World briefs 9/13/05

Utility workers' gaffe blamed for LA blackout

LOS ANGELES -- An error by utility workers caused a blackout across major portions of Los Angeles on Monday afternoon, trapping people in elevators and snarling traffic at intersections, authorities said. About 2 million people were affected by the resulting outages. Much of the power was restored within 2 1/2 hours. Workers cutting wires mistakenly sliced them as a group rather than individually, causing a short and leading to the trouble, officials said.

Consultant: Delta plans to file for bankruptcy

ATLANTA -- Delta Air Lines Inc., the nation's third-largest carrier, plans to file for bankruptcy protection in New York as early as Wednesday, according to an industry consultant. The consultant, speaking on condition of anonymity, said Delta is working with GE Commercial Finance and other creditors to arrange roughly $2 billion in debtor-in-possession financing. The money would allow the airline to operate in bankruptcy.

Iraqi leader congratulates troops in Tal Afar

TAL AFAR, Iraq -- Iraq's prime minister toured the ancient northern city of Tal Afar on Monday -- ignoring an alleged al-Qaida threat to strike with chemical weapons -- to congratulate Iraqi forces for rousting militants from their stronghold near Syria, Iraqi television reported. Al-Iraqiya television said Prime Minister Ibrahim al-Jaafari was in the Tal Afar area despite an insurgent threat to unleash chemical and biological weapons.

Landslide a setback for Japan's two-party system

TOKYO -- When the opposition Democrats made strong gains in parliamentary elections in 2003 and 2004, Japan looked on the verge of something new: a competitive two-party system. But the ruling coalition's landslide victory in lower house elections on Sunday has dealt a major setback to such hopes, putting the Liberal Democratic Party firmly in charge.

Gazans celebrate first day of freedom with euphoria

RAFAH, Gaza Strip -- Gaza's Palestinians got their first taste of freedom after Israeli troops left the coastal strip Monday. They took full possession of the territory for the first time in hundreds of years. The Palestinians who clamored over the walls included Islamic militants waving the green Hamas flag, raising Israeli concerns about whether Palestinian and Egyptian security can control the territory and its border.

-- From wire reports

Egyptian border guards shot and killed one Palestinian; four others, who did not know how to swim, drowned after jumping into the ocean, Palestinian health officials said. Yet for one day, euphoria poured over this overcrowded and economically depressed sliver of land. Traffic jams paralyzed Gaza as Palestinians marveled at the remnants of Israel's 38-year occupation and went to places that had been off limits for years.

U.N. summit burdened by serious disagreements

UNITED NATIONS -- The outcome of this week's U.N. summit to tackle poverty and overhaul the United Nations administration was thrown into question Monday because of serious disagreements over the document that world leaders are supposed to adopt. After a weekend of lengthy talks by a negotiating group of about 15 countries, several ambassadors said there definitely would be a document on revamping the United Nations to meet the challenges of the 21st century -- but it would be far less sweeping and ambitious than the blueprint called for by Secretary-General Kofi Annan last March.

-- From wire reports