World datelines

Albania: Election protest

TIRANA — Tens of thousands of people thronged the main square of the Albanian capital Friday, vowing to stay there until the government allows a partial recount of an election the opposition claims involved vote-rigging.

Prime Minister Sali Berisha's conservatives narrowly won the June 28 general election, but the opposition Socialists have been boycotting parliament for months, demanding the recount of ballots in several districts. The government has called that demand illegal.

Brazil: Priests accused

RIO DE JANEIRO — Police in northeastern Brazil are recommending that three Roman Catholic priests be formally charged with sexually abusing boys.

The recommendation is contained in a report that police in Alagoas state gave to prosecutors Friday following their investigation of an 83-year-old priest allegedly caught on tape having sex with a young man. Police have also asked prosecutors to file charges against two other priests in the same diocese who have been accused of abuse by two other young men.

Italy: Berlusconi responds

ROME — Italian Prime Minister Silvio Berlusconi insisted Friday that his government would serve out the remaining three years of its term, despite mounting infighting and trouble within his coalition.

In a defiant and defensive statement on his party's website, Berlusconi said his government was hard at work modernizing the country, fighting cancer, bailing out Greece, nabbing mobsters and reforming the justice system. "I believe that there should be no doubts about the stability of our government for the next three years," he wrote.

Jamaica: Belated award

KINGSTON — A Jamaica man who was shot by police and became a paraplegic has been awarded $230,000 in compensation 16 years after the incident.

Michael Llewellyn was shot in the back in 1994 when he tried to escape a beating by police at his house. His right leg was amputated below the knee as a result, and he was left unable to use the remaining leg. Attorney Sylvan Edwards said Friday that Llewellyn has not been able to work since then. A Supreme Court judge ordered the compensation Thursday.

Mexico: 2 children killed