WORLD briefs

ST. JOHN. Six American tourists in Antigua were charged with assault and malicious damage after refusing to pay a cab fare they thought was excessive and later scuffling with police officers. The defendants were released on $5,000 bail each Monday and are expected to enter pleas during a court appearance today.

MEXICO CITY. Mexican President Felipe Calderon has accepted the resignation of the attorney general who was leading the battle against drug cartels, making the biggest shake-up yet in his offensive against organized crime. Attorney General Eduardo Medina-Mora's image was tarnished by charges that his top confidant was on the take.

KINSHASA. A Congolese court sentenced two Norwegians to death Tuesday after convicting them of espionage and murder, drawing sharp criticism from Norway's government. The two men, former Norwegian soldiers, were convicted in May in the central Congolese city of Kisangani of murdering their driver and attempting to murder a witness. The court also convicted them of spying for Norway because they were carrying military ID cards at the time. The men have five days to appeal before going to prison.

SYDNEY. Tourists are defecating on Australia's sacred Uluru, or Ayers Rock, amid calls for a climbing ban on the iconic desert attraction. Park officials in July announced plans to end the popular climb on cultural and safety grounds but PM Kevin Rudd later said it would be "very sad" if tourists were kept off the rock.

BUENOS AIRES.A violent storm has killed 14 people across northern Argentina, southern Brazil and Uruguay. Dozens were injured in the winds and hail as their homes were destroyed. Authorities say at least 10 died in Argentina and four in Brazil as the storm spawned a tornado, blowing away roofs and leaving thousands without electricity.

AMSTERDAM. A UN judge rejected a plea from former Bosnian Serb leader Radovan Karadzic for more time to prepare his defense and ordered his war crimes trial to begin next month. Judge O-Gon Kwon set a trial date for Oct. 19