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Iran military tests raise tension in Persian Gulf
Iran’s senior navy commander is denying media reports that the country test-fired long-range missiles during a drill in Saturday in the Persian Gulf. Mahmoud Mousavi told Iran’s English language Press TV that the missiles will be launched in the coming days. Earlier the semi-official Fars news agency had reported that the weapons had already been launched. The military activity is being closely observed by Washington. Iran says it will respond to any attack by targeting Israel and US interests in the region, as well as closing the Straits of Hormuz, thus cutting off the flow of oil in the gulf. The West is worried that Iran is close to developing nuclear weapons, which its denied. It is being reported that Tehran is soon to send a letter to the EU expressing its readiness for fresh talks on the issue. Four rounds of UN sanctions have been imposed on Iran since 2006 over Iran’s nuclear programme. More about: Iran, Military exercises, Missile, USA

North Korean state funeral gets underway
North Korea has begun a two-day funeral for its late leader Kim Jong-il who died of a heart attack on December 17, according to state media. Through thick snow, the funeral cortege processed along the capital Pyongyang’s streets. Despite the harsh weather, thousands lined the route. North Korean television is broadcasting live from the scene with added pictures of distraught mourners. Few details of the exact proceedings over the next two days are known but it is expected that the ceremony will firmly establish the line of succession with Kim’s son, Kim Jong-un, as the new leader. More about: Communism, Funerals, Kim Jong-il, North Korea

North Korea holds funeral for Kim Jong-il
North Korea has begun two days of funeral ceremonies for its late leader Kim Jong-il. State television showed thousands of soldiers and civilians lining the streets of Pyongyang as a massive procession passed by. The scenes of unrestrained mourning were matched by an emotional TV commentary. Kim Jong-il died aged 69 of a heart attack on December 17, according to state media. It has reported unusually cold and wild weather accompanying his death. Today’s snow will do nothing to quell the myth that the Dear Leader could control the elements. At his side today and during his lying-in-state, was Kim’s successor and third son, Kim Jong-un. Inexperienced and untested, he is believed to be only about 27 years old. But when North Korea emerges from its period of mourning, he is quickly expected to consolidate his place at the top. More about: Communism, Funerals, Kim Jong-il, Kim Jong-un, North Korea

Japanese utility company asks for more bailout funds
Compensation claims have forced the Tokyo Electric Power company to ask for more government bailout funds amid growing speculation Japan’s biggest utility could be nationalised. TEPCO is looking for almost seven billion euros as it struggles to meet the claims of victims of the nuclear crisis at its Fukushima power plant. The country’s Trade and Industry Minister has said he wants the company to consider temporary public control. More about: Fukushima, Japan, Nuclear Energy

Iran military tests raise tension in Persian Gulf
Iran’s senior navy commander is denying media reports that the country test-fired long-range missiles during a drill in Saturday in the Persian Gulf. Mahmoud Mousavi told Iran’s English language Press TV that the missiles will be launched in the coming days. Earlier the semi-official Fars news agency had reported that the weapons had already been launched. The military activity is being closely observed by Washington. Iran says it will respond to any attack by targeting Israel and US interests in the region, as well as closing the Straits of Hormuz, thus cutting off the flow of oil in the gulf. The West is worried that Iran is close to developing nuclear weapons, which its denied. It is being reported that Tehran is soon to send a letter to the EU expressing its readiness for fresh talks on the issue. Four rounds of UN sanctions have been imposed on Iran since 2006 over Iran’s nuclear programme. More about: Iran, Military exercises, Missile, USA

Russian opposition rallies for jailed leader
Supporters of Russia’s opposition have been gathering in Moscow in protest over the jailing of one of their leaders. Their anger follows the latest sentence handed down to Sergei Udaltsov, who was jailed for an extra 10 days on 25 December. Over the past year he has spent more than three months behind bars, sometimes going on hunger strike. More than 2,000 people signed up for the rally via Facebook, and hundreds are reported to have turned up. It is seen as a test of the government’s tolerance of dissent. Permission for the protest was refused – so the organisers called it a public meeting with an opposition MP, something which is technically allowed by law. Demonstrators chanted “freedom for political prisoners”. Lawyers describe the case against Udaltsov as politically motivated persecution. On Wednesday, in response to separate protests against parliamentary election results, Prime Minister Vladimir Putin said he was ready for dialogue with Russia’s opposition, but he has ruled out a re-run of the vote. More about: Activism, Protest, Russia, Sergei Udaltsov, Vladimir Putin

Argentine president joins list of leaders with cancer
Argentines have been reacting to the news that their president, Christiana Fernandez de Kirchner, 58, is to undergo surgery for thyroid cancer next week. One woman showed her concern saying, “We want the best thing for her obviously as our president. It doesn’t matter what side of the political spectrum I am. I want her to get well soon.” Fernandez’s cancer scare comes less than a month since she was sworn in for a second four-year term after winning a landslide re-election in October. After surgery, doctors say she has a high chance of recovery. She told reporters: “First of all, I want to say thanks for the showing of solidarity and affection from all Argentines and also from my presidential friends. You can imagine who was the first to call me last night. I finished work at ten and there was a phone call for me. So I answered it at the residency and it was Hugo Chavez. He was the first president to call.” Chavez is among several Latin American leaders currently being treated for cancer. The coincidence of so many leaders suffering from the disease has caused him to speculate. “Would it be that strange if the US had developed a technology to induce cancer? I don’t know. I’m only passing on the thought but this is very, very odd that we all have the disease,” said the Venezuelan president. Chavez and Paraguay’s Fernando Lugo both underwent chemotherapy recently while former Brazilian leader Lula da Silva is still undergoing treatment. More about: Argentina, Cancer, Hugo Chavez, Latin America

North Korean state funeral gets underway
North Korea has begun a two-day funeral for its late leader Kim Jong-il who died of a heart attack on December 17, according to state media. Through thick snow, the funeral cortege processed along the capital Pyongyang’s streets. Despite the harsh weather, thousands lined the route. North Korean television is broadcasting live from the scene with added pictures of distraught mourners. Few details of the exact proceedings over the next two days are known but it is expected that the ceremony will firmly establish the line of succession with Kim’s son, Kim Jong-un, as the new leader. More about: Communism, Funerals, Kim Jong-il, North Korea

Argentine president has thyroid cancer
Argentine President Cristina Fernandez has thyroid cancer and will undergo surgery next month. A spokesman said the disease had not spread and should respond well to treatment. Fernandez, 58, was easily re-elected to a second four-year term in October and her new government was sworn in earlier this month. More about: Argentina, Cancer, Latin America