World briefs 12/7/4

Small bombs explode in seven Spanish cities

MADRID, Spain -- Explosions rattled seven Spanish cities Monday following telephone warnings from the armed Basque separatist group ETA, in a resurgence of violence after months of keeping a low profile since the deadly Madrid train bombings by Muslim militants. The nearly simultaneous explosions slightly injured 18 people. The bombs went off in Valladolid, Leon and Santillana del Mar in the north, Avila and Ciudad Real in central Spain, Alicante in the east and Malaga in the south.

Ukraine candidates agree to fix electoral laws

KIEV, Ukraine -- Ukraine's political rivals agreed early today on legislation to ensure a fair vote during the rerun later this month of the fraud-ridden presidential runoff but remained divided on constitutional amendments trimming presidential powers. Outgoing President Leonid Kuchma also agreed to change the Central Election Commission, which was accused of covering up rampant fraud during the Nov. 21 runoff. On Monday, Kuchma and Russian President Vladimir Putin said they would abide by the results of the new election, removing major question marks surrounding the Dec. 26 rematch.

Filipinos escape coasts after violent storms

REAL, Philippines -- After days of wading through mud and floodwaters, exhausted Filipinos on Monday scrambled for a seat on a rescue helicopter or ferry to escape coastal villages ravaged last week by back-to-back storms that killed at least 568 and left hundreds missing. Philippine officials appealed for international aid after flash floods and mudslides swept away hundreds of houses, roads and bridges in what has been the southeast Asian nation's worst storm season in 13 years. Food, clean water and medicine were in short supply. People sifted through mud to salvage clothes and belongings.

-- From wire reports