World briefs 11/6/06

Power shortage leaves Europe in darkness

BERLIN -- A power shortage left large parts of Europe in the dark late Saturday. The shortage originated in Germany and triggered a cascade of blackouts across the region -- halting trains, trapping people in elevators and plunging millions of homes into darkness. Germany and France were badly hit. Austria, Belgium, Italy and Spain also were affected, though supplies to most regions were quickly restored. No injuries were reported. A private German company, E.On AG, said the problems began in northwestern Germany, where its network became overloaded, possibly because it shut down a high-voltage transmission line over the Ems River to let a ship pass safely.

Iran ready to consider negotiating on Iraq

TEHRAN, Iran -- Iran said Sunday it was open to negotiations with the United States on Iraq and other regional issues but hinted it would not drop its refusal to talk about its contentious nuclear program. As the U.N. Security Council geared up for a protracted debate on sanctioning Iran over its nuclear program, Tehran praised Russia for its "softer" stance on the issue.

Israel pledges to press on with Gaza offensive

JERUSALEM -- Prime Minister Ehud Olmert is planning to continue Israel's offensive in northern Gaza. But there are international calls to stop the fighting and Palestinian complaints of dwindling supplies of water, food and other staples. The death toll in Israel's five-day sweep through the northern Gaza town of Beit Hanoun hit 47 Sunday, when three Palestinians, including two Hamas militants, were killed.

-- From wire reports

Two blasts kill 8, wound 20 in India's northeast

GAUHATI, India -- At least eight people were killed and 20 others wounded in two blasts in India's remote northeast. The first explosion struck a crowded marketplace in Gauhati, the capital of Assam state, killing five people and wounding 15. The second blast hit another residential district of the city about 30 minutes later and left at least three people dead and five wounded. Nobody immediately claimed responsibility, but Deepak Narayan Dutt, Assam state director-general of police, blamed the United Liberation Front of Asom rebels for the attacks. The ULFA has been fighting for more than two decades for Assam's separation from India.

Kenyan climate-change conference weighs next steps

NAIROBI, Kenya -- Government officials, scientists and activists from around the world converged on drought-stricken Kenya for today's opening of the U.N. conference on climate change, the first such session in sub-Saharan Africa, the continent at greatest risk as the world warms. A U.N. report Sunday forecast a dire future if global temperatures continue to rise. One-third of Africa's species may lose their habitats by 2085 as climate zones shift, it said. In some areas, 30 percent of coastal infrastructure may be wrecked by rising seas. On the world's hungriest continent, cereal crop yields are projected to decline. The U.N. Environment Program chief sees an issue of basic fairness. "The problem was not caused on the African continent, and yet it's Africa that has to adapt," Achim Steiner told a news conference.

-- From wire reports