World Scene

POLAND

Roof collapse leaves 66 dead

KATOWICE — Rescuers abandoned hope yesterday of finding survivors beneath the wreckage of an exhibition hall that collapsed, killing 66 persons, and authorities were bringing in heavy equipment to demolish what little remained of the building.

The structure collapsed Saturday afternoon with an estimated 500 people inside. They were attending a pigeon racing exhibition. The last person rescued alive from the building was pulled out less than five hours later.

Rescue crews nonetheless worked through the night, using hand tools to carve through the sheet metal and snarled poles of the collapsed building so as not to risk harming any survivors. A total of 160 persons were injured, authorities said.

IRAN

More talks sought on nuclear standoff

TEHRAN — Iran insisted yesterday the only solution to its nuclear dispute with the West was negotiations rather than referral of its atomic dossier to the U.N. Security Council.

Tehran’s nuclear program, which the United States and other major Western powers fear will be used to make nuclear bombs, will be discussed at a meeting of the five permanent members of the Security Council and Germany in London today.

Foreign Minister Manouchehr Mottaki urged the six nations to reconsider plans to hold an emergency meeting of the International Atomic Energy Agency on Thursday to discuss sending Iran’s nuclear case to the Security Council.

FINLAND

President re-elected to six-year term

HELSINKI — Finland’s leftist president won another six-year term yesterday after her conservative challenger conceded defeat in a presidential runoff election.

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