World News Briefs -- May 18, 2010 (Evening Edition)

Clinton Announces Iran Sanctions Agreement -- L.A. Times

Washington…Secretary of State Hillary Rodham told a Senate committee that U.S. officials have reached agreement with council members China, Russia, Great Britain and France for a draft sanctions resolution that will be sent to the full 15 member council later Tuesday.

The announcement to the Senate Foreign Relations Committee came one day after Iran offered a diplomatic proposal that many Western leaders view as an attempt to deflect the new round of economic strictures.

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MIDDLE EAST

U.S. envoy arrives for Israeli-Palestinian talks.

After Iraq elections, panel says it will keep trying to disqualify new lawmakers.

Iran prepared to block gulf oil and wreck western economies.

Iran and Turkey reach unexpected accord on enriched uranium.

Palestinians go door-to-door to combat settlement goods.

Saudi forces free 2 German girls abducted in Yemen.

ASIA

South Korea: North responsible for torpedo attack on warship. Seoul to blame North Korea for warship attack: report. Obama calls South Korea's Lee over ship sinking, Clinton to visit Seoul.

Taliban suicide bomb hits NATO convoy, kills 18.

Thai government dismisses talks to end deadly protest.

North Korea calls rare parliament session, silent on agenda.

Sri Lanka one year on from war.

AFRICA

U.S. envoy Gration says Sudan's peace accord is in peril.

Yemen sentences Somali pirates to death.

Zimbabwe failing mass eviction victims: Amnesty.

Rift between Somali President, PM, deepens turmoil.

Egyptians go online to seek political change.

EUROPE

Ukraine wants parity in energy cooperation with Russia - energy minister.

Russia invites Ukraine to join ex - Soviet security bloc.

German synagogue attacked by arsonists.

French court frees man who killed ex-Iranian PM.

AMERICAS

EU-Latin America summit opens in Madrid.

Oil spill scrutiny turns to Obama administration.

Mexican rebels disown ex-candidate disappearance.

Mexican leader to visit U.S. as woes mount.

TERRORISM/THE LONG WAR

Suspected Times Square bomber to appear in NY court.

Essex home raided over Iran dirty bomb threat.

Appointment of admiral seen as key in 9/11 trial switch.

Iraq official alleges Qaeda plotted World Cup attack.

ECONOMY/FINANCE/BUSINESS

BP’s oil spill cost so far: $625 million (and counting).

China’s one-time richest man jailed for 14 years.

Sterling slides on fiscal fears.

Google set for probes on data harvesting.

Greece gets first 14.5 bln euros of EU rescue loans.