Capping a day of solemn remembrance, thousands of paper lanterns representing the souls of the dead were floated on a Hiroshima river yesterday near ground zero for the world's first atomic-bomb attack 60 years ago.

The annual lantern observance brought to a close a full day of memorials, from official gatherings to a "die-in" and dozens of peace rallies.

At 8:15 a.m., the moment of the 1945 blast, the city's trolleys stopped. More than 55,000 people, including Prime Minister Junichiro Koizumi, observed a moment of silence at Peace Memorial Park that was broken only by the ringing of a bronze bell.

A flock of doves was released into the sky. Then wreaths and ladles of water — symbolizing the suffering of those who died in the atomic inferno — were offered at a simple, arch-shaped stone monument at the center of the park.

Toronto

Jet inquiry reveals

escape malfunctions

Investigators trying to determine why an Air France jet skidded off a runway Tuesday said yesterday that only four of the aircraft's eight doors and emergency exits were used to escape the burning jetliner, and that two emergency slides malfunctioned.

Real Levasseur of Canada's Transportation Safety Board said one of the four exit doors used by the 309 passengers and crew in their rush to disembark was difficult to open, and that the fire after the crash may have prevented access to the other doors.

Levasseur also said two slides used failed to work, even though they are supposed to automatically unfold when the emergency doors are opened.

The discovery confirms comments by many passengers and witnesses who said some of the slides and emergency exits were not functioning, forcing people to jump from as high as 4 or 5 yards.

Cairo, Egypt

Wannabe presidents

cut from dozens to 2

Dozens of Egyptians lined up last week to apply to run for president in the Sept. 7 elections — movie extras, technicians, retired government employees, drivers and even a convicted assassin of former President Anwar Sadat. All were rejected.

For many of those who made the attempt, it was a chance to present their dreams in a nation where those outside the elite have had little say in their country's affairs. But all of the independent would-be candidates were rejected, failing to meet candidate requirements.

Only two candidates of significance will face President Hosni Mubarak: Noman Gomaa of the Wafd, Egypt's oldest and largest opposition party, and Ayman Nour, head of the Al-Ghad party and one of Mubarak's most outspoken critics.

Also

Longtime foes India and Pakistan formally agreed yesterday to inform each other about planned missile tests and set up a hot line by September to lessen the chances for accidental war between the nuclear-armed neighbors.

Compiled from Reuters and The Associated Press