Iran nuke threat

Tehran, Jan. 3 (Reuters): Iran announced today it would resume atomic fuel research and development next week, raising the spectre of a fresh showdown with the West.

The news coincided with strong hints from Iran’s foreign ministry that Tehran would reject a Russian compromise proposal aimed at defusing Iran’s nuclear row with the West.

Virginia mine

Tallmansville, West Virginia (Reuters): Rescuers planned to deploy a robot to help in the desperate search on Tuesday for 13 miners trapped for almost 24 hours deep inside a West Virginia coal mine following an explosion.

London 7/7

London (Reuters): The London bombings last July which killed 52 commuters cost no more than several hundred pounds to carry out, the BBC said on Tuesday.

Palestine

Jerusalem (Reuters): Campaigning began on Tuesday for a Palestinian legislative election clouded by speculation that President Mahmoud Abbas could delay voting.

Beijing rank

Beijing (AP): Beijing has plunged in an annual ranking of China’s most livable cities. The Chinese capital dropped to 15th place ? from third in 2004 ? on a list compiled by a Beijing-based consulting firm.

Caviar block

Geneva (Reuters): The UN on Tuesday blocked caviar exports until producer countries around the Caspian and Black Seas gave better information on stock levels and illegal sales of the delicacy.