Divided UN climate meeting ends with limited deal
COPENHAGEN (AP) — The U.N. climate conference has ended after two weeks of intense wrangling, accepting a new U.S.-brokered deal that offered billions to help poorer nations adjust to global warming but did little to cut emissions of greenhouse gases. The 193-nation conference — the largest, most important climate meeting in history — was gaveled to a close at 3:26 p.m. (1426 GMT) Saturday, ending a 31-hour negotiating marathon.
Eurostar London-Paris trains suspended
LONDON (AP) — Eurostar train service between Britain and France was suspended Saturday morning after more than 2,000 passengers were stranded for hours after four passenger trains broke down in the Channel Tunnel. Initial reports blamed the breakdowns on wintry weather conditions on both side of the English Channel. Many passengers were left in cars without heating, lighting and water and some described a chaotic, poorly organized evacuation.
Iran acknowledges prisoners were beaten to death
TEHRAN, Iran (AP) — Iran's hard-line judiciary acknowledged for the first time Saturday that at least three prisoners detained after June's disputed presidential election were beaten to death by their jailers, confirming a key claim by the country's opposition movement. The surprising acknowledgment followed months of repeated denials by police and other authorities that the deaths of protesters in Iranian custody were caused by abuse.
Poland tightens border in hunt for Auschwitz sign
OSWIECIM, Poland (AP) — Polish authorities stepped up security checks at airports and border crossings and searched scrap metal yards Saturday as the search intensified for the infamous Nazi sign stolen from the Auschwitz death camp memorial. The brazen overnight theft Friday of one of the Holocaust's most chilling and notorious symbols sparked outrage from around the world, and Polish leaders have declared recovering the 5-meter (16-foot) sign a national priority.
100 bodies disappeared after Guinea massacre
CONAKRY, Guinea (AP) — The bodies are missing. Families here have collected the names, addresses and photographs of at least 108 people who were killed when soldiers opened fire on a protest almost three months ago, but whose bodies were never returned. Some were taken to hospital morgues and later removed by the military, witnesses told The Associated Press. Others were loaded into military trucks at the stadium which left in the direction of the capital's main military barracks.
Thin climate accord a small step in long process
COPENHAGEN (AP) — A furious final two days of climate diplomacy and presidential brinkmanship produced 2 1/2 thin pages called the Copenhagen Accord, a deal vague at times in meaning, rejected by some, lacking any teeth. "This particular text falls far short of our expectations," the European Commission president, Jose Manuel Barroso, said of the political declaration produced in talks Friday between President Barack Obama and big developing countries at the U.N. climate conference. Others were harsher in their criticism.
John Paul II moves a step closer to beatification
VATICAN CITY (AP) — Pope Benedict XVI moved two of his predecessors closer to possible sainthood Saturday, signing decrees on the virtues of the beloved Pope John Paul II and Pope Pius XII, who has been criticized for not doing enough to stop the Holocaust. The decrees mean that both men can be beatified once the Vatican certifies that a miracle attributed to their intercession has occurred. Beatification is the first major step before possible sainthood.
Iraqi troops in standoff with Iran
BAGHDAD (AP) — Iraqi troops massed Saturday near an oil well on the border in a standoff with Iranian forces that seized control of the site in a sudden flare up of tension between the two uneasy neighbors. The top U.S. diplomat in Iraq said Baghdad's speedy response to the border incursion showed that Iraq is "not going to be pushed around" by Iran.
Toddler stable after surgery to remove needles
RIO DE JANEIRO (AP) — A Brazilian toddler was in stable condition Saturday after doctors removed four life-threatening sewing needles from around his lung and heart but was likely to face more surgery on Monday, an official said. The boy — who police say had dozens of the needles stuck deep into his body by his stepfather in a bizarre ritual — was in intensive care following surgery but was doing well, said Suzy Moreno, a spokeswoman for Hospital Ana Nery in the northeastern city of Salvador.
Cambodia sends Uighur asylum-seekers back to China
PHNOM PENH, Cambodia (AP) — A group of Muslims who fled China after deadly ethnic rioting and sought asylum in Cambodia were sent back home Saturday, even though rights groups fear they face persecution there. Interior Ministry spokesman Lt. Gen. Khieu Sopheak said the 20 members of the Uighur minority had been put on a special plane sent from China that left Phnom Penh International Airport Saturday night.
