Iran: Quake rattles region near nuke reactor

Published May 06, 2013

Associated Press

TEHRAN, Iran –  Iran says a moderate earthquake rattled a region near the country's main nuclear reactor, but there were no reports of damage or deaths in the surrounding area.

The official Islamic Republic News Agency says Monday's quake had a preliminary magnitude of 5.1 and was centered near Kaki, about 100 kilometers (60 miles) southeast of Bushehr on the Persian Gulf coast.

A more powerful 6.1 temblor struck the same area last month, killing at least 37 people and raising calls for greater international safety inspectors at the nuclear reactor in Bushehr.

Iran said there was no damage to the reactor in last month's quake. The IRNA report Monday did not specifically address the reactor, but said there were no fatalities or damage in the latest quake.

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French forces step up efforts in Mali's Gao region

Published April 08, 2013

Associated Press

BAMAKO, Mali –  French military forces are stepping up their military operations against jihadists in the northern Malian region of Gao.

French Col. Emmanuel Dosseur said Monday that his forces don't want to give the impression that they're going to "abandon our Malian friends."

France has been talking about reducing its presence in its former colony in the coming months, but also has said it aims to keep about 1,000 soldiers there.

French forces are proceeding cautiously because it's believed a French hostage being held by the militants is in the area.

Al-Qaida-linked militants inspired by a radical interpretation of Islam ruled Gao and northern Mali for nearly 10 months before the French-led military operation forced them into the surrounding desert.

But the militants have launched some attacks since being ousted from power.

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Gonzaga earns school's first No. 1 seed, headlines West Region

The No. 1-ranked Gonzaga Bulldogs might not have received the overall No. 1 seed in the NCAA Tournament, but the team did position itself well, earning the top-spot in the West Region on Sunday.

The West Coast Conference champion Bulldogs (31-2) have had plenty of post season success in the past, but it's the first time in program history that the Zags have been awarded a No. 1 seed.

"Well it's an honor," Gonzaga coach Mark Few said of receiving a No. 1 seed. "It was an overwhelming feeling of just being honored."

Although Gonzaga has made a name as the "under-dog" in season's past, the Bulldogs reached new heights this year with 31 wins -- the most in school history -- and enter the tournament winners of 14 straight games.

Plus, the Zags have plenty of experience on their roster, as they've had an impressive run of 15 consecutive appearances in the NCAA Tournament.

"It's great to be in that mix of teams," Few added after listing off the other top seeds in the tournament. "We have been remarkably consistent this entire year. I think when this team plays at its highest level, we can definitely beat any team in this country."

Up first for Gonzaga is 16th-seeded SWAC champion, Southern University. The contest takes place in Salt Lake City, UT on Thursday.

Ohio State picked up the No. 2 seed in the West after the Buckeyes defeated Wisconsin to win the Big Ten Conference title -- their third in the last four years. Coach Thad Matta's squad takes on the Iona Gaels, who head back to the NCAA Tournament for the second straight year after winning the MAAC Championship.

The winner of that contest in Dayton, OH, faces the victor of Friday's other contest between 7 seed Notre Dame against 10th-seeded Iowa State.

After New Mexico earned the Mountain West's automatic bid by defeating UNLV on Saturday, stud guard Tony Snell declared, "I think we deserve a No. 2 seed or higher (in the NCAA Tournament) 'cause we definitely proved ourselves all year. That's what I think."

While some may have dismissed Snell's statement, it turns out he wasn't far off, as the Lobos landed the No. 3 seed in the West Region. They will play on Thursday and face Ivy League champion Harvard, which earned back-to-back NCAA berths for the first time in program history.

The Arizona Wildcats earned the West's sixth seed and play on Thursday in Salt Lake City versus a dangerous Belmont squad which won the Ohio Valley Conference over Murray State in overtime. The Bruins, who advance to the NCAA Tournament for the third straight season -- after consecutive appearances from the Atlantic Sun Conference -- are one of three Division I programs to earn a bid in six of the last eight years.

Eighth-seeded Pittsburgh out the Big East Conference, faces ninth seed Wichita State on Thursday, also in Salt Lake City.

The other Friday games taking place in Kansas City, pit No. 4 Kansas State against the winner of Boise State/La Salle and fifth-seeded Wisconsin against 12th-seeded SEC champion Ole Miss.

The West's Sweet 16 and Elite Eight games will be played at the Staples Center in Los Angeles on March 28 and 30.

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