World datelines

Russia: No spot on ballot

MOSCOW — The most outspoken Kremlin opponent in Russia's presidential contest was denied a spot on the ballot Sunday by election authorities who said tens of thousands of signatures on his nominating petitions were forgeries.

Former Prime Minister Mikhail Kasyanov angrily rejected the official claims and accused President Vladimir Putin of ordering his removal from the March 2 election.

China: 150,000 stranded

BEIJING — Power cuts blamed on ice and unusually heavy snow stranded about 150,000 vacationers in the key southern Chinese rail hub city of Guangzhou, state media reported.

At the advent of China's peak Lunar New Year travel season, the number of travelers arriving in Guangzhou was expected to rise today to 600,000, and local authorities scrambled to arrange temporary shelters at schools and other public buildings, the official Xinhua News Agency reported.

Guyana: Manhunt for killers

LUSIGNAN — Guyana deployed hundreds of soldiers and police in villages near where rampaging gunmen killed 11 people, including five children, and authorities on Sunday launched a manhunt for the gang leader they blame for the slaughter.

Security forces with high-powered rifles searched the forests surrounding Lusignan for gang members following Saturday's attack.

Israel: No prosecution

JERUSALEM — Israel's attorney general said Sunday that no police officers will be prosecuted in connection with the killing of 13 Israeli Arabs during anti-government riots in 2000, a decision that angered relatives.

Attorney General Menachem Mazuz cited insufficient evidence, according to a statement from the Justice Ministry.

Lebanon: Clashes in Beirut

BEIRUT — Deadly clashes erupted Sunday in Beirut, leaving at least seven people dead and escalating Lebanon's most serious political crisis since its civil war ended in 1990.

At least seven people were shot dead and dozens were wounded in clashes between the Lebanese army and opposition supporters who were burning tires and closing major roads to protest power cuts, security officials said.

Mexico: 2 arrests in drug case