Nation & World Digest

Pope vows action in sex-abuse scandal

VATICAN CITY

Pope Benedict XVI pledged Wednesday that the Catholic Church would take action to confront the clerical sex-abuse scandal, his first public remarks calling for change since the crisis erupted.

It remains to be seen what exactly is in store. Already, the Vatican has told bishops that they must report abusive priests to police if civil laws where they live require it. It has promised “effective measures” to protect children. And Benedict himself has wept alongside abuse victims in Malta.

Lawmakers blast Prayer Day ruling

WASHINGTON

About two dozen members of Congress on Wednesday condemned a federal judge’s ruling that the National Day of Prayer is unconstitutional, saying prayer has long been part of the country’s history.

“The American people believe in prayer. The American people believe that prayer changes things,” said Rep. Mike Pence, R-Ind., as he urged the Obama administration use “all means at its disposal” to challenge the decision.

Several of the lawmakers also called on the Justice Department to appeal the ruling.

Planes back in air

LONDON

Airlines sent their jets back into the skies of Europe in large numbers Wednesday but faced an enormous backlog of passengers that will probably take days to clear.

About 22,500 flights were expected to travel through European airspace, more than 80 percent of the usual tally, the most since volcanic ash from Iceland began stranding planes and passengers across the continent April 15, the aviation agency Eurocontrol said.

Critics accused authorities of having bungled their response to the airborne grit by imposing an unnecessary near-total flight ban that cost the airline industry $1.7 billion.

EBay founder launches news site

HONOLULU

The entrepreneur who created a virtual marketplace that connects sellers and buyers worldwide is launching an online news site where people will pay to exchange ideas and discuss issues affecting their communities.

Pierre Omidyar, the founder and chairman of eBay Inc., is entering the news business with a new online service in Hawaii. By charging a $19.99-a-month membership, Omidyar hopes to accomplish what newspapers and other media organizations nationwide have long struggled with — having readers pay for content and making local news profitable.

Afghan leader delays peace conference

KABUL

President Hamid Karzai on Wednesday postponed a national peace conference until after his visit next month to the White House in hopes of cementing international backing for his overtures to the Taliban leadership.

An estimated 1,400 Afghans representing the nation’s myriad of ethnic, regional and political factions, are scheduled to gather for a so-called “peace jirga” next month to reach a national consensus for talking with insurgents to end the nearly nine-year-old war.

Thai crisis spreads

BANGKOK

Thailand’s tense political crisis spread from Bangkok to the northeast, as anti- government demonstrators blocked a train carrying military vehicles that they claimed would be used to suppress fellow protesters in the capital.

The confrontation Wednesday came as the “Red Shirt” protesters and security forces remained locked in a potentially explosive standoff in downtown Bangkok. The determined demonstrators are demanding Prime Minister Abhisit Vejjajiva dissolve Parliament and call new elections immediately.

Combined dispatches