WORLD BRIEFS

IRAN: Nuclear reactor set to start

Iranian and Russian nuclear technicians made final preparations to start up Iran's first reactor Saturday after years of delays, an operation that will mark a milestone in what Tehran considers its right to produce nuclear energy. Nationwide celebrations are planned for the fuel loading at the Bushehr facility in southern Iran, while Russia pledges to safeguard the plant and prevent spent nuclear fuel from being shifted to a possible weapons program. The West has not sought to block the reactor startup as part of its confrontations over Iran's nuclear agenda.

MEXICO: Police held in mayor's slay

Six city police officers were arrested Friday in the killing of a mayor in northern Mexico, as the country's escalating drug violence targets more public officials. The suspects included the officer who guarded the house where Santiago Mayor Edelmiro Cavazos was seized Sunday. The officers confessed to being involved in the killing, said the Nuevo León state attorney general, even though some declared their innocence when presented to the press.

Mexico: Cops say 6 held over turtle eggs

Police say six suspects were detained Friday on the southern Pacific coast with 3,756 illegally harvested eggs from protected sea turtles. Guerrero state police say the six men were caught with the Olive Ridley turtle eggs in a town east of Acapulco. Olive Ridley turtles are protected under Mexican law, and harvesting their eggs is punishable by prison terms of one to nine years.

HAITI: Wyclef Jean awaits ruling on presidency eligibility

An anxious public waited Friday to hear whether hip-hop artist Wyclef Jean would be allowed to run for president of Haiti. Dozens of police were on guard against possible violence outside the electoral commission, which was expected to release its list of eligible candidates. The decision has been delayed once this week because of uncertainty over candidate qualifications; Jean's supporters suspect members of Haiti's political elite have been trying behind the scenes to end his campaign.