World briefs 12/11/05

Global climate conference ends with crucial pact

MONTREAL-- A U.N. conference on global warming ended Saturday with a watershed agreement by more than 150 nations -- an unwilling United States not among them -- to open talks on mandatory post-2012 reductions in greenhouse gases. The Bush administration, which rejects the emissions cutbacks of the current Kyoto Protocol, accepted a second, weaker conference decision, agreeing to join an exploratory global "dialogue" on future steps to combat climate change. However, that agreement specifically ruled out "negotiations leading to new commitments." The divergent tracks did little to close the climate gap between Washington and the Kyoto supporters, which include Europe and Japan. But environmentalists welcomed the plan to negotiate "second-phase" emissions cuts.

China blames 'instigators' for deadly village siege

BEIJING -- China on Saturday blamed a deadly confrontation between authorities and demonstrators in a village near Hong Kong on "a few instigators" who organized an attack on a wind power plant, prompting police to open fire. China said in its first official comments on Tuesday's confrontation that three villagers were killed. Residents, however, said as many as 20 people were killed. The state-run Xinhua News Agency said police opened fire on villagers in Dongzhou, a village in Guangdong province, after a mob formed a blockade on the road and began throwing explosives at officers. However, residents said that as many as 20 people were killed when police opened fire on a crowd of thousands protesting against inadequate compensation offered by the government for land to be used for the new power plant. Villagers said dozens of people were missing.

Japan edgy after spate of gruesome child-killings

TOKYO -- A spate of grisly crimes targeting schoolchildren has horrified Japan and dealt a serious blow to its image as a safe country for children. The killings have been particularly gruesome. One girl's corpse was stuffed into a box, another victim was stabbed a dozen times in the chest, a third was also stabbed, allegedly by one of her teachers. As a result, the authorities have been on alert and worried parents are on edge. The country is reassessing traditions such as letting children walk long distances to school on their own. Education authorities and police are examining the routes, warning students about talking to strangers and establishing neighborhood "safe-houses" where kids can flee if they feel threatened.

-- From wire reports