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Key powers push for tougher sanctions against Iran

WASHINGTON (AFP) - The United States and France said they will push for "strong" new UN anti-nuclear sanctions against Iran after the Middle East state announced it was going to step up its uranium enrichment.

Published 3 hours, 48 minutes ago

New EU Commission team to get green light, finally

BRUSSELS (AFP) - EU Commission chief Jose Manuel Barroso's new team is set to get the green light from the European parliament Tuesday, ending a three-month limbo period during the bloc's worst ever economic crisis.

Published 3 hours, 36 minutes ago

Middle East

Israel supreme court chief backs inquiry into Gaza war

JERUSALEM (AFP) - Israel's supreme court president, Dorit Beinish, on Monday came out in favour of a commission of inquiry into the Gaza war as called for by the United Nations in its Goldstone report.

Published 11 hours, 14 minutes ago

» Iran anniversary 'punch' will stun West: Khamenei

» Steurs streaks to Tour of Qatar stage two win

Palestinians to hold local elections in July

RAMALLAH, West Bank (AFP) - The Western-backed Palestinian Authority said on Monday it would hold local elections in the Israeli-occupied West Bank and the Hamas-ruled Gaza Strip on July 17.

Published 13 hours, 25 minutes ago

» UN urges Egypt, Arab League to press Israel on Gaza

» Israel frees foreign activists seized in West Bank raid

International

Sri Lanka's presidential loser faces court martial

COLOMBO (AFP) - Sri Lanka's former army chief and defeated presidential candidate Sarath Fonseka is to be court-martialled, officials said Tuesday, a day after he was hauled away from his office by armed troops.

Published 1 hour, 36 minutes ago

» China quake activist jailed for subversion: lawyer

» Cuba releases all dissidents arrested last week

Ex-army chief to face Sri Lanka court martial

COLOMBO (AFP) - Sri Lanka's former army chief and defeated presidential candidate Sarath Fonseka will face a court martial for "military offences", an official said Tuesday.

Published 2 hours, 17 minutes ago

» All eyes on Tymoshenko after Ukraine vote defeat

» More snow due for storm-battered US east coast

Business

Australia miner admits China name bungle in mega-deal

SYDNEY (AFP) - Australian miner Resourcehouse Tuesday admitted giving the wrong name for a Chinese company involved in a 60 billion US dollar coal deal, but insisted the agreement was legitimate.

Published 52 minutes ago

» China Power denies coal deal with Resourcehouse

» Stiglitz urges Britain to continue stimulus

Toyota says to recall new Prius, other hybrid cars

TOKYO (AFP) - Toyota Motor is to recall its newest Prius model and two other hybrids in Japan owing to brake problems, and will notify the transport ministry later Tuesday, a company spokeswoman said.

Published 2 hours, 41 minutes ago

» Estonia's eurozone moves raise concern in Latvia

» EA in the red for 12th quarter in a row

Science/Environment

Activists ambush Japanese whalers in Antarctic seas

SYDNEY (AFP) - Anti-whaling activists said Tuesday they had exchanged water cannon fire with Japanese fishermen after ambushing them in Antarctic waters.

Published 1 hour, 41 minutes ago

» Wildlife group, stars urge Indians to save the tiger

» Global warming an Olympic worry, says Rogge

Climate change impact of soil underestimated: study

HELSINKI (AFP) - Finnish researchers called for a revision of climate change estimates Monday after their findings showed emissions from soil would contribute more to climate warming than previously thought.

Published 10 hours ago

» US government plans new climate service

» New EU organic logo set for Europe's supermarkets

Sports

Snow, Schwarzenegger keep Games focussed

VANCOUVER (AFP) - IOC chief Jacques Rogge was swept up in Vancouver's Olympic weather worries as Hollywood star Arnold Schwarzenegger prepared to run the gauntlet of Games protesters.

Published 49 minutes ago

» French rugby coach looking for polished French finish

» Olympics chief Rogge defends return of disgraced Lee

Snow still being ferried to Cypress

VANCOUVER (AFP) - Lorry loads of snow will continue to be dumped at Vancouver's troubled Winter Olympic venue of Cypress Mountain until Tuesday, organisers said on Monday.

Published 8 hours, 20 minutes ago

» Swedish ace Soderling too good for Serra

» Terry thanks Chelsea's fans for backing

Entertainment

Horror movie terrifies Italian kids, angers politicians

ROME (AFP) - Low-budget US horror movie "Paranormal Activity", a box office hit in Italy, kicked up a storm among politicians and associations on Monday because it is terrifying teenagers and children across the country.

Published 11 hours, 25 minutes ago

» Sam Worthington to star in 'Texas Killing Fields'

» Taylor Lautner in 'Stretch Armstrong' movie: studio

The black magic of Massive Attack's new album

PARIS (AFP) - Of all the DJ's who emerged from Britain's club scene, Massive Attack were the masters of infectious rhythms, but their new album out Monday has a more epic quality, though just as addictive.

Published 19 hours, 35 minutes ago

» Berlin film fest looks back at 60 years of scandal

» 'Dear John' dethrones box office king 'Avatar'

Health/Medicine

Mood drug inhibits breast cancer medication: study

PARIS (AFP) - A common antidepressant weakens or cancels the beneficial effects of a standard treatment for breast cancer, according to a study released Tuesday.

Published 6 hours, 3 minutes ago

» Republicans skeptical on Obama health summit

» Sugary soft drinks linked to pancreatic cancer: study

Errant gene may make some people age faster: study

PARIS (AFP) - Certain people carry a genetic variant that could shave three or four years off their life, according to a new study.

Published 12 hours, 58 minutes ago

» Study confirms link between maternal age and autism

» Freeze on HIV spending sparks concern in Africa

High Tech

'Bioshock' sequel returns to morally-battered Rapture

SAN FRANCISCO (AFP) - Thousands of US videogame shops will be open the instant Tuesday arrives for expected hordes of "Bioshock" fans eager to return to the grim, morally-tattered undersea world of Rapture.

Published 8 hours, 43 minutes ago

» Startup lets webcams detect people

» Google appeals French book scan decision: lawyer

China 'jails porn website operator for 13 years'

BEIJING (AFP) - China has sentenced a man who operated a porn website to 13 years in jail and fined him 100,000 yuan (15,000 dollars), state media said, amid an ongoing campaign to crack down on online sexual content.

Published 12 hours, 50 minutes ago

» In rare TV advertising foray, Google runs Super Bowl ad

» Barnes & Noble's 'Nook' coming to stores this week