>>> Now, the head of the U.N. Nuclear agency Mr. Mohamed
Elbaradei is going to North Korea for talks on implementing on
agreement to freeze nuclear facilities. At a news conference, to
General Ban Ki-moon Mr. Elbaradei said
north Korea told him it wanted to establish a working
relationship with the agency and it hoped to become a member
again.
>>> The United States has rejected an international call to
ban the use of cluster bombs saying that they have a place in
armed conflicts as long as countries follow proper rules of
engagement. Earlier a declaration calling for a treaty to ban
such weapons by next year.
>> A court has dropped charges against eight south Africans
charged with planning a coup. Accused of leading the aborted
attempt in 2004. Lawyers argued that South Africa had tacitly
backed the plan which the country denies.
>> Let's go to Alastair in London.
>> It is potentially embarrassing and explosive. American
troops first detained and then released the son of Iraq's most
power full Shiite politician. He was held as he returned to the
country from Iran.
>>> I'm sorry about the arrest. We don't know the
circumstances for the arrest, and we are investigating, and we
-- we do not mean any disrespect to him or to his family, but he
is being released, and we will investigate the circumstances.
>> Meanwhile, an inquiry is underway into a fierce gun battle
in Ramadi between U.S.. Military and insurgents to see weather
civilians including two children were killed. The fighting ended
with U.S. Air strikes destroying several buildings.
>> Pakistan has tested a ballistic missile with a range of
2,000 kilometres and capable of carrying a nuclear warhead. The
test was described as an important mile stone in Pakistan's
quest to maintain a strategic balance.
>> A fire has killed at least 26 people. The blaze swept
through the home in western Latvia in the early hours of the
morning. Firemen rescuesed about 60 people before the roof
collapsed.
>> Police m Estonia have broken up -- the side of a
controversial war monument. Russia says the statue is a memorial
for those who fought fascism in the second word war, but to many
it is a reminder of soviet occupation.
>> Olympic committee have completed their visit to the
Russian city. They have been there to assess the bid of the 2014
winter games.
>> Reporter: Russia has an impressive record in the winter
Olympics, but the chance to host the games is a prize which has
never been theirs. That may change. Officials from the
international Olympic committee have been here to have a look.
This might not seem like the obvious choice. It is the warmest
city in a famously cold country. The bid to host the 2014 games
stretches the attractive location, a sea side resort within easy
reach of snow-covered mountains. President Putin was on the
slopes earlier this week to show his support. That personal
pledge seems to have been a factor which impressed the visitors.
But the news conference they warned of other things which might
not count in their favour.
>> There are so many -- to be built in the future, and should
you get the games here, you have only seven years to go, and so
a time factor could be rather pressing and to coordinate all of
this work may be a challenge.
>> Reporter: They are looking to the winter Olympics to
regenerate the entire region that is styling itself the Russian
Riviera. Now the city will have to wait until the summer to find
out whether this is a winning combination. Bbc news.
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