A round-up of today's other stories in brief
China and Iran back Russian uranium plan
BEIJING - China and Iran have both expressed support for a Russian proposal to resolve Tehran's nuclear standoff and say they oppose the threat of sanctions from the UN Security Council.
Top Iranian nuclear negotiator Ali Larijani, on a one-day trip to Beijing, said the Russian proposal - that uranium be enriched on Russian soil - needed further discussion.
He later said that Iran was willing to show flexibility, but rejected the "language of force", an apparent reference to the threat of sanctions. - (Reuters)
EU to seek detail on CIA allegations
BRUSSELS - EU lawmakers say that they will press US and European ministers to appear before an inquiry into alleged secret CIA prisons in Europe, but they acknowledge they have no authority to compel them.
As a special European Parliament committee held its first session, members said they would try to use political pressure to uncover the truth about allegations that the US intelligence service carried out abductions and "rendition" flights and ran secret detention centres in Europe.
- (Reuters)
Norway regrets prophet cartoon
OSLO - Norway has advised its Middle East embassies to voice regret that an Oslo newspaper ran cartoons depicting the prophet Mohammad, including one in which he seems to be carrying a bomb in a turban, according to a draft letter.
The small Christian newspaper Magazinet ran on January 10th a reprint of 12 portraits of Mohammad from Denmark's largest newspaper Jyllands-Posten.
- (Reuters)
Ex-president of Bolivia wanted
LA PAZ - Bolivian president Evo Morales has named Sacha Llorenti (33), a left- wing human rights activist, as US ambassador and says his top priority would be pressing for the extradition of a former president of the country, Gonzalo Sanchez de Lozada. Sanchez de Lozada fled Bolivia in 2003 following his resignation amid protests that left 67 dead.
He lives in the US and faces genocide charges in Bolivia. - (Reuters)