World datelines

Vatican: Holocaust

ROME — In a synagogue visit haunted by history, Pope Benedict XVI and Jewish leaders sparred Sunday over the record of the World War II-era pope during the Holocaust and agreed on the need to strengthen Catholic-Jewish relations.

Both sides said the visit to the seat of the oldest Jewish community in the diaspora was an occasion to overcome what Benedict called "every misconception and prejudice."

Benedict defended his predecessor Pius XII against critics, telling the audience that the Vatican worked quietly to save Jews from the Nazis during World War II.

Many Jews object to Benedict moving Pius toward sainthood.

Philippines: Fire

MANILA — Fire raced through a slum near the main port in the Philippine capital, leaving 4,000 people homeless and killing a 5-year-old girl, an official said Sunday.

The Saturday night blaze gutted 500 shanties, which were packed together in a crowded slum along the rim of Manila Bay, some housing two or three families. There were no other reports of deaths or major injuries at the Baseco Compound, Senior Fire Officer Emmanuel Gaspar said.

Turkey: Mideast

ANKARA — Israel's defense minister said Sunday that a daylong visit to Turkey had helped end an ugly diplomatic feud but analysts expressed skepticism that the trip would ease tensions rising since Israel's Gaza war.

Israeli Defense Minister Ehud Barak told reporters that the countries had moved beyond a disagreement that erupted after Israel's deputy foreign minister deliberately humiliated the Turkish ambassador to express anger over an anti-Israeli show on Turkish television.

Israel apologized, and Barak said at a joint news conference with Turkey's defense minister that, "I believe it was a mistake, and the right step was taken according to the norms of diplomacy."

Iran: Torture

TEHRAN — Tehran's former chief prosecutor on Sunday rejected a parliamentary report blaming him in part for the torture and deaths of at least three anti-government protesters during the turmoil after June's disputed presidential election.