Iranian nuclear plans prompt call for sanctions
VIENNA, Austria – Iran plans to process tons of raw uranium and restart its centrifuges – two activities that could be used to make nuclear warheads, the U.N. atomic watchdog agency said Wednesday. Experts said the amount was enough for four or five warheads.
The United States, which accuses the Tehran regime of running a weapons program in violation of the Nuclear Nonproliferation Treaty, said the revelations provided further evidence that Iran’s activities pose “a threat to international peace and security.”
Secretary of State Colin Powell said the United States wants U.N. sanctions imposed on Iran after the Bush administration concluded the country is on the verge of enriching enough uranium for four nuclear weapons.
Scotland: 737’s emergency landing
An Air Malta airplane carrying 143 passengers and crew made an emergency landing at Glasgow Airport on Wednesday night after a tire blew, an official said. The landing occurred after a tire burst on the Boeing 737 while taking off from the airport. The plane circled in the sky for nearly three hours to burn fuel before landing, police said.
Spain: A no-smoking parliament
Former prime minister Felipe Gonzalez was a Marlboro man. His successor Jose Maria Aznar puffed on fine Cuban cigars, and opposition leader Mariano Rajoy also relished a good stogie. But the days of Spanish-style political horsetrading – done in a tobacco-fueled haze – ended Wednesday at Parliament as tough new anti-smoking regulations took force. Lawmakers are now barred from firing up in their offices or anywhere else, except in the coffee shop and one hallway earmarked as a smokers’ den.
Thousands of shoppers drawn by a discount offer rushed into an IKEA branch Wednesday, causing a stampede that killed three and injured 17, officials said. After furniture giant IKEA’s branch in the port city of Jiddah announced it was offering credit vouchers to the first 250 clients Wednesday, some shoppers camped outside Tuesday night. Once the doors opened, the crowd surged forward, causing the stampede. An IKEA official said more than 8,000 people had gathered outside the store before the opening.
Japan: Volcano spews smoke, ash
Mount Asama, one of Japan’s largest and most active volcanoes, erupted Wednesday night and sent smoke and ash more than a mile into the air. Television footage showed a red glow from the eruption lighting up the night sky. Volcanic rock and ash spread about a mile from the crater, Kyoto reported. Cars covered in ash could be seen driving through the streets of nearby towns, which looked as though they had been dusted in snow. The 8,474-foot-high mountain is about 90 miles west of Tokyo.
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