World datelines

Chile: Indian autonomy

SANTIAGO — Dozens of Indian communities agreed to form the Mapuche Territorial Alliance to fight for political autonomy, a leader said Saturday after several days of violence over land seizures in southern Chile.

Manuel Calfiu, head of the Mapuche community Meli Wixan Mapu, said that the Indians must confront the government forcefully to win their demands for ending poverty. Representing about 6 percent of Chile's 17 million people, Mapuches live in the south in communities of deep poverty and contend government efforts to help them buy land and timber companies isn't enough.

Honduras: U.S. accused

TEGUCIGALPA — A top aide to Honduras' ousted president accused the United States of involvement in the coup, saying Saturday that the plane that flew Manuel Zelaya into exile stopped to refuel at an airfield where hundreds of U.S. troops are based.

Patricia Valle, the deputy foreign minister of the deposed government, said the Honduran military plane carrying Zelaya took off from the capital's Toncontin airport, then stopped for fuel at the Soto Cano air base before heading to Costa Rica. She said Zelaya did not get off the plane during the stop. Soto Cano, also known as Palmerola, is a Honduran air base that houses at least 500 U.S. troops who conduct counter-narcotics operations and other missions in Central America.

Kuwait: Fire kills 41

KUWAIT CITY — A fire at a wedding tent Saturday has killed at least 41 women and children guests and injured 76 others, authorities said.

The official Kuwait News Agency quotes the fire department chief, Brig. Gen. Jassem al-Mansouri, as saying 41 bodies have been recovered from the scene in Jahra, a tribal area west of Kuwait City. Mohammed al-Saber said the cause of the fire has not been determined.

Mexico: Chief survives

MONCLOVA, Coahuila — An ex-general serving as police chief of a northern Mexican city escaped an assassination attempt that killed three of his bodyguards, the latest attack on an official appointed to step up the fight against drug cartels.

Assailants in pickup trucks opened fire on Monclova police chief Juan Carlos Pacheco as he headed home Friday evening, a police statement said Saturday. Pacheco was not hurt but three of the police officers guarding him died.

Pakistan: Bomber kills 5