Austria

Iran nuclear inspectors find undeclared enrichment tools

U.N. inspectors probing Iran’s nuclear program have found equipment that can enrich uranium for weapons use and is far more advanced than anything Tehran has previously acknowledged, diplomats said Thursday.

The find of the advanced centrifuge system is the second piece of evidence uncovered this month that casts new doubt on Iran’s commitment to prove it does not want atomic weapons.

White House spokesman Scott McClellan said the reported discovery raised “serious concerns.”

Iran insisted its intentions are peaceful and that its centrifuges are to process uranium for nuclear power, not warheads.

VATICAN CITY

Canonization candidates include anti-abortion symbol

Pope John Paul II Thursday approved for sainthood an Italian woman who became a symbol for abortion opponents after giving birth despite warnings that continuing her pregnancy put her life at risk.

In a ceremony at the Vatican, John Paul declared his approval for sainthood for Gianna Beretta Molla and five other candidates for the Catholic Church’s highest honor.

The canonization ceremony for the six was set for May 16, the Vatican said.

Beretta Molla, who was a Milan pediatrician, is applauded as a courageous symbol by many in the Church who back the Vatican’s ban on abortion.

The woman was 39 when she died in 1962, a few days after giving birth to her fourth child. Doctors had reportedly told her it was dangerous to proceed with the pregnancy because she had a tumor in her uterus.

Florida

NASA will have space shuttle on standby for rescues

NASA said Thursday that the shuttle would remain grounded until next year, and once launches did resume, a second spaceship would be on standby to rescue the astronauts if their craft were damaged in flight.

Because of the Columbia disaster one year ago, NASA decided last month that all shuttles from now on would be devoted to completing the international space station. That way, the astronauts can inspect and repair their ships at the orbiting outpost and await rescue there if the damage is too grave.

The rescue shuttle will not necessarily be on the launch pad, but will be ready to fly to the space station within 45 to 90 days, shuttle program manager Bill Parsons said.

LONDON

Five Britons at Guantanamo to be returned home

Foreign Secretary Jack Straw said Thursday that five Britons jailed at the U.S. military prison in Guantanamo Bay, Cuba, would be returned home in several weeks. But they could be arrested again upon arrival.

Straw told reporters at a news conference that discussion were continuing on the fate of the remaining four British citizens being held.

“Once the detainees are back in the U.K., I understand that the police will consider whether to arrest them under the Terrorism Act 2000 for questioning in connection with possible terrorist activity,” he said.

Earlier Thursday, Danish Prime Minister Anders Fogh Rasmussen told his parliament that a Dane held at Guantanamo Bay would soon be released.