Demonstrations

Chinese students clashed with demonstrators criticizing China's treatment of North Korean refugees at the Olympic torch relay in Seoul, throwing rocks and punches. The small groups of anti-torch demonstrators were far outnumbered by Chinese supporters. Police took away a protester who had doused himself with gasoline before he could set himself on fire. Thousands watched the torch relay peacefully today in North Korea.

Police clashed with tribesmen Saturday in the Red Sea coastal city of Port Sudan, leaving at least 14 people dead and 16 injured, a government official said. The United Nations said police fired on peaceful demonstrators.

Tens of thousands of Chilean high school students returned to their classrooms in Santiago, easing three weeks of sometimes violent protests that posed the first major leadership test for President Michelle Bachelet. Student leaders gathered to begin discussing Bachelet's proposal this week to include 12 students on a council to study sweeping education reforms. Bachelet, meanwhile, had lunch with President Bush in Washington.

Hundreds of protesters and counterprotesters assembled in Riverside in response to an attempt to crack down on illegal immigration. Protesters argued against a township ordinance adopted last month that bans the hiring and housing of people who cannot verify they are legal residents. A larger group massed to support the new law. The ordinance penalizes landlords and employers who house or hire illegal immigrants.

Tens of thousands of demonstrators thronged major Italian cities to protest planned government budget cuts, rallying in support of a general strike that snarled transport and closed post offices, banks and public offices across the country. Theaters in several cities performed "Requiem" funeral masses by Mozart, Verdi and Brahms "for the announced death of all cultural activities" due to reduced arts funding.

Police returned fire when gunmen attacked thousands of Haitian marchers demanding the ouster of President Jean-Bertrand Aristide in Port-au-Prince, and one person shot in the head died. Witnesses said the victim was a bystander. It was unclear whether the victim was shot by police or the attackers, who fled the scene. This is the fourth week of anti-Aristide demonstrations.

Hundreds of thousands of Sri Lankans took to the streets and joined hands Wednesday in demonstrations to urge their government to start peace talks with Tamil Tiger rebels. It was the largest display ever by Sri Lankans of all ethnic groups for an end to the separatist war launched by the Liberation Tigers of Tamil Eelam 18 years ago. The rebels say Sri Lanka's 3.2 million Tamils need a homeland to prosper away from domination by the Sinhalese, who make up 14 million of the country's 18.

Somalia's newly dominant Islamists shot and killed a man protesting new taxes. About 40 young men carrying plastic bags to collect cash began levying the taxes on business owners and traders in the city of Jawhar, sparking a protest by about 100 people. A local Islamist militia leader said one demonstrator was slain.

Thousands of police, fire and teachers union members rallied to demand higher pay raises than the 3% New York City Mayor Michael R. Bloomberg was willing to give them. "After 9/11 ... they said, 'We will never forget,' " Patrolmen's Benevolent Assn. President Patrick Lynch told the rally outside City Hall. "Ladies and gentlemen, I'm sorry to stand here and report that they have forgotten."

Five antiwar activists, four of whom went on a hunger strike almost four weeks ago, were arrested for demonstrating without a permit after they blocked an entrance to the White House during British Prime Minister Tony Blair's meeting with President Bush. The protesters were from the group CodePink.