World datelines

Venezuela: Syria visit

CARACAS, Venezuela — Venezuelan President Hugo Chavez denounced Israel as a "genocidal" government on Sunday as he hosted Syrian President Bashar Assad on his first visit to Latin America. Chavez has drawn close to Syria and Iran, cutting ties with Israel last year to protest its military offensive in the Gaza Strip. "We have common enemies," Chavez said, describing them as "the Yankee empire, the genocidal state of Israel." Assad praised Chavez for standing up to the U.S. and supporting the Palestinians.

Norway: 4 die in war

OSLO — The Norwegian military says four of its soldiers have died after a roadside bomb exploded near their vehicle in northern Afghanistan. A military statement says the soldiers were killed while on a mission in Faryab province Sunday evening. The military has not specified the nature of the mission. Until Sunday, only five Norwegian troops had been killed in the entire war. Norway has about 500 troops stationed in Afghanistan.

Burundi: Vote worries

BUJUMBURA, Burundi — A spate of grenade attacks days before a national vote has heightened fears of a return of conflict in Burundi as the country holds its first presidential election Monday since the end of a brutal civil war. Three grenade attacks overnight Saturday — which produced no injuries — have set the stage for a tense vote in the tiny central African nation, despite there being only one candidate, incumbent president Pierre Nkurunziza. Earlier in June, six opposition candidates unanimously decided to pull out of the presidential race.

Thailand: Boats collide

BANGKOK — Forty-two people were injured after two boats carrying Thai and foreign tourists collided in the Gulf of Thailand near an island famed for its wild parties. The boats were ferrying tourists to and from Pha-ngan island, the site of "full moon" parties that attract thousands of young, mostly Western tourists each month. Police Lt. Pongkajorn Sukrasang said Sunday the boats collided and overturned around midnight Saturday, throwing the passengers into the rough sea during a rainstorm just off the island. Thirteen of the injured remained hospitalized Sunday, Pongkajorn said.

Pakistan: Missiles hit