Sarkozy, Benedict meet

VATICAN CITY — French President Nicolas Sarkozy met with Pope Benedict XVI on Thursday and said he was “personally moved” by his first audience with the pontiff. The two men discussed a range of international issues, including “the drama of hostages,” an apparent reference to France’s efforts to free Ingrid Betancourt, who is being held by Colombian guerrillas, the Vatican said. The Vatican described the visit as cordial and noted what it called good relations between the French government and the Roman Catholic Church. Sarkozy, in 25 minutes of private talks with the pope and in a meeting with the secretary of state of the Holy See, discussed themes of common interest and the role of religion, “in particular the Catholic Church,” in the world, the Vatican said.

Quake hits New Zealand

WELLINGTON, New Zealand — A strong earthquake struck New Zealand on Thursday night, collapsing at least three older buildings in one coastal city on North Island, sparking small fires and forcing authorities to declare a state of emergency there. Only 10 minor injuries were reported in the port city of Gisborne, which was hit hardest by the quake and suffered the most property damage, although it was felt all over the country, officials said.

Aruba prosecutor: Suspect posted death in chat room

ORANJESTAD, Aruba — A main suspect in the disappearance of American teenager Natalee Holloway wrote in a chat session that she was dead — a key clue for investigators, but one that fell short of assuring a conviction in court, Aruba’s chief prosecutor said Thursday. The prosecutor Hans Mos insisted his office has done its best to learn what happened to Holloway, an 18-year-old who went missing in this Caribbean island on May 30, 2005 and is believed to be dead. Mos said he has done all he can to bring those responsible to justice. The Aruban prosecutors say they cannot prove a crime was committed without a body. Mos refused to reveal which of the three suspects wrote the Internet chat message, but said its discovery contributed to the decision last month to re-arrest the men.

Tancredo bows out of race

DES MOINES, Iowa — Tom Tancredo, the Colorado congressman best known for his strong views on immigration, pulled out of the race for the Republican presidential nomination Thursday and threw his support behind former Massachusetts Gov. Mitt Romney. He also took credit for moving what he described as the “perilous consequences of massive, uncontrolled illegal immigration” to the forefront of the presidential campaign, at what was likely the best-attended news conference of his back-of-the-pack run.

Neb. mall store reopens

OMAHA, Neb. — About 50 employees held hands and lined across a department store’s entrance Thursday before parting to let a crowd of holiday shoppers enter for the first time since a gunman killed eight people there 15 days earlier. Eight wreaths were placed near the entrance to the Von Maur store to memorialize the eight victims, and a blue ribbon crossing each wreath carried the message: “We remember.” Customers applauded as the gates opened, and employees greeted them at the entrance.

NASA eyes asteroid threat

LA CANADA FLINTRIDGE, Calif. — Talk about your cosmic pileups. An asteroid similar to the one that flattened forests in Siberia in 1908 could plow into Mars sometime in the next few weeks, scientists said. Researchers attached to NASA’s Near-Earth Objects Program, who like to call themselves the Solar System Defense Team, have been tracking the asteroid for days. The scientists put the chances that it will hit the Red Planet at about 1 in 300. That’s better odds than any known asteroid has ever had of hitting Earth, except for the Siberian strike, the scientists said. The unnamed asteroid is about 160 feet across.

Combined dispatches