NEWS FROM AROUND THE WORLD

US/ OBAMA PRESENTS 2012 BUDGET: President Barack Obama has unveiled his 2012 budget, describing the proposal as a "down payment" on future cuts to the US budget deficit. The budget aims to cut $1.1tn from the US deficit over a decade. He said the US must live within its means and called for some reductions, but said "we can't sacrifice our future" with drastic cuts. Republicans, who control the House of Representatives, do not think the cuts go far enough in tackling the deficit. House Speaker John Boehner said the proposed budget would "continue to destroy jobs by spending too much, borrowing too much and taxing too much". Obama's proposed budget is seen as an opening bid in a long process of negotiation with House and Senate leaders of both parties, and analysts say Republicans will press for deeper cuts.

US/ PEPSI CAN HAS ITS CRITICS: Diet Pepsi has introduced a new "skinny" can for New York Fashion Week, but some critics are giving it a big, fat "no". The can is a "taller, sassier" version of the traditional can that the company said was made in "celebration of beautiful, confident women". Some say Pepsi's approach only reinforces dangerous stereotypes about women and body image. The new can will be available to consumers nationwide next month.

WORLD/ PROTESTS BREAK OUT IN IRAN: Thousands of opposition supporters have clashed with security forces in the centre of the Iranian capital, Tehran. Police used tear gas and detained dozens of protesters, who called the rally in solidarity with the recent popular uprisings in Egypt and Tunisia. European media also received reports of similar protests being held in the cities of Isfahan, Mashhad and Shiraz. Earlier in the day, police had place several opposition leaders under house arrest in hopes of stopping the march, which the authorities had prohibited.

WORLD/ NEW PROTESTS IN EGYPT: Fresh protests and strikes have flared in Egypt as demonstrators demand better pay and conditions from the country's new military rulers. Bank, transport and tourism workers all demonstrated in Cairo after 18 days of protests succeeded in removing President Hosni Mubarak. In a TV statement, the military urged all Egyptians to go back to work. Earlier, Cairo's Tahrir Square was cleared of protesters but hundreds soon returned, joined by disgruntled police. Hundreds of uniformed and plain-clothes police marched to Tahrir Square, shouting: "We and the people are one" and vowing to "honour the martyrs of the revolution".

WORLD/ HEAVY SNOW BRINGS CHAOS TO SOUTH KOREA: The heaviest snowfall in more than a century on South Korea's east coast is causing widespread chaos. Hundreds of houses have collapsed under the weight of the snow. One newspaper described it as a snow bomb. The South Korean government has deployed 12,000 soldiers to rescue stranded residents. The worst weather has been in Gangwon province, where 1 city received 2.6 feet of snow, the heaviest on record. Weather experts say there will be more snowfall in the area in the coming days.

WORLD/ ROYAL WEDDING PARTY SET: Buckhingham Palace has announced that Prince William has chosen his brother Harry to be his best man at his wedding, while Kate Middleton's sister Philippa will be her maid of honor. The couple will marry at Westminster Abbey on Friday, April 29. It is has also been announced that William, 28, and Kate, 29, will return to St Andrews University, where they first met, for an official engagement. They will launch the university's 600th anniversary appeal on February 25. Full details on the wedding party can be found on the Buckhingham Palace website.