12 missing from South Korean

fishing boat burned by fire

SEOUL, South Korea (AP) — A fishing boat caught fire in South Korea’s southern waters early Tuesday, and the coast guard said a search was underway for 12 people missing.

The coast guard and navy were deploying boats, helicopters and a patrol plane to search the waters near Jeju island for survivors, said Lee Geun-han, an official from the coast guard in Jeju.

Rescue efforts, which also involved civilian fishing vessels, were being slowed by strong winds in the area.

Lee said the coast guard received a report about the fire at around 7 a.m. A court guard helicopter found it about an hour later, and the upper side of the boat had been burned completely.

Chilean leader acknowledges

excess force used in protests

SANTIAGO, Chile (AP) — Chile’s president is still struggling to bring calm to the streets one month into a potent protest movement that has dramatically altered the political landscape of the South American nation.

In televised comments late Sunday, President Sebastián Piñera acknowledged that excessive force has been used to clamp down on demonstrators with legitimate social demands and said abuses have been committed. He promised “no impunity” for anyone who commits acts of violence.

Twenty-six people have died in the protests. Thousands more have been injured in clashes with police who fire pellet guns directly at faces. At least 230 people have lost sight in an eye.

Demonstrators want reforms to education, health care and pensions. An agreement between political parties charts a course to potentially rewriting the constitution, another demand.