Uzbekistan protesters say 450 dead
ANDIJAN, Uzbekistan, May 15 (UPI) -- Uzbek security forces have reportedly sealed off the center of Andijan city where as many as 450 people may have been killed during anti-government protests.
The deaths occurred Friday and Saturday when as many as 10,000 people were said to have demonstrated, although independent journalists told CNN they could not confirm the numbers.
The streets of the city were reportedly nearly empty Sunday with security forces apparently continuing their hunt for leaders of the anti-government demonstrations, the BBC reported.
A group of citizens in Andijan, angry about the arrest of several prominent business owners on charges of religious extremism, stormed the prison Thursday, CNN said. The protest grew with eventually thousands of people calling for the resignation of Uzbekistan President Islam Karimov.
More than 1,000 people in Iran election
TEHRAN, May 15 (UPI) -- More than 1,000 people have registered to run in Iran's election next month, including 89 women.
With registration closed Saturday, the potential candidates will be vetted by the Guardian Council, the BBC reported Sunday.
Among those who want to run in the June 17 election is former President Akbar Hashemi Rafsanjani, who was president twice from 1989 to 1997; the mayor of Tehran, Mahmood Ahmadinejad; and the former national police chief, Mohammed Baqer Qalibaf.
Several political dissidents also want to run, as well as non-political candidates, such as former national goalkeeper Nasser Hejazi.
Spain: Four bombings injure three
MADRID, May 15 (UPI) -- Four bombs exploded in Spain's Basque region Sunday injuring three people.
The bombs exploded in an industrial area, including one bomb at a chemical plant. That explosion reportedly released a potentially dangerous noxious cloud, El Mundo newspaper reported.
Spanish authorities have blamed the Basque group ETA for the explosions. The Spanish government considers ETA to be a terror organization.
The ETA has been blamed for more than 800 deaths since its fight for independence began in the 1960's.
Last month Spanish authorities discovered 110 pounds of a dangerous explosive during a raid on a building occupied by the ETA.
