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Comments (0)Iran will begin building its third plant for enriching uranium in 2011, the head of its atomic energy organization said.
Ali Akbar Salehi made the announcement last week, the French news agency AFP reported.
Also Monday, President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad signed a law compelling Tehran to continue enriching uranium and limiting its cooperation with the U.N.’s nuclear watchdog.
Ahmadinejad announced last year that 10 uranium-enriching plants would be constructed. Iran has one functioning plant now; a second is under construction.
Salehi did not say where the new plant would be built. In the past he reportedly has said that plants would be built in areas not vulnerable to air attacks.
The United States, the United Nations and the European Union have passed stricter sanctions against Iran for refusing to stop enriching uranium. Iran said the uranium will only be used for energy.
Libyan Charity to Build Gaza Homes
A Libyan charity announced a $50 million deal to build homes for refugees in Gaza.
The announcement last week by the Gadhafi Foundation, run by the son of Libyan leader Moammar Gadhafi, comes on the heels of the release of an Israeli national held in a Libyan prison for a deal reported to include permission to build the homes.
The charity said it signed an agreement with the United Nations Relief and Welfare Agency to rebuild 1,250 homes destroyed during the monthlong Gaza war that began in December 2008.
Israel reportedly agreed to allow necessary equipment into Gaza to allow the building. While the ban on allowing most products to enter Gaza has been lifted, some dual-use construction materials continue to be banned.
Toronto synagogues Get Funding Against Hate Crimes
Five Toronto synagogues and a Jewish day school are the latest beneficiaries of Canadian government money to guard against hate crimes.
The Jewish facilities will share some $90,000 to defray the cost of security measures such as surveillance cameras, lighting, alarm and intercom systems, gates and fences, and related training.
The cash is part of the federal government’s $3 million, three-year Communities at Risk: Security Infrastructure Pilot (SIP) Program established in 2007 to help minority groups combat hate crimes. A condition of the grant is that recipients match the amount, either dollar-for-dollar or with services in kind.
“The unfortunate reality is that Canada is not immune to those who target individuals or groups based on their race, culture, religion or identity,” Public Safety Minister Vic Toews announced Monday at Toronto’s Shaarei Shomayim Congregation, which will receive $14,948 as part of the program.
The synagogue has been the target of several hate-motivated crimes over the years, including graffiti sprayed on the building and surrounding sidewalk.
“Often hate-motivated crime can put an entire community into a state of fear and anxiety,” Toews said. “This is unacceptable, and that’s why we are here today.”
Last month, a synagogue and an adult learning center in Vancouver received $20,000 from the program.
Jewish groups were the first beneficiaries of the program in 2007, when Ottawa committed $216,000 to shore up security at nine Jewish schools, community buildings and synagogues in Ontario and Alberta.