Iran The watchdog UN atomic agency was to consider an EU call for a halt to Iran's nuclear activities, a day after Tehran upped the stakes in the crisis over its nuclear programme, removing seals on a key plant. Pakistan Pakistan successfully test-fired its first cruise missile, thereby joining a select club of nations capable of developing the ground-hugging projectiles, the military said. NKorea South Korea's pointman on North Korea defied the United States and supported the Stalinist country's demand for the right to maintain a civilian nuclear program. Iraq Iraq wrestled for consensus on the first post-Saddam Hussein constitution ahead of the August 15 deadline, as a top US military official ruled out an early withdrawal of forces. Britain Ten foreign nationals were detained in various parts of Britain on Thursday on national security grounds, Home Secretary Charles Clarke announced. Sudan Salva Kiir was sworn in as Sudan's first vice president, facing the enormous tasks of implementing a landmark peace deal and carrying on the legacy of his charismatic predecessor John Garang. Mideast Opponents of the impending Israeli pullout from the Gaza Strip were to stage a last show of strength at a mass rally in Tel Aviv as the army finalised its preparations for the historic evacuation. Malaysia Malaysia declared a state of emergency as the air pollution index soared to extremely hazardous levels on the west coast, which is worst-hit by smoke from fires from Indonesia, an official said. China Yahoo Inc signed a deal to buy 40 percent of Alibaba.com for one billion dollars cash while handing over the running of its China operations to the Chinese online retailer.