We may strike first, Iran warns
BY Times of Malta
PUBLISHED 08:48, February 22, 2012
A top Iranian general has warned that it will pre-emptively strike anyone who threatens it. The statement by General Mohammed Hejazi continues the defiant tone Tehran has taken in its confrontation with Western countries that claim it is developing nuclear weapons. Iran says its nuclear programme is for peaceful purposes. “We do not wait for enemies to take action against... [Full article]
Australian foreign minister quits in leadership crisis
BY Reuters | PHOTO Charles Platiau/Reuters
PUBLISHED 08:40, February 22, 2012
Australian Foreign Minister Kevin Rudd resigned his ministry on Wednesday, saying he could no longer work with Prime Minister Julia Gillard, stoking speculation he would mount a leadership challenge and plunging the government into a new crisis. The government has sunk in popularity as Gillard and Rudd, who she ousted in 2010, have waged a personal feud. They differ little on policy, but their battle threatens to lead to an early election and a defeat for its economic reform agenda. Rudd’s supporters have called on Gillard to hold a leadership ballot, believing only he can stem hemorrhaging voter support, but... [Full article]
Venezuela’s Chavez needs another operation
BY Euronews
PUBLISHED 08:50, February 22, 2012
Venezuela’s Hugo Chavez will undergo another operation in Cuba in the coming days after doctors found a possibly malignant lesion in his pelvis where surgeons removed a large cancerous tumour last year, he said on Tuesday. The 57-year-old socialist president confirmed he travelled to Havana for the tests on Saturday. Rumours of the unannounced trip had prompted a flood of... [Full article]
Robert Mugabe as ‘fit as a fiddle’ as he vows to hold elections this year
BY The Telegraph
PUBLISHED 08:55, February 22, 2012
In an interview with the Zimbabwe state broadcaster to mark his 88th birthday Mr Mugabe joked: “I have died many times. That’s where I have beaten Christ. Christ died once and resurrected once.” Mr Mugabe who is Africa’s oldest leader laughed repeatedly during a long interview saying he had no intention of stepping down now. “Our members of the party... [Full article]
Red Cross calls for ceasefire as Homs faces shortages
BY France 24 | PHOTO AFP/getty
PUBLISHED 08:53, February 22, 2012
Residents of Homs are running low on food, water and other supplies as Syrian forces continue to pound the embattled city. The Red Cross called Tuesday for a two-hour daily ceasefire to allow much-needed humanitarian aid to reach civilians. Food and water are running... [Full article]
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NATO apology fails to assuage Afghan rage over Koran burning
BY Deutsche Welle
PUBLISHED 08:46, February 22, 2012
Protests continued on Wednesday in Afghanistan over NATO’s inadvertent burning of copies of the Koran. Angry protesters took to the streets in Kabul, Jalalabad and Herat. More than 1,000 Afghans in Kabul, Jalalabad and Herat clashed with police for a second day on Wednesday after NATO admitted to inadvertently burning copies of the Koran, the Muslim holy book. Angry protesters hurled stones and shouted “Death to America, death to Obama, death to Karzai!” On the outskirts of Kabul, shots were fired into the crowd, injuring several people. “They are marching towards Kabul. Police are trying to stop them. We have sent more reinforcements to the area,” Police spokesman Ashmat Estanakzai told the AFP news agency.... [Full article]
Iran halts oil sales to UK, France on eve of talks
BY Reuters | PUBLISHED 08:24, February 20, 2012
Iran ordered a halt to its oil sales to Britain and France on Sunday in a move seen... [Full article]
Mexico drug gang warfare leaves 44 dead in prison near Monterrey
BY The Guardian | PUBLISHED 08:23, February 20, 2012
A fight between prison inmates associated with rival drug gangs killed 44 inside a jail near the city... [Full article]
Activist Buddhist monk faces legal action in Burma
BY France 24 | PUBLISHED 08:22, February 20, 2012
Shin Gambira, a Myanmar monk jailed for his role in protests in 2007 and released in a January... [Full article]
Three dead, up to 8 missing in Washington state avalanche
BY Hürriyet Daily News | PUBLISHED 08:21, February 20, 2012
Three people were killed and as many as eight others were missing on Sunday after an avalanche near... [Full article]
Anti-Putin protesters get round rally ban
BY Euronews | PUBLISHED 08:21, February 20, 2012
In the Siberian city of Barnaul, anti-Vladimir Putin protesters got round a local ban on demonstrations by substituting... [Full article]
Egypt presidential election: Decision on date delayed
BY BBC News | PUBLISHED 08:19, February 20, 2012
Egyptian election officials have failed to confirm the date of the first presidential election since the overthrow of... [Full article]
At least 24 killed in Russian Caucasus fighting
BY Reuters | PUBLISHED 00:29, February 19, 2012
Seventeen police and at least seven insurgents were killed in four days of fighting on the border between... [Full article]
Tangled up in green tape
BY The Economist | PUBLISHED 00:26, February 19, 2012
Pity the engineers responsible for keeping America’s coal-fired power plants up to standard. Late last year a court... [Full article]
One year on: “The real problem in Libya today is that weapons are everywhere”
BY France 24 | PUBLISHED 00:24, February 19, 2012
One year ago, Libyans started the revolution that would end up toppling Muammar Gaddafi. Our Observers in Libya... [Full article]
Hague fears Iran could start ‘new Cold War’
BY BBC News | PUBLISHED 00:22, February 19, 2012
Iran’s nuclear ambitions could plunge the Middle East into “a new Cold War”, the UK foreign secretary has... [Full article]