In the World

CARACAS, Venezuela - Venezuelan President Hugo Chavez said Saturday that he had undergone tests after his cancer treatment and that everything was well. He said the exams included imaging tests, which are used to check for the reappearance of tumors.

"Everything came out absolutely fine," Chavez told reporters at the presidential palace. "I feel very well." He appeared on the palace steps after a meeting with a Russian delegation.

He saw off the visiting officials and then appeared energetic as he stepped close to reporters and animatedly responded to questions about his health, oil prices, and the country's October election.

"We're going to win this battle on Oct. 7," Chavez said. Motioning to the presidential palace, he said, "the bourgeoisie will never again return to this building."

- AP

LIMA, Peru - Rescue specialists on Saturday found the wreckage of a helicopter that went down in a snowy part of the southeastern Andes with 14 people aboard, including eight South Koreans and three Europeans, Peru's police chief said.

Police Gen. Raul Salazar told the Radioprogramas radio station "presumably there would be no survivors." He said searchers had climbed up to the aircraft on the Mama Rosa mountain. "There are some parts of the helicopter that have been scattered up to 200 meters by the force of impact," he said.

Police said a Dutchman, a Czech, and a Swede were aboard the aircraft, as well as the eight Koreans. The South Korean Embassy in Lima said the eight had been exploring a potential hydroelectric project near Mazuco.

- AP

LONDON - Britain's Prince Philip has left the hospital in time to celebrate his birthday. The husband of Queen Elizabeth II thanked staff at London's King Edward VII Hospital Saturday after spending five days there for treatment of a bladder infection.

Philip, 91, got into the front passenger seat of a Land Rover before being whisked off under police escort. He nodded when reporters shouted out questions about whether he was feeling better.

His wife recently celebrated her Diamond Jubilee, marking 60 years on the throne.

- AP

Authorities have fired or disciplined 12 police officers - including two police chiefs - for inadequately investigating a series of murders in southwest China in which victims were dismembered and buried, state media reported Saturday. Last month, authorities arrested Zhang Yongming, 56, on suspicions that he had killed 11 people since 2008 in Yunnan province.

A powerful earthquake struck Sunday morning off northeastern Taiwan, but there were no immediate reports of casualties or damage. Taiwan's Central Weather Bureau said the quake registered 6.5 on the Richter scale and the tremor was felt throughout the island.