DEUTSCHE WELLE/DW-WORLD.DE Newsletter English Service News 28. 04. 2006 16:00 Uhr UTC ---------------------------------------------------------------------- Today's highlight on DW-WORLD:
IAEA: Iran Has Failed to Comply With UN Demands Iran has failed to comply with a UN deadline to halt uranium enrichment, UN nuclear chief Mohamed ElBaradei said in a report Friday that opens the door to possible international sanctions. To read this article on the DW-WORLD website, just click on the internet address below: http://newsletter.dw-world.de/re?l=1hlbyoIfcha79I0&req=l%3D1hlbynIfcha79I0 ---------------------------------------------------------------------- On April 26, 1986, the meltdown of a nuclear reactor at Chernobyl power plant in the Soviet Union shocked the world and reminded people of the potential dangers of nuclear energy. Twenty years later, DW-WORLD.DE looks back at the catastrophe with a special section that includes flash-animated graphics, interviews and background analysis. To find out more, please go to http://newsletter.dw-world.de/re?l=1hlbyoIfcha79I1&req=l%3D1hlbynIfcha79I1 ---------------------------------------------------------------------- Iran fails to end nuclear work: IAEA A report handed over to the United Nations Security Council by the International Atomic Energy Agency says that Iran has ignored a UN deadline to end its uranium enrichment work. The UN's nuclear watchdog says that instead of suspending all nuclear fuel enrichment, Iran has speeded up the process. Speaking in New York, the US ambassador to the UN, John Bolton, said America would urge the Security Council to act swiftly. The Security Council could now decide to impose sanctions. Iran says it will not give up its nuclear activities and has vowed to hit US interests worldwide if Washington decides on military action. Nepal's parliament gathers for first time Nepal's parliament has reconvened for the first time in four years after weeks of bloody protests forced King Gyanendra to relinqish power. Parliamentarians proposed a ceasefire with the Maoist rebels and elections to a constitutional assembly. However G.P. Koirala, the prime minister-designate, missed the first session and his swearing-in ceremony due to ill health. The House began with two minutes silence in memory of the victims of the violent pro-democracy protests. At least 12 people died and thousands were wounded in clashes with security forces. Earlier thousands of Nepalis gathered outside parliament calling for a new constitution. Sri Lanka, rebels to meet: Norway A Norwegian peace envoy has reportedly said that the Sri Lankan government and the Tamil Tiger rebels have agreed to meet in Geneva for peace talks. However no date has yet been set. Speaking in Oslo, Jon Hanssen-Bauer said the talks would take place after a meeting of the rebels' leadership. The two sides had been scheduled to meet in Geneva this week to try and revive a 2002 truce, however the Tamil Tiger rebels pulled out citing security concerns. Violence between the two has increased in recent weeks leaving dozens dead. Two killed in East Timor clashes In the south-east Asian nation of East Timor, two civilians have been killed in clashes between police and former soldiers in the capital Dili. It is still unclear how many people were hurt in the incident. Police used tear gas to disperse the former soldiers who smashed windows at the Prime Minister's office and set several cars alight. Nearly 600 troops recently deserted the East Timorese army because of low pay and poor conditions. East Timor, which gained independence from Indonesia in 2002, is the poorest country in Asia. EU to end talks with Serbia over Mladic The European Union has threatened to end talks on an association deal with Serbia-Montenegro if the fugitive war crimes suspect Ratko Mladic is not caught in the next few days. EU Enlargement Commissioner Olli Rehn told reporters in Brussels that work on the deal, which focuses on trade and aid, would be suspended if Mladic was not arrested and handed over to the UN war crimes tribunal in The Hague. Mladic has been indicted by the court for his role in the 1995 genocide of around 8,000 Muslims in Srebenica. Prodi faces first setback in parliament Italy's Prime Minister-elect Romano Prodi has suffered his first setback in parliament which convened for the first time since the closest elections in Italy's history were held three weeks ago. In a vote to determine the speaker of the Senate, Prodi's candidate failed to secure an absolute majority which means the upper house will have to hold a second and even a third vote to see who fills the prestigious position. Prodi's centre-left coalition has just a two-seat majority in the Senate and the vote for speaker is seen as a key test for Prodi's ability to govern. Court issues warrant for Hyundai chief's arrest A South Korean court has issued an arrest warrant to detain Hyundai Motor Group head Chung Mong-Koo. On Friday, the court said it issued the warrant for Chung because the charges against him are 'heavy' and there are concerns that he may destroy evidence. Chung is accused of embezzlement and breach of trust on suspicion of using company funds to create a slush fund and of causing damage to the company, South Korea's largest automaker. UN cuts Sudan food aid for lack of funds The United Nations World Food Programme has said it's being forced to cut food rations for Sudan because its funds are drying up. A WFP spokeswoman said on Friday that aid fatigue appeared to be setting in among donor countries who were growing tired of the conflict in Darfur. The spokeswoman said the daily food ration for around 6 million people was being halved from the minimum requirement of 2,100 calories to just over 1,000. The WFP said it had received only 238 million dollars out of a requested 746 million for this year from donor countries. Work begins on Russian pipeline to Asia Construction has begun on a major Russian pipeline project that will ship oil from Siberia to east Asia. The state-owned company running the project, Transneft, says it initially expects to have around 30 million tons of oil flowing to the Chinese border by 2008. The pipeline is a major part of Russia's ambitious plans to supply energy to key Asian markets. Russian president Vladimir Putin personally intervened to guarantee the project's launch after he ordered the pipeline to be re-routed away from Lake Baikal, the world's largest freshwater lake. Germany forecasts increased growth The German government has revised its economic growth forecast upwards slightly from 1.4 to 1.6 percent of gross domestic product. Presenting the spring forecast in Berlin, Economics Minister Michael Glos said the improved economic outlook was due to booming exports, increased consumer optimism, and a rise in investments. The estimate is lower than the figure of 1.8 percent published by Germany's six leading economic institutes on Thursday. ---------------------------------------------------------------------- For more information please turn to our internet website at http://newsletter.dw-world.de/re?l=1hlbyoIfcha79I2&req=l%3D1hlbynIfcha79I2 Here you'll find out what's happening in Germany, Europe and the rest of the world. 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