World briefs 13A

Venezuela's drive to recall Chavez marred by fraud

CARACAS, Venezuela -- The Venezuelan government presented election authorities Saturday with alleged evidence of widespread fraud in petitions seeking a referendum to recall President Hugo Chavez. The fraud includes petitions with duplicate signatures and the signatures of foreigners, said Infrastructure Minister Diosdado Cabello. Cabello did not specify how many of the 3.4 million signatures that Chavez opponents claim to have collected were allegedly fraudulent. The opposition needs at least 2.4 million valid signatures to force an election.

Indonesians fear terror attacks this Christmas

JAKARTA, Indonesia -- Al-Qaida linked militants are feared to be targeting churches this Christmas in Indonesia, the world's most populous Muslim nation, but priests and preachers said they aren't canceling yuletide services. With memories of a string of church bombings still fresh, the U.S. Embassy is warning Americans in Indonesia that the risk of terror attacks over the holidays is "particularly high." Some 140,000 police will be deployed over the holiday, worshippers will have to pass through metal detectors at most churches, and police guards will search the buildings before Christmas services, said national police chief Da'i Bachtiar.

Israeli, Palestinian officials may hold summit meeting

JERUSALEM -- Israeli and Palestinian officials are working to set up a meeting between their prime ministers this week aimed at renewing peace efforts, the chief Palestinian negotiator said Saturday. Officials have been trying for several weeks to arrange a summit between Israeli Prime Minister Ariel Sharon and his Palestinian counterpart, Ahmed Qureia. Both sides have expressed a desire to meet to rejuvenate efforts to implement the U.S.-backed "road map" peace plan, which envisions an immediate end to violence and the creation of a Palestinian state by 2005.

Drop in business forces elf layoffs at SantaPark

HELSINKI, Finland -- Santa's workshop may not be the joyous place it was in years past for the tens of thousands of tourists expected to visit northern Finland this winter. Santa laid off many of the elves who work at the SantaPark attraction near the Arctic Circle to cut rising costs. Business is booming in Lapland, a vast area known as the last wilderness in Europe. But SantaPark, which has accumulated $550,000 in debt in its five years of operation, has only seen visits decline. SantaPark is open from November to January, and briefly during summer for visitors who want to see the area when the sun doesn't set for several weeks.

Lebanon court convicts 32 in attacks on westerners

BEIRUT, Lebanon -- A Lebanese military court convicted 32 people Saturday of bombing American and British businesses, and imposed sentences ranging from three months to life imprisonment. Three of the defendants were acquitted of plotting to attack the U.S. Embassy and assassinate the U.S. ambassador. Five people were wounded in the bombings in Beirut and the northern city of Tripoli. The attacks, which began last year and continued until April, damaged outlets of McDonald's, Pizza Hut and fried chicken outlet KFC, among other businesses.

Italian police raid alleged leftist terrorist hideout

ROME -- Italian police raided an alleged hideout of the radical leftist Red Brigades terrorist group Saturday, seizing a cache of explosives weeks after arresting nine people linked to the organization. Authorities believe the basement of a building near Rome's Termini train station was used by group members already in custody. There were no arrests Saturday. Police found some 220 pounds of explosives along with detonators, computer disks and documents, including a flier claiming responsibility for a 2002 killing, ANSA said.

-- From wire reports