World briefs

THE ASSOCIATED PRESS

MYANMAR / Pro-democracy leader released

Myanmar's ruling junta released the deputy leader of the country's pro-democracy party from nearly 7 years in detention, but offered no indication he or still-detained party leader Aung San Suu Kyi would be allowed to take part in this year's elections. Saturday's release of Tin Oo, 82, who helped found the National League for Democracy with Suu Kyi, comes shortly before a United Nations envoy visits Myanmar to evaluate the regime's progress on human rights.

NIGERIA / Passengers on bus electrocuted

At least 20 bus passengers were killed in Nigeria Saturday when a cable fell onto the bus and electrocuted people inside, police said. Police confirmed 20 deaths, but spokeswoman Rita Abbey said the toll could climb further. An Associated Press cameraman saw more than 10 bodies, some charred beyond recognition, at a hospital in the provincial capital of Port Harcourt. The cable came tumbling down during heavy rains that have pummeled southern Nigeria.

MEXICO / Hundreds join anti-violence protest

Hundreds of people marched Saturday against the drug gang violence besieging the Mexican city of Ciudad Juárez, gathering at a bridge where they simulated the massacre of a group of teenagers last month. Police, meanwhile, found the bullet-ridden bodies of five men in a town in the southwestern corner of Chihuahua state.