World datelines

U.N.: Powder scare

UNITED NATIONS — The United Nations closed its main dining room and staff cafeteria Thursday after "a suspicious envelope" was found, U.N. deputy spokeswoman Marie Okabe said. She said U.N. security staff called in New York City authorities to help investigate the contents of the envelope. The envelope contained a white powder, a U.N. official said.

Pakistan: Bombing

PESHAWAR, Pakistan — A bomb blast at a mosque in the Khyber tribal area killed at least 30 people and wounded more than 70 others on Thursday. The blast struck a meeting of militants in the Aka Khel area of the Khyber tribal region, near the Afghan border. Local residents and security officials said a local militant commander, Azam Khan, was killed in the explosion.

Cuba: Mule census

HAVANA — Will all Cuban mules please stand up? Or at least raise a hoof or two. The communist government says it is facing a major mule deficit and has commissioned a census of the beasts of burden to determine how bad the problem is. How many mules are in Cuba is unknown — hence the need for the census, which will be carried out March 1-10.

Russia: Yank honored

ST. PETERSBURG — An exhibit opened in Russia on Thursday on the life of an American veteran believed to be one the few soldiers to fight for both the U.S. and the Soviet Union in World War II. The Russian Museum exhibit, titled "Joseph R. Beyrle — A Hero of Two Nations," presents 260 artifacts from Beyrle's life and military career, including a collection of his medals, uniform and photographs. His son, U.S. ambassador to Russia John Beyrle, attended the opening and said that though his father was called a hero by both nations he never considered himself one.

Netherlands: Resign

AMSTERDAM — The sharp-tongued U.N. official who shepherded troubled climate talks for nearly four years announced his resignation Thursday, leaving an uncertain path to a new treaty on global warming. Exhausted and frustrated by unrelenting bickering between rich and poor countries, Yvo de Boer said he will step down July 1 to work in business and academia. His departure takes effect five months before 193 nations reconvene in Cancun, Mexico, for another attempt to reach a worldwide legal agreement on controlling greenhouse gas emissions.

Philippines: Arrest