World datelines

China: Officials dismissed

BEIJING — The Communist Party boss of a Chinese city and head of law enforcement were dismissed Saturday for mishandling violent protests last month after a young man's mysterious death, a state news agency said.

About 1,000 people gathered June 19 after the 24-year-old chef was found dead outside a hotel in Shishou city. Police said he killed himself, but rumors spread that he was killed by gangsters or the hotel boss. Xinhua reported that Zhong Ming, the city's party secretary, and Tang Dunwu, a party official in charge of law enforcement, were dismissed for their "improper decision" in responding to the incident.

Colombia: 17 die in clash

BOGOTA — The Colombian military says at least 16 suspected guerrillas and one soldier have been killed in clashes.

Defense Minister Gen. Freddy Padilla says troops faced off with rebels belonging to the Revolutionary Armed Forces of Colombia, or FARC, in the southern department of Meta.

India: Gates honored

NEW DELHI — Microsoft co-founder Bill Gates on Saturday received the Indira Gandhi Prize for Peace, Disarmament and Development from India's president, a government statement said.

The prize recognizes his work with the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation, which has committed nearly $1 billion for health and development projects in India.

Iraq: Election test

SULAIMANIYAH — The Kurdish political establishment faced its first real test in an election Saturday for a president and 111-seat parliament in a semiautonomous region mired in a bitter dispute with Baghdad over oil and land that threatens Iraq's stability.

Mainstream groups were widely expected to maintain their hold on power, but voters expressed hope a strong opposition challenge would lead to reforms.

Italy: Pope healing well

VATICAN CITY — Doctors examined Pope Benedict XVI's broken wrist at the pontiff's Alpine vacation chalet and are pleased with how the injury is healing, a Vatican spokesman said Saturday.

During the half-hour checkup, the cast on the fractured right wrist was removed and a new one put on, the Rev. Federico Lombardi said. The 82-year-old pope had surgery at the hospital on July 17 on his right wrist, which he fractured in a fall in the chalet near Aosta.

Kyrgyzstan: Voter fraud?