World News Briefs -- January 11, 2010

North Korea Calls for Peace Treaty Talks With U.S. -- New York Times

SEOUL, South Korea — North Korea on Monday proposed talks with the United States to reach a formal peace treaty that would replace the truce that ended the Korean War 57 years ago, indicating it would not give up its nuclear weapons until Washington signed such an agreement.

North Korea said peace talks should be held either as part of the six-nation talks that focus on ending the North’s nuclear weapons program or as a separate negotiation. But the North added that it would not return to six-nation talks — from which it withdrew last April — unless the United Nations lifted the sanctions it imposed following the nuclear and ballistic missile tests by the North last year.

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MIDDLE EAST

Yemeni President vows crackdown on al-Qaeda branch. Yemen’s President says government is willing to talk to disarmed Qaeda fighters.

'Watch your step,' Barak warns Hamas over renewed Gaza rocket fire.

U.S. has contingency plan for dealing with Iran, Petraeus says.

Iran panel rebukes official for abuses.

Iraqis say they were forced to take Blackwater settlement.

Israel OKs fence on Egyptian border.

ASIA

Three days of violence in Karachi kill 35.

Corrupt China officials pocket 50 billion: media.

Churches attacked amid furor in Malaysia.

Rajapaksa woos minority Tamils as Sri Lanka Presidential vote nears.

AFRICA

Angola arrests 2 suspects in Togo team attack.

Rival Somali Islamic militias clash, killing 14.

Is Sudan moving back to the brink of war?

EUROPE

Croatia elects Social Democrat Josipovic as President.

Race riots grip Italian town, and Mafia is suspected.

Islamic Group cancels antiwar march in Britain.

N. Ireland leader urged to quit over wife's affair.

Europe slapping rich with massive traffic fines.

AMERICAS

Chavez says military will monitor Venezuelan prices.

Tijuana reels amid a surge of violence.

Argentine President and central bank in standoff.

TERRORISM/THE LONG WAR

In Hasan case, superiors ignored their own worries.

Obama's havoc to the intel system (Editorial).

Is Al Qaeda’s new terrorist strategy making the US less secure?

ECONOMY/FINANCE/BUSINESS

High U.S. debt means slower growth, history suggests.

China banks eclipse US rivals.

Road projects don't help unemployment.

Number of long-term US unemployed hits highest rate since 1948.