Tuesday, March 6, 2012

World News Briefs -- March 6, 2012

International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) Yukiya Amano attends a board of governors meeting at the United Nations headquarters in Vienna March 5. The United Nations nuclear watchdog chief said on Monday there were indications of 'activities' taking place at an Iranian military site which his inspectors want to visit as part of an investigation into Tehran's atomic activities. Herwig Prammer/Reuters

Iran Agrees to Limited Inspection of Secret Military Site, Reports Say -- New York Times

LONDON — An Iranian news agency said on Tuesday that Tehran would permit inspectors from the International Atomic Energy Agency, the United Nations’ nuclear supervisory body, to visit a secret military complex to which they have been denied access.

But a news release from Iran’s representatives at the I.A.E.A. headquarters in Vienna suggested that the offer was conditional, preliminary and limited to only two of the five areas that the agency’s experts wished to discuss. It also accused the agency of ignoring an agreement to postpone its request to visit the secret site at Parchin until after a meeting this week of the agency’s board of governors.

Read more ....

MIDDLE EAST

Israel’s Channel 2: U.S. officials believe Netanyahu has already decided to strike Iran. Israel impatient, but still mulling Iran strike. Netanyahu tells Obama Israel may attack Iran alone if necessary.

Syria faces outrage; "smell of death" in Homs. Opposition: 14 killed in Syria as regime attacks escape route to Lebanon. Syrian forces blast rebels, refugees escape bridge. Report: Syrian military hospitals torturing patients.

185 Yemeni troops dead in weekend Al-Qaida attack. Over 180 soldiers killed in Yemen Al-Qaeda attack. Yemen's weakened military suffers setback against Islamist militants.

Iran to allow UN inspectors into secret nuclear site as 'good will gesture'. U.S. & others offer Iran nuclear negotiations.

Palestinians feel left behind by Obama’s pro-Israel stand.

Hamas rules out military support for Iran in any war with Israel.

ASIA

Afghan investigator: US burning of Qurans was intentional.

Leadership rift emerges in Pakistani Taliban.

North Korea stages live-fire military drills amid tensions.

Wen's address to China's National People's Congress offers few surprises.

Thai police seek extradition of terror mastermind.

India's ruling Congress party loses key state poll.

More than 13,000 flee east Australia floods.

AFRICA

Tribal leaders, militia commanders declare semiautonomous region in oil-rich eastern Libya.

All targets struck in Libya were military.

Death toll from blasts in Congo Brazzaville reflects bad urban planning. Republic of Congo state radio says 236 dead, overflowing morgue, after arms depot blasts.

At least 65 die as tropical storm batters Madagascar.

South Africa's mines 'will never be nationalised'.

EUROPE

Russia election: Police release anti-Putin protesters. Putin's spokesman defends arrests of protesters.

Russia election loser 'outraged' as Putin loses patience with protesters.

'Better a dictator than gay,' Belarus President Alexander Lukashenko says.

Greece goes down to the wire, again! Bondholder group sees 1 trillion euro Greek default risk.

Police hunt thief who stole ancient heart of Irish saint Laurence O'Toole.

AMERICAS

Obama shifts location of G-8 summit from hometown of Chicago to his Camp David retreat.

More than half of Americans back Obama's Koran apology.

In Mexico, Biden shoots down talk of drug legalization.

Chavez faces more cancer treatment before Venezuela vote.

Jamaican PM calls for compensation from UK ahead of Prince Harry's visit.

TERRORISM/THE LONG WAR

US Attorney General justifies terrorism kill policy.

Pakistan Taliban removes deputy head Maulvi Faqir Mohammad.

Osama bin Laden's family members to leave Pakistan.

ECONOMY/FINANCE/BUSINESS

Megaupload founder extradition papers filed by US.

Demand for the ‘iPad 3’ soars ahead of launch event.

Oil slides to $106 on global growth concerns.

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