World briefs 10A

Chavez calls for unity in Venezuelan military

CARACAS, Venezuela -- Amid rumors of another coup plot in Venezuela, President Hugo Chavez called for unity within the armed forces on Saturday and accused the media of trying to provoke a military uprising.

Such rumors have become common in Venezuela since April 12, when Chavez was briefly overthrown by dissident military officers. One of the latest rumors was sparked Tuesday, when local television broadcast a video showing ten masked men in combat fatigues claiming to be officers opposed to Chavez' rule.

The government says there is no evidence the men are military, while opposition lawmakers disagree. Chavez, a self-proclaimed "revolutionary" who was elected in 1998, urged unity among the armed forces Saturday in a speech before naval officers in coastal Vargas state.

Tokyo stocks decline; dollar lower against yen

TOKYO -- Soured sentiment about U.S. technology shares undercut Tokyo stocks on Friday despite news that Japan's economy grew in the first quarter after three straight quarters of decline. The dollar was weaker against the yen.

The benchmark 225-issue Nikkei Stock Average closed down 136.41 points, or 1.18 percent, at 11,438.53. On Thursday, the average shed 88.93 points, or 0.76 percent.

The dollar bought 124.30 yen at 5 p.m., down 0.56 yen from late Thursday in Tokyo, but above its late New York level of 124.24 yen overnight.

Pols fear record-low turnout in local elections

SEOUL, South Korea -- Corruption scandals, regional loyalties and even communist North Korea have all influenced elections in South Korea. Now soccer gets its turn.

With South Korea co-hosting the World Cup and its people focusing on the rising fortunes of their national team, politicians fear voter turnout for local elections next week could be lower than ever before.

"The World Cup has stolen the show," said Park Shin-il, spokesman for the main opposition Grand National Party.

Tens of thousands of fans converged in Seoul to watch South Korea's opener Tuesday on a giant TV screen.

In contrast, political campaign rallies are drawing lackluster crowds of several hundred or a few thousand, even though the June 13 elections are seen as a bellwether for a presidential vote in December.

A survey by the National Election Commission indicated that 42.7 percent of voters will cast ballots, which would be a record low. Turnout was 52.7 percent in local elections four years ago.

67 killed in crash of bus carrying refugees

ISLAMABAD, Pakistan -- A bus crowded with Afghan families returning to their homeland after years in Pakistani refugee camps plunged into the Kabul River, killing 67 people, Afghan and U.N. officials said Saturday.

The crash occurred Friday near the Afghan town of Sarobi, 15 miles east of the capital, Kabul. Rescue teams were searching for bodies. The cause of the accident was not immediately known.

-- From wire reports