January 04 News international

Wednesday 04 January, 2012.

TOP STORY Iranian threat shows its weak position: WH The latest threat coming from Iran on the movement of US ships in the Persian Gulf only reflects thatTehran is in a position of weakness and is increasingly becoming isolated, the White House said on Wednesday. HEADLINES Iran demands release of 7 nationals held in Syria  Iran has demanded the release of seven of its nationals who were abducted last month in restive Syria, media reported today. Libya plans vote on assembly to draft constitution Libya's interim government has proposed a draft law for electing an assembly to draft a new constitution, a first step to setting up a new government after the ouster of Muammar Gaddafi. N Korea ridicules Japan's frequent change of leadership Affronted by Japan's continued speculation about North Korea's stability after the death of Kim Jong-Il, Pyongyang on Wednesday ridiculed the frequent changes of Japanese premiers, saying the country has become "the laughing stock of the world." Musharraf to meet Saudi King before planned return to Pak Ahead of his planned return to Pakistan later this month, former President Pervez Musharraf is expected to meet Saudi King Abdullah to discuss getting "foolproof guarantees" from Pakistani civilian and military leaders that he will not be arrested after his homecoming. AFRICA & SOUTH AMERICA ASIA PACIFIC EUROPE NORTH AMERICA SOUTH ASIA WEST ASIA

OTHER TOP STORIES Requirements of Arab League protocol not been met: US  Toppled Egyptian president Hosni Mubarak's trial  Israel to shut down nuclear reactor if war breaks out: Report Scandal-hit German president faces resignation calls  Egyptians vote in final round of polls