World briefs 1/27/06

Iraq: Release of detainees may free journalist

BAGHDAD, Iraq -- The U.S. military released five Iraqi women detainees Thursday, and a top Iraqi police officer expressed hope the move might help win the freedom of kidnapped American Jill Carroll. However, U.S. officials insisted the release was not linked to the demand by Carroll's kidnappers that all women detainees be freed. The women were among 420 detainees being released Thursday and Friday, the U.S. command said. Gen. Hussein Ali Kamal, head of intelligence at the Interior Ministry, said freeing the Iraqi women "might assist in releasing Carroll," a freelance reporter for The Christian Science Monitor. Carroll, 28, was kidnapped by gunmen Jan. 7 after leaving the Baghdad office of a Sunni Arab politician, Adnan al-Dulaimi.

U.S. companies to pay Agent Orange damages

SEOUL, South Korea -- A South Korean court ordered two U.S. manufacturers of the defoliant Agent Orange to pay $62 million in medical compensation Thursday to local veterans of the Vietnam War and their families. The Seoul High Court ordered Dow Chemical Co. in Midland, Mich., and Monsanto Co. in St. Louis to compensate about 6,800 people. It was the first time a South Korean court has ruled in favor of people seeking compensation from the makers of Agent Orange.

Mexico City detains 'Little Old Lady Killer' suspect

MEXICO CITY -- Mexico City police had two suspected serial killers in custody Thursday, saying they have solved the capital's infamous "Little Old Lady Killer" case and have broken another string of murders. Authorities said Juana Barraza, 48, was caught fleeing a house Wednesday where an 82-year-old woman had been strangled with a stethoscope. Prosecutors said they have evidence implicating Barraza as the notorious "Mataviejitas," or "Little Old Lady Killer," suspected in the slayings of at least 10 elderly women in the past two years. Another suspect, Raul Osiel Marroquin, 29, was arrested Monday in the killings of four homosexual men in the capital, police said. Both suspects confessed to killing at least some of the victims when they were paraded in front of the media, a tradition in Mexico where police and prosecutors have faced withering criticism for failing to investigate, let alone solve, most crimes.

Russian proposal could resolve Iran nuclear crisis

DAVOS, Switzerland -- U.N. nuclear chief Mohamed ElBaradei said Thursday he was hopeful that a Russian proposal could help solve the international crisis over Iran's nuclear program. Speaking at the World Economic Forum's annual meeting, ElBaradei said he was pleased that Tehran's top nuclear negotiator, Ali Larijani, on Wednesday called Russia's proposal to move Iran's enrichment program to Russian territory "positive." ElBaradei said he also was encouraged that all parties still were discussing a diplomatic solution. His comments came amid quickening diplomatic negotiations ahead of a crucial Feb. 2 meeting of his International Atomic Energy Agency, which could refer the issue to the Security Council. The 15-member council has the power to impose economic and political sanctions on Iran.

-- From wire reports