World datelines

China

BEIJING — Chinese state media on Sunday published the names of three villagers killed by police during a protest over the seizure of land for a power plant and provided a rare and vivid account of the small-town politics that led to the bloody confrontation. Rights groups and activists had been calling for the government to publish a list of those killed in the Dec. 6 shootings in Dongzhou, a village about 60 miles northeast of Hong Kong in Guangdong province. The government says three people were killed, while residents put the toll at up to 20.

England

LONDON — British police said Sunday they found a flatbed truck and crane that were apparently used in the theft of a $5.2 million Henry Moore sculpture from the artist's estate north of London. The truck and crane, discovered in the area on Saturday night, were filmed by a security camera as they took the two-ton "Reclining Figure" bronze sculpture from the Henry Moore Foundation estate in the county of Hertfordshire, police said. Police fear the thieves may have stolen the 1969/1970 work Thursday night to melt it down and sell for scrap metal, even though it could earn far more money if sold as a work of art.

Israel

JERUSALEM — Europe's top diplomat warned Sunday the European Union might cut off aid to the Palestinian Authority if Hamas militants win next month's parliamentary election, reflecting international alarm over the Islamic group's strong showing in West Bank local voting. Javier Solana, the EU's foreign policy chief, said during a tour of the region that European taxpayers would have a hard time supporting the Palestinian government if it included a party that supports violence and advocates Israel's destruction.

Italy

ROME — Pope Benedict XVI said Sunday that joy, and not a costly present, is the true gift of Christmas as he made his first visit as pontiff to a Rome parish. "You should bring joy, not expensive gifts that cost time and money," Benedict said in a homily which he delivered without notes for about 15 minutes in a sometimes hoarse voice. He also proposed joy as an antidote to the ills of society.

Jordan

AMMAN — Jordan's military court sentenced al-Qaida in Iraq chief Abu Musab al-Zarqawi to death for a second time Sunday for a failed suicide bombing along the Iraqi border a year ago. Al-Zarqawi and a second militant were sentenced in absentia. A third, Saudi Fahd Noman Suwelim al-Feheiqi, is in custody.