U.N. inspectors visit once-secret Iran site
TEHRAN, Iran -- U.N. inspectors entered a once-secret uranium enrichment facility with bunker-like construction and heavy military protection that raised Western suspicions about the extent and intent of Iran's nuclear program.
The visit Sunday by the four-member International Atomic Energy Agency team, reported by state media, was the first independent look inside the planned nuclear fuel lab, a former ammunition dump burrowed into the treeless hills south of Tehran and only publicly disclosed last month.
Another test of Iran's cooperation is fast approaching, however. Iran has promised to respond this week to a U.N.-brokered deal to process its nuclear fuel abroad.
Army claims advances
ISLAMABAD -- The Pakistani army claimed advances in its 8-day-old offensive in a Taliban stronghold along the Afghan border Sunday, while the militants' chief warned of more terrorist attacks around the country unless the military halted the assault.
The army moved into South Waziristan vowing to crush a militant network it says is behind 80 percent of the suicide bombings that have rocked the country over the past three years.
The military announced its first major achievement, the capture of Kotkai, the hometown of Pakistani Taliban chief Hakimullah Mehsud and one of his top deputies, Qari Hussain.
Mujica faces runoff
MONTEVIDEO, Uruguay -- A blunt-talking former guerrilla seeking to maintain the left's hold on power in Uruguay easily got the most votes in presidential elections Sunday, but failed to win the majority needed to avoid a runoff.
Jose "Pepe" Mujica got about 48 percent of the votes compared to 30 percent for former president Luis Alberto LaCalle, a free-marketeer who wants to cut government and taxes and reduce alliances with Latin American leftists..
Tunisia re-elects leader
TUNIS, Tunisia -- Authorities announced 84 percent participation in Tunisia's presidential and legislative elections Sunday and braced for another triumphant re-election for President Zine El Abidine Ben Ali, who warned opponents they would face legal retaliation if they questioned the vote's fairness.
Ben Ali has been in power since a bloodless palace coup in 1987 that authorities dub "The Change." He was last re-elected in 2004 with more than 94 percent of votes.
Border security raised
CARACAS, Venezuela -- Venezuela officials said 10 killings near the border with Colombia might be the work of warring factions in that country's internal conflict, and said Venezuelan troops are stepping up security.
Mostly Colombians, the 10 were executed and their bodies were found in multiple spots in western Tachira state, said Defense Minister Ramon Carrizalez. Authorities believe the victims were among a group of 12 recently abducted in the area.
Russian activist killed
NAZRAN, Russia -- A prominent opposition and rights activist in Russia's southern province of Ingushetia was shot dead Sunday in at least the third killing of a human rights defender in the volatile North Caucasus region in three months.
