U.S. Senate lawmakers have released a plan for a new round of sanctions targeting Iran’s Energy sector. The bill aimed at choking funds, used by Tehran to allegedly develop nuclear weapons, will be mulled over on Thursday. But while Washington shows no sign of easing up on Tehran, Iran’s Foreign Minister has welcomed the extension of the IAEA mission in the country. A team of UN nuclear inspectors may now prolong their stay in Iran beyond the initially planned three days. The minister was optimistic about the possible renewal of Nuclear negotiations saying the IAEA visit is a step towards easing the tensions. However, American Radio host, Ralph Schoenman is skeptical about the talks as he thinks the UN body is under too much western influence.
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Iran launches a new uranium enrichment facility after threatening to shut down a vital oil supply route in the Gulf, sparking warnings of military action from the US.
Japan is voicing fears of a possible military escalation in the Korean peninsula, following the death of the North’s leader, Kim Jong-Il. The warning follows a state of emergency and military alert declared by South Korea. China, in turn, has expressed its condolences – but is also reported to have sent troops to its border with the reclusive state. It’s all being driven by fears of a possible succession conflict, as the late leader’s youngest son, Kim Jong-un, prepares to assume power. The country’s declared a period of mourning, with state TV showing outpourings of emotion from across the country. With Korea preparing to take its first steps under new leadership, the world is waiting to witness the country’s next move. International consultant and author Adrian Salbuchi says it’s still unclear whether North Korean army be subordinate to the new government. 
On Thursday, US President Barack Obama said he’s “considering all options on Iran”. RT’s Reema Abu Hamdieh talks to former U.S. State Department spokesman Philip J. Crowley on US military intervention in Iraq and Afghanistan, Iran’s 
NATO admits it’s probably to blame for a deadly helicopter raid on the Pakistan-Afghanistan border, that killed up to 28 Pakistani soldiers and injured over a dozen others. Islamabad responded by cutting off the flow of vital NATO supplies to Afghanistan. The incident may deal a serious blow to their already-strained relations over lethal incursions in Pakistani territory. John Rees, a political analyst from the British-based ‘Stop the War Coalition’, told RT that the U.S. and its allies are creating an explosive situation in the volatile region.
With rising demand for energy, especially electricity, the world is in need of new resources. Fossil fuels produce harmful carbon emissions and green technology may never be able to provide a reliable source of 
Twenty years since Kazakhstan abandoned its 
A 5.8 earthquake hit the US east coast and was felt as far as Ontario, Canada and Cleveland, Ohio. The last earthquake that was this severe was back in 1897 which was a 5.9. Lauren Lyster gives us a firsthand account of what happened earlier today in DC.
In the late 1940s and early 1950s when the uranium boom was in full swing in the U.S., numerous mines mushroomed in parts of Arizona. But when demand dried up the facilities were abandoned, leaving an environmental hazard in their wake. And as RT’s Marina Portnaya reports, radiation poisoning now threatens the area’s few remaining indigenous people.
Despite concerns over Japan’s government hushing up the dangers, the second highest-ranking nuclear official in the country thinks the issue is simply too complicated for the general public to come to terms with. RT takes a closer look at the