World News Briefs -- May 28, 2009

South Korean soldiers look towards North Korea from an observation post in Paju near the Demilitarised Zone (DMZ) dividing the two Koreas on May 27, 2009. South Korea and the United States put their troops on higher alert in the Korean peninsula Thursday after the North said it was ending a truce in force for half a century and warned of a possible attack. (AFP/File/Jung Yeon-Je)

U.S., S. Korea On High Alert After N. Korea Renounces Truce -- Yahoo News/AP

SEOUL, South Korea – The U.S. and South Korea put their military forces on high alert Thursday after North Korea renounced the truce keeping the peace between the two Koreas since 1953. The North also accused the U.S. of preparing to attack the isolated communist country in the wake of its second nuclear bomb test, and warned it would retaliate to any hostility with "merciless" and dangerous ferocity.

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MIDDLE EAST

Iran: Many die in Zahedan mosque bombing.

Iran says it boosts uranium enrichment capability.

Bomb kills G.I. in Baghdad as attacks keep rising.

Israel rebuffs US call for total settlement freeze.

Turkish jets strike rebels in northern Iraq.

ASIA

US: 29 insurgents killed in eastern Afghanistan. Taliban kill Afghan students, burn schools.

Pakistani extremists attack marketplaces, warn of all-out assaults. Bombs, gun battle, rock Pakistan's Peshawar.

Iraq redux? Obama seeks funds for Pakistan super-embassy.

Burma's history recalled as Suu Kyi trial goes on.

China's lawyers face a crackdown.

AFRICA

Africa's growth to slump to 2% in 2009: UN.

Mogadishu victims swamp hospitals.

Opposition anger at Niger leader.

Hezbollah cell training in Sudan.

Nigerian militant leader killed.

Sudan regains control of key Chad-border town: army.

EUROPE

Left out of D-Day events, Queen Elizabeth is Fuming.

U.K. expenses scandal claims two more lawmakers.

Anger, disappointment sour EU parliament vote.

Violence mars party in Barcelona.

EU states seen backing duties on U.S. biodiesel.

Putin visits Belarus after leader's outburst.

AMERICAS

7.1 earthquake topples homes, kills 4 in Honduras.

FARC announce armed strike in Arauca.

Dam rupture leaves thousands stranded in Brazil.

Venezuela's Chavez launches 4-day talkathon.

TERRORISM/THE LONG WAR

FBI planning a bigger role in terrorism fight.

Canada: Federal minister warns of homegrown terrorism.

CIA deputy chief in Yemen for talks on al-Qaida.

ECONOMIC/FINANCIAL CRISIS

Mortgage delinquencies, foreclosures, rates increase. 1 in 8 US homeowners late paying or in foreclosure.

GM makes new bondholder offer ahead of bankruptcy.

Despite Obama's optimism, economic outlook remains grim.

Ecuador may default on 2015 bonds, Credit Suisse says.