WORLD

AFGHANISTAN

"Another decade" for troops

President Hamid Karzai warned Thursday in London that foreign troops must stay in his country for another decade, as world powers agreed on an exit map including a plan to persuade Taliban fighters to disarm in exchange for jobs and homes. Divisions emerged between the United States and its partners over Kabul's willingness to court Taliban leaders who once harbored al-Qaida, instead of the more limited deal for lower-ranking fighters emphasized by the Americans. The conference was called to help the allies find a way out of the Afghan war amid rising U.S. and NATO casualties and falling public support. The 70 nations and international organizations backed Karzai's plan to reintegrate Taliban willing to "cut ties with al-Qaida and other terrorist groups." The Taliban dismissed any reconciliation plan, saying on their Web site that their fighters wouldn't be swayed by financial incentives and would fight on until foreign troops leave.

IRAN

Two more executed

Iran executed two men accused of involvement in an armed anti-government group Thursday, as the public prosecutor announced that new death sentences have been issued against activists involved in protests over June's disputed presidential election. The announcements marked an escalation by the courts enforcing the clerical leadership's months-long crackdown. The two men, who were hanged before dawn, did not appear to be connected to the postelection protests. Ann Harrison, an Iran expert at Amnesty International, said the two were arrested before the elections but were dragged into the post-election crackdown "as part of these mass show trials."

NORTH KOREA

Second American detainee

The State Department said Thursday in Washington U.S. officials have been unable to confirm a report by North Korea's government-run Korean Central News Agency that another American was detained Monday for allegedly entering illegally from China. North Korea said in late December that it was holding a U.S. citizen for illegally entering through the North Korea-China border. State Department spokesman P.J. Crowley said that man is Robert Park, an American missionary. North Korea, meanwhile, fired more artillery near its western sea border with South Korea. The South did not respond but was watching the North's maneuvers.

PERU

Tourists flee mudslides

Skies cleared over the fabled Machu Picchu citadel Thursday, speeding the evacuation of stranded tourists, many of whom were left to eat from communal pots and sleep outdoors after weekend flooding and mudslides cut access to the area. By nightfall, helicopters had ferried 1,402 people out of the remote village, the closest to the ancient Inca ruins 8,000 feet up in the Andes. Tourism Minister Martin Perez said only 800 tourists remained in town. He said helicopters had taken out 2,542 tourists since Monday. More than 3,000 travelers had been trapped in the town for days, strapping resources. The Inca trail was closed Tuesday after a mudslide killed two people.