World scene

NORTH KOREA

U.S. envoy seeks return to nuke talks

SEOUL | An envoy dispatched by President Obama launched a mission Tuesday to coax North Korea to rejoin international talks on ending its nuclear programs amid warnings of strong sanctions if Pyongyang refuses.

Veteran diplomat Stephen Bosworth’s visit is being watched for signs as to whether the isolated communist country will return to the negotiating table after carrying out an atomic test blast in May and quitting the six-nation talks.

Mr. Bosworth arrived in the North Korean capital Tuesday along with Washington’s lead nuclear negotiator, Sung Kim.

In Washington, State Department spokesman P.J. Crowley told reporters that Mr. Bosworth and his team likely had meetings Tuesday and expected more high-level talks Wednesday. He said U.S. officials don’t expect any communication with Mr. Bosworth’s group until it leaves North Korea.

PAKISTAN

12 killed in attack on intelligence office

MULTAN | A team of militants launched a gun, rocket and suicide attack on an intelligence office in central Pakistan on Tuesday, killing 12 people in a strike that showed the insurgents can hit deep in the heart of the country.

A day earlier, twin bombings at a market in the eastern city of Lahore killed 49.

In the capital, prosecutors presented the Supreme Court with a list of purported graft cases involving President Asif Ali Zardari and thousands of other officials that could be reopened if judges there declare illegal a recently expired amnesty protecting them.

UGANDA

Bill proposes death penalty for gays

KAMPALA | Proposed legislation would impose the death penalty on some gay Ugandans, and their families and friends could face up to seven years in prison if they fail to report them to authorities. Even landlords could be imprisoned for renting to homosexuals.

The legislation was proposed in Uganda after a visit by leaders of U.S. conservative Christian ministries that promote therapy for gays to become heterosexual. However, at least one of those leaders has denounced the bill, as have some other conservative and liberal Christians in the United States.

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