Saturday, February 23, 2013

World News Briefs -- February 23, 2013

A poster of Iran's Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei and the late Ayatollah Ruhollah Khomeini is seen next to bank of centrifuges in what is described by Iranian state television as a facility in Natanz, in this still image taken from video released Feb. 15, 2012. IRIB Iranian TV via Reuters TV/Reuters

Iran Discovers More Uranium Ore And Chooses Sites For New Nuclear Plants -- The Guardian

Unconfirmed find would treble country's estimated supply of raw uranium

Iran has announced the discovery of new deposits of raw uranium to feed its nuclear programme and has identified sites for 16 more nuclear power stations, just days before talks with Western powers over its disputed atomic programme.

The Iran Atomic Energy Organisation report cited by the state news agency, IRNA, on Saturday said the deposits had been found in "southern coastal areas" and had trebled the amount outlined in previous estimates.

Read more ....

MIDDLE EAST

Battle for Syria's Aleppo airport intensifies as regime tries to reverse rebel gains.

Syria opposition to boycott upcoming talks.

Israel monitors weapons transfers to Syrian rebels.

Iran announces uranium discovery, plans to build 16 new nuclear power plants.

Tortuous coalition talks may force Israelis back to polls.

Medic says man shot in stomach as Jewish settlers clash with Palestinians in West Bank village.

Two killed in Yemeni separatist clashes.

ASIA

North Korea warns U.S. forces of "destruction" ahead of war drills.

Abe vows to revive Japanese economy, sees no escalation with China.

U.S., Japan agree on approach to trans-Pacific partnership talks.

India's secret executions raise concerns.

Talk of peace with Pakistan Taliban angers victims.

Maldives ex-president leaves Indian embassy.

China acknowledges 'cancer villages'.

AFRICA

Heavy casualties in northern Mali fighting. Thirteen Chadian soldiers, 65 rebels killed in Mali.

DR Congo 'on brink of major conflict'.

Egypt opposition leader calls for election boycott. ElBaradei calls for Egypt election boycott.

Djibouti opposition ends election boycott.

Credible Zimbabwe elections could mean end of US sanctions.

Ex-UN chief Kofi Annan warns that ethnic rivalries, violence could harm March 4 Kenya vote.

Many South Africans live in constant fear of crime.

EUROPE

Moody's strips Britain of triple-A rating in major blow to Osborne.

Eurozone downturn and deficits to persist, Commission says.

Papal resignation linked to inquiry into 'Vatican gay officials', says paper. Vatican spokesman Father Federico Lombardi criticises rumours surrounding Pope's resignation.

Italy urges high turnout in critical election for euro zone.

Horsemeat scandal: François Hollande calls for European meat labelling.

Spain grumbles as king's son-in-law appears in court.

German president: make English the language of EU.

AMERICAS

State Department updates worldwide caution for U.S. travelers.

White House to give senators Benghazi documents.

Ex-Mexico official: List of missing doesn't exist.

Reports that Mexican drug kingpin died in shootout almost certainly false.

Uruguay's Supreme Court rules against dictatorship trials.

Health of Hugo Chávez not improving, Venezuelan government indicates.

Nuclear tank leaking in Washington state.

TERRORISM/THE LONG WAR

Senator Graham: America has killed 4,700 people with drones.

How should we treat American Jihadists? (commentary)

Leader of Al-Qaeda in Sudan killed in Mali : reports.

ECONOMY/FINANCE/BUSINESS

Wal-Mart warns of weak sales throughout quarter.

Hollywood's bodyguards: Inside the world of celebrity security detail.

Microsoft hacked by same cyberattack as Apple and Facebook.

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