Wikinews:Briefs/October 29, 2007

ElBaradei says no 'concrete evidence' of Iranian nuclear weapons program
Mohamed ElBaradei, the head of the International Atomic Energy Agency, said on Sunday that he had seen no "concrete evidence" that Iran is developing nuclear weapons. Flag of the International Atomic Energy Agency Flag of the International Atomic Energy Agency

ElBaradei discussed Iran's nuclear program in an interview with CNN's Wolf Blitzer on Sunday.

Tensions between the United States and Iran have been on the rise recently, with U.S. President George W. Bush warning of the potential for "World War III" should Iran develop a nuclear weapon. On Thursday, the United States imposed new sanctions on Iran in an effort to pressure it to stop enriching uranium.

ElBaradei recommended entering negotiations with Iran as soon as possible to resolve the conflict.

US turns security for Karbala over to Iraqi forces
United States forces in Iraq have today turned over control of Karbala Governorate over to Iraqi Security Forces (ISF). It is the eighth of eighteen provinces to be returned to local control since the US-led invasion in 2003.

Iraqi Prime Minister Nouri Maliki reached out to those who have left the Iraqi insurgency and turned against Al-Qaeda in Iraq, welcoming them back to rebuild Iraq.

In a joint press release, General David Petraeus and Ambassador Ryan Crocker stated Iraqi Security Forces have been successfully operating independently for the past three months.

$1m offer for NBC to include U.S. presidential candidate Gravel in TV debate
Currency hedge fund operator Gregory Chase was alerted by internet sources that Former Senator Mike Gravel, a Democratic presidential candidate in the race for presidency, will be excluded from the latest upcoming debate (that will be held this Tuesday at Drexel University and broadcast on MSNBC), Chase immediately took action by contacting NBC executives, who are charge of the debate.

The letter was sent and it includes an explanation as to why NBC should not censor Gravel, and also holds an offer of US$1,000,000 to include Gravel, NBC had stipulated as the fundraising amount needed for candidates participating in the debate.

As of October 26, 2007, Chase has not received a response from NBC regarding the offer.

Prime Minister Ghedi of Somalia resigns
The Prime Minister of Somalia, Ali Mohammed Ghedi, has submitted his resignation to President Abdullahi Yusuf Ahmed and Speaker of the Transitional Federal Parliament, Adan Mohamed Nuur Madobe.

A feud between Ghedi and the President has long been blamed for the lack of progress and inability of the government to deal effectively with the armed conflict with the Islamic Courts Union. The rift has often has been cited as frustrating for Western diplomats who support the government.

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