A round-up of today's world news in brief
Genetic test for prostate cancer possible
LONDON -A genetic test that identifies men most at risk of prostate cancer could be available within three years, scientists said yesterday. Doctors will use the test in screening programmes to spot the disease in its earliest stages.
Scientists began work on the test following a landmark study of nearly 2,000 cancer patients, which found seven previously unknown genetic markers that are linked to the disease. The findings, reported in the journal Nature Genetics, pave the way for the first reliable screening test for men at high risk of the disease, but might also lead to new drug therapies for the condition. - (Guardian service)
Mexican leader set for US visit
MEXICO CITY -Mexico's Felipe Calderon makes his first visit to the US as president this week, aiming to lift the profile of Mexican immigrants after his predecessor failed to persuade Washington to reform immigration laws.
Mr Calderon, who faces a brutal drug war, a slowing economy and high jobless rates at home, will try to tighten links with fellow Mexicans working north of the border. - (Reuters)
Kenya talks enter crucial stage
NAIROBI -Kenya's rival parties geared up yesterday to thrash out a powersharing agreement to end a deadly crisis over Mwai Kibaki's disputed re-election as president.
Both sides conceded ground last week at talks mediated by former UN boss Kofi Annan, paving the way for a deal to stop turmoil that has killed more than 1,000 and uprooted 300,000 more. - (Reuters)
Iran's president sets date for Iraq visit
TEHRAN -Iranian president Mahmoud Ahmadinejad is expected to visit neighbouring Iraq by March 19th, Iran's foreign minister said yesterday.
"All the necessary preparations and arrangements have been made for this trip and, God willing, it will take place before the end of the year," foreign minister Manouchehr Mottaki said.
He was referring to the Iranian year which ends on March 19th. - (Reuters)
North Sea oil rig workers evacuated
LONDON -Workers from a North Sea accommodation platform were evacuated yesterday after reports of a bomb threat, but officials said the threat turned out to be a false alarm.
About 14 helicopters and a Nimrod reconnaissance aircraft were sent to the Safe Scandinavia platform in the Britannia oil field, 210km (130 miles) northeast of Aberdeen. - (Reuters)
Saccharin linked to obesity risk
LONDON -People who use an artificial sweetener may be at greater risk of obesity than those who use normal sugar, American scientists warned yesterday. Researchers raised concerns after experiments with animals showed they ate more food and put on more fat if saccharin was part of their diet.
The researchers believe zero-calorie artificial sweeteners may disrupt the body's ability to associate sweet tastes with high calories. - (Guardian service)
McCartney and Mills set for court
LONDON -Paul McCartney and his estranged wife, Heather Mills, will today embark on the latest stage of their divorce proceedings.
Having apparently failed to agree a settlement over recent months, the pair enter the Royal Courts of Justice in London for a week-long battle over the slice of the former Beatle's fortune due to Mills and their daughter, Beatrice. Reports on Saturday that there had been a last-minute deal worth £55 million (€73.7 million) by the time their daughter is 18 were unconfirmed. - (PA)