A round-up of other world news in brief
US to give Iran time to decide on atomic deal
VIENNA – The US is willing to give Iran time to decide whether to accept a UN-brokered deal meant to allay suspicions it is after atomic bombs but which has drawn Iranian objections, a US diplomat said yesterday.
The plan for Iran to part with stocks of potential nuclear explosive material in exchange for fuel has stumbled on Iranian calls for amendments and more talks, which Washington has rejected.
Addressing Iran’s misgivings over sending low-enriched uranium (LEU) abroad before it gets reactor fuel in return, the UN nuclear agency chief has suggested Iran place the LEU in a friendly third country pending arrival of the fuel. – (Reuters)
Muslims targeted in London attacks
LONDON – A police investigation has been launched following apparent racist attacks on Muslim students in London in which three people were stabbed.
In the worst incident, last Thursday evening, a mob of 30 white and black youths is said to have surrounded Asian students near City University in central London and attacked them with metal poles, bricks and sticks while shouting racist abuse.
Three people – two students and a passerby who tried to intervene – were stabbed.
The attack was the culmination of a series of confrontations over several nights near the university.
– ( Guardianservice)
Aid teams tackle dengue epidemic
PRAIA – International medical teams have landed in Cape Verde to fight a dengue fever epidemic that has killed six and is suspected to have hit 12,000 in a country of just over 400,000 inhabitants, authorities said yesterday.
France, Portugal, Switzerland and Thailand have flown in 29 medical staff with equipment and medication following an international appeal for assistance issued last week by the West African island state and the World Health Organisation.
There are currently 76 confirmed cases of haemorrhagic fever, which is the most lethal form of dengue. – (Reuters)
Burma's Suu Kyi may be released
Burma’s opposition leader, Aung San Suu Kyi, may soon be released so she can play a role in next year’s election, a Burmese diplomat has said.
“There is a plan to release her soon . . . so she can organise her party,” Min Lwin, a director general in the foreign ministry, told the Associated Press.
He gave no details and it was unclear whether Aung San Suu Kyi would be allowed to campaign or stand for election. Despite the conciliatory remarks, the country’s constitution includes provisions that bar her from holding office and ensure the primacy of the government in the military.
– ( Guardianservice)
Palestinians breach wall
QALANDIYA, West Bank – Activists made a hole in Israel’s West Bank wall for the second time in less than a week yesterday in a demonstration to mark the 20th anniversary of the fall of the Berlin Wall.
Their faces masked, the activists tethered a two-metre (six-foot) wide section of the cement barrier to a truck, which then pulled it over.
The crowd of about 50, which had gathered at a section of the barrier near an Israeli checkpoint at Qalandiya, cheered as the section fell.
Israeli troops fired tear gas at the crowd, some of whom threw stones over the wall.
– (Reuters)