World datelines

Bulgaria: Protest turns violent

SOFIA — An anti-government demonstration in Sofia turned violent Wednesday, with protesters clashing with police and hurling stones and bottles at the Parliament building.

A local hospital said 23 people were injured, including six police officers.

The demonstration started peacefully, with about 2,000 students, farmers and medical workers gathering to protest the government, which they accuse of failing to cope with the economic crisis and tackle widespread corruption.

China: Top Web users

BEIJING — China's fast-growing population of Internet users has risen to 298 million after passing the United States last year to become the world's largest, a government-sanctioned research group said Tuesday.

The latest figure is a 41.9 percent increase over the same period last year, the China Internet Network Information Center said in a report.

China's Internet penetration is still low at just 22.6 percent, leaving more room for rapid growth, according to CNNIC. The Pew Internet and American Life Project places U.S. online penetration at 71 percent.

Italy: Mobster captured

NAPLES — Italian paramilitary police have captured Giuseppe Setola, one of the country's most-wanted men, who investigators say may be responsible for the September murder of six African immigrants, the Interior Ministry said.

Setola, 38, a convicted member of the mob, or Camorra, was captured in an area north of Naples. Claiming blindness, Setola was allowed to serve jail time from home until he went on the run last year. Setola had been sought as a suspect in a dozen homicides.

Czech Republic: Havel ill

PRAGUE — Former Czech President Vaclav Havel was in serious but stable condition Wednesday, two days after undergoing minor surgery on his throat, a team of medical specialists said.

Dr. Martina Pelichovska said the former president's condition worsened Tuesday and again early Wednesday when the bottom of his right lung became clogged with phlegm.

"At the moment, he is in stable condition and his life is not threatened," Pelichovska said.

Malaysia: Pirates thwarted