Aerial view of what is believed to be a uranium enrichment facility near Qom in 2009. Photograph: Digital Globe/Reuters
EU Ministers Plan Iran Oil Embargo, IAEA Team To Visit -- Reuters
(Reuters) - Europe and Japan moved ahead Tuesday in planning for punitive cuts in oil imports from Iran, where a senior official dismissed Western anger at news Tehran is enriching uranium deep underground as cover for ulterior motives.
A day after Iran confirmed the start of enrichment at a mountain bunker near the holy city of Qom - and sentenced an American to death for spying - the European Union brought forward a ministerial meeting that is likely to match new U.S. measures to hamper Iran's oil exports.
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MIDDLE EAST
Court to try 1980 Turkey coup plotters.
Russia voices regret, concern about launch of Iran’s underground uranium enrichment facility.
Family of condemned American in Iran hires prominent lawyer.
Israeli group simulates attack on Iran.
Israeli watchdog: West Bank settlement building jumped 20 percent in 2011.
UN says 400 killed in Syria over past 10 days.
Syria's Bashar al-Assad blames 'foreign conspiracy'. Syrian president Assad blames 'foreign conspiracies' for crisis.
Syria bound for 'civil war,' says Turkey's PM.
UN nuclear inspectors to visit Iran 'soon,' IAEA official says.
Israeli military readying for Syrian refugees.
ASIA
Powerful quake hits off western Indonesia.
North Korea diplomacy picks up in China. China pledges to keep peace on Korean peninsula.
Dozens killed in bombing in Northwest Pakistan. Official: Marketplace blast kills at least 35 in Pakistan. Bomb kills 30 as Pakistan infighting rages.
10 die as Taliban storm Afghan government building.
North Korea to issue special pardons for prisoners. N. Korea to pardon convicts; generals back Kim.
More monks die by fire in protest of Beijing.
Aung San Suu Kyi confirms run for Burmese Parliament.
AFRICA
Egypt businessman Naguib Sawiris faces blasphemy trial.
'No Libyan response' on Gaddafi son as deadline nears.
South Sudan rampage toll may be in thousands amid threats of genocide.
Guinea Bissau President dies in France.
3 killed as Nigerians strike against end of fuel subsidy. Nigerian police shoot protester dead amid fuel demonstrations.
After calls for Mubarak's execution, lawyers return to court.
EUROPE
HS2: High-speed British rail network gets go-ahead.
Clock ticking as Greece races to avoid default.
Merkel, Sarkozy press for quick Greek solution. Germany and France warn Greece on bailout money.
Renewed sparring over Scottish independence movement.
France to improve nuclear power plants' defenses following break-ins.
AMERICAS
Nicaragua set to swear in Daniel Ortega as president.
Iran, Venezuela call U.S. a global danger.
Iran, Chavez joke about love & nukes.
Haiti pres says much to do, concedes mistakes.
Police find 15 bodies in western Mexico. Mexico bodies may be drug gang victims, police say.
TERRORISM/THE LONG WAR
Guantanamo detainees protest on anniversary.
Omani jihadist killed during fighting along Afghan-Pakistani border.
Obama’s broken promise on military detentions raises eyebrows.
Ex-US soldier charged with aiding Al Qaeda group.
ECONOMY/FINANCE/BUSINESS
US carmakers in record China sales, despite market fall.
Venezuela doesn't intend to pay more to Exxon.
Apple CEO Tim Cook could top pay list in 2011.
World's biggest super-jumbos must be GROUNDED, say engineers after cracks are found in the wings of three Airbus A380s.
Investors pay to lend Germany money.
Google admits profiting from illegal Olympic ticket ads.