Iran begins loading Bushehr nuclear reactor
August 21, 2010
Iran has begun loading fuel up its first nuclear power station in a ceremony attended by Russian officials.
Russia will operate the Bushehr plant in southern Iran, supplying its nuclear fuel and taking away the nuclear waste.
‘Terror bird’ was prize fighter
August 19, 2010
They are popularly called “terror birds”, and with good reason.
The giant, flightless beasts that roamed South America for more than 50 million years following the demise of the dinosaurs were fearsome predators.
New research shows the birds’ huge beaks could deliver swift and powerful pecks, very probably killing their victims in one blow before ripping the flesh from their bodies.
Indonesian cleric Abu Bakar Ba’asyir in terror arrest
August 9, 2010
The radical Muslim cleric, Abu Bakar Ba’asyir, has been arrested on terror charges in Indonesia.
Officials say he helped set up and fund an Islamic militant training camp in Aceh, uncovered by police in February.
Pakistan floods: Rescuers aim to reach stranded victims
August 3, 2010
Rescue teams in northern Pakistan are battling to reach tens of thousands of people still cut off by floodwaters.
Aid agencies said entire villages had been washed away in the region’s worst flooding for 80 years.
Koh-i-Noor diamond ’staying put’ in UK says Cameron
July 29, 2010
David Cameron has rejected calls for the famous Koh-i-Noor diamond, which has been part of the Crown Jewels for 150 years, to be returned to India.
The diamond, which was mined in India, was seized by the East India Company in 1849 and presented to Queen Victoria.
US says Wikileaks could ‘threaten national security’
July 26, 2010
The United States has condemned as “irresponsible” the leak of 90,000 military records, saying publication could threaten national security.
The documents released by the Wikileaks website include details of killings of Afghan civilians unreported until now.
Three news organisations had advance access to the records, which also show Nato concerns that Pakistan and Iran are helping the Taliban in Afghanistan.
North Korea warns of nuclear ’sacred war’
July 24, 2010
North Korea says it will use its “nuclear deterrent” in response to joint US-South Korean military exercises this weekend.
Pyongyang was ready to launch a “retaliatory sacred war” at any time, the state-run Korean Central News Agency (KCNA) said.
US fears Gulf seabed oil seepage near stricken BP well
July 19, 2010
The US fears oil may be seeping from the ocean floor near the stricken Gulf of Mexico oil well.
The official in charge of the clean-up, Thad Allen, said if a substance leaking from the seabed was found to be methane this might mean oil was also leaking.
Argentine Senate backs bill legalising gay marriage
July 15, 2010
Argentina has become the first country in Latin America to legalise gay marriage after the Senate voted in favour.
The country’s Chamber of Deputies had already approved the legislation.
The vote in the Senate, which backed the bill by just six votes, came after 14 hours of at times heated debate.
Thai government extends state of emergency in Bangkok
July 6, 2010
The Thai government has extended a state of emergency in 19 provinces, including the capital Bangkok, because of fears of renewed violence.
The emergency decree was revoked in five other provinces, after a three-month deadline expired.
The law was imposed during mass anti-government protests earlier this year in which 90 people were killed.
Prime Minister Abhisit Vejjajiva told the BBC on Monday that there would be a gradual lifting of emergency law.
Under emergency rule, public gatherings of more than five people are banned and security forces have the right to detain suspects for 30 days without charge.
More than 400 people have been arrested.
Thai Prime Minister Abhisit Vejjajiva: “We need to restore order now”
There have been calls by human rights organisations to lift what they describe as a “draconian” law, saying it risks driving opposition underground.
The five provinces where emergency rule has been lifted are Si Sa Ket, Kalasin, Nan, Nakhon Sawan and Nakhon Pathom, located in north, north-east and central Thailand.
There are 76 provinces in Thailand.
‘Legitimate frustrations’
The BBC’s Alastair Leithead in Bangkok said things appear to have largely returned to normal after anti-government protesters took over part of the capital demanding new elections.
But the government said there were still fears of instability as weapons taken from security forces during a riot in April had not been recovered.
Bangkok has largely returned to normal after weeks of anti-government protests were ended by the military, but the government has decided to extend the State of Emergency in the capital and 18 other provinces because of fears of further demonstrations and possible violence.
There is still considerable anger in the north-east of the country where the so-called red-shirt movement originates, and weapons abandoned by troops during riots in April have not been recovered.
Those calling for new elections say the emergency decree is stopping them from continuing their demonstrations, and the government’s position has been criticised by human rights groups and academics who argue stifling the voice of opposition could drive it underground and provoke violence.
“We have been informed there are people who continue to try to spread false information to spur hatred and instigate unrest,” said Ongart Klampaiboon, minister to the prime minister’s office, after the ruling.
The Centre for the Resolution of Emergency Situations (Cres) had recommended that emergency rule be extended across all affected provinces.
The Cres is made up of representatives from the armed forces, police and government ministries; key roles are held by military nominees.
It was set up to manage the government’s response to the so-called red-shirt anti-government protests in April and May.
The demonstrations were broken up by the military after violent clashes which left 90 dead and more than 2,000 injured.
Mr Abhisit has said he is beginning a process of reconciliation.
The International Crisis Group has warned that the “legitimate frustrations” of the anti-government movement were “being forced underground and possibly towards illegal and violent actions”.
The think tank called for the release of all those detained, and for an end to the “sweeping ban” on opposition media outlets.
A member of the “red-shirt” movement, currently in hiding in Thailand, has warned an underground group is already training in bomb-making.