have been found, some partially eaten by sharks. Hours after the sailing vessel overturned in moonlit waters a half-mile from shore, rescuers had recovered more than a dozen bodies and were searching for about 60 missing people. The Turks and Caicos government said the boat was carrying some 160 people and that 78 survivors -- 69 males and 9 females -- were rescued. Police have recovered 16 bodies, those of 13 females and three males, the government said.

Brazil bypasses patent on Merck's AIDS drug

BRASILIA, Brazil -- President Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva took steps Friday to let Brazil buy or produce an inexpensive generic version of an AIDS drug made by Merck & Co. despite the U.S. drug company's patent. Silva issued a "compulsory license" that would bypass Merck's patent on the AIDS drug efavirenz, a day after the Brazilian government rejected Merck's offer to sell the drug at a 30 percent discount -- for $1.10 per pill, down from $1.57. The country was seeking to purchase the drug at 65 cents a pill.

U.S. proposes timetable for Palestinians, Israelis

JERUSALEM -- The United States has proposed a detailed timetable for easing Palestinian movement and improving Israeli security in the coming months, part of its more hands-on involvement and a new push to revive peace talks, officials said Friday. However, the document, published in the Haaretz daily, was presented at a time of growing political instability in Israel and the Palestinian areas, and chances of implementation seemed dim.

-- From wire reports