Around the world: Engineers load fuel at Iran's first nuclear power station

IRANIAN and Russian engineers began loading fuel into Iran's first nuclear power plant today.

The news is a major milestone as Tehran forges ahead with its atomic programme despite United Nations sanctions.

The week-long operation to load fuel into the reactor at the Bushehr power plant in southern Iran ends years of foot-dragging by Russia, which signed a 640 million contract in 1995 to build the plant but delayed its completion several times.

Russia is one of six world powers leading efforts to ensure Iran does not develop a nuclear weapon and Moscow says the Bushehr project is essential for persuading Iran to give its co-operation.

But the US disagrees, saying Iran should not be rewarded while it defies UN demands.

Iran insists its programme is only for energy production.

"The start-up operations will be a big success for Iran," conservative MP Javad Karimi said in Tehran.

"It also shows Iran's resolve and capability in pursuing its nuclear activities."

Russia has pledged to safeguard the site and prevent spent nuclear fuel from being shifted to a possible weapons programme.

A two-month-old Siberian tiger cub goes on display for the first time at the Henry Doorly Zoo in Omaha. The zoo is asking visitors to help name the cub.

Haiti blocks hip-hop star's run

HAITI'S electoral commission said today hip hop artist Wyclef Jean cannot run for president.

Former Fugees frontman Jean, 40, faced a challenge to his candidacy in the November 28 elections because he had has not lived in Haiti for the past five years as required.

Australians go to polls

AUSTRALIANS were choosing between two relatively unknown personalities as polls opened in a tight election race today, pitting the country's first female prime minister, Julia Gillard against her conservative challenger, Tony Abbott, just two months after she took power.

Obama anger over Megrahi

THE Obama administration condemned the decision to release the Lockerbie bomber and called for him to be sent back to a Scottish jail.

The US president's office said it had advised Libyan officials of its view that Abdelbaset Ali Mohmed Al Megrahi should not be free.

Barack Obama's counter-terrorism adviser John Brennan criticised the "unfortunate and inappropriate and wrong decision" yesterday.

Pakistan says thanks for aid

PAKISTAN thanked the world for opening its wallets and said more than 20 million flood victims now knew that nations were standing with them.

Pakistan's UN ambassador Abdullah Haroon said the outpouring from around 70 countries was "indeed heartening".

Six arrested over illegal turtle eggs

Mexico: Six men have been detained on Mexico's southern Pacific coast with 3756 illegally harvested eggs from protected sea turtles.

Guerrero state police said the men were caught with the Olive Ridley eggs in a coastal town east of Acapulco.Colombia: Colombia's top diplomat sought to boost ties and trade with Venezuela, meeting President Hugo Chavez less than two weeks after the countries agreed to restore relations.