News Archive - 19 February 2011

The Washington Post: A comprehensive new U.S. intelligence report concludes that Iran has resumed research on key components for a nuclear weapon, but that the slow and scattered nature of the effort reflects renewed debate within the regime over whether to build a bomb, U.S. officials said.

>TRIPOLI/MANAMA (Reuters) - Libyan security forces shot dead dozens of protesters to try to crush a revolt in the second city Benghazi, and the wave of unrest sweeping the Middle East also pushed Bahrain's rulers into talks with the opposition. Anti-government demonstrators in Bahrain camped out overnight in Pearl Square...

>Director Asghar Farhadi's portrayal of a marriage in crisis explores Iran's class divisions, religious conservatism and its judicial system while at the same time maintaining the tension of a crime thriller.It had been heavily fancied to claim the top prize.The runner-up film prize, which comes with a Silver...

>The article, citing people briefed on the talks, said the talks are to assess who in the Taliban leadership, if anyone, might engage in formal peace negotiations and under what conditions."They're exploratory, at least as I understand them," Steve Coll, the article's author, said in an interview on National...

>VIENNA (Reuters) - The U.N. atomic watchdog may soon spell out in more detail its concerns about possible military aspects to Iran's disputed nuclear program, Western diplomatic sources say. The International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) is considering including an annex on the issue in its next regular report on...

> "The two were released and will go to Tehran to be handed over to Germany Embassy officials," the head of the judiciary in the city of Tabriz said on state media. Tweet this Share this Link this Digg this Email Reprints...

> "Their jail sentences have been changed to $50,000 cash payments for each ... They will be released after that," ISNA quoted a Revolutionary Court official as saying. (Tehran newsroom, +98 21 8820 8770; editing by David Stamp) Tweet this Share this Link this Digg this Email Reprints...

> * Ships not yet at southern mouth of canal * Israel sees warships' transit as a "provocation" (Adds canal authority comment, background) CAIRO, Feb 19 (Reuters) - Egypt's Suez Canal Authority has not yet received military approval to allow two Iranian navy ships to pass north into the Mediterranean,...

>Israeli Foreign Minister Avigdor Lieberman has described Iran's plan to send the ships through the canal en route to Syria as a "provocation."The official said the vessels would arrive at the southern mouth of the canal in the Red Sea's Gulf of Suez on Sunday. They would enter the...

>MANAMA (Reuters) - Bahraini troops and armored vehicles on Saturday rolled out of a Manama square that had been a base for anti-government protesters, meeting one opposition condition for a dialogue proposed by the king. But when a few protesters tried to regain their former stronghold in Pearl Square, police...

Few of the Arab regimes facing rebellion are as brutal as that of Colonel Muammar Gaddafi - and now he's shown just how Libya deals with protesters, writes Con Coughlin

Gunmen wearing vests filled with explosives stormed a bank in eastern Afghanistan on Saturday as government employees were waiting to be paid, killing 18 people and wounding scores of others in a standoff punctuated by deadly explosions.

TEHRAN - The crude market is supplied with sufficient oil and the Arab world's political developments had affected oil prices, Iran's OPEC governor Mohammad-Ali Khatibi said on Saturday.

Iran Khodro Company (IKCO) and Turkey's Hema Endustri have signed a memorandum of understanding to jointly produce a car in Turkey.

Granulated sulfur exports via South Pars Export Terminal surpassed 1.7 million tons, managing director of Iran's South Pars Gas Complex Co. (SPGC) said.

Iran ranks first in the world in terms of design and safety measures in dam construction, managing director of Iran Water Resources Management Company said, adding the construction projects for about 125 dam reservoirs with a capacity of 19 billion cubic meters are underway.

EYE ON THE ARAB MEDIA -- While the American mainstream media emphasized the threats posed by the Muslim Brotherhood, warning that they could fill the power vacuum created in Egypt and Tunisia, Arab scholars from the U.S. and the region...

Bojonegoro: Dari hasil evaluasi pertandingan melawan Minangkabau FC beberapa waktu lalu, Sartono mengatakan lini depan timnya masih sangat lemah dalam memaksimalkan penyelesaian akhir.

Hold on to your wallets and pocket books, gas prices are going up and could hit a two year high by this summer. There are several factors that could affect what people in Nashville.

(From L) EU Commission President Jose Manuel Barroso, prime ministers Gordon Bajnai of Hungary, Werner Faymann of Austria, Recep Tayyip Erdogan of Turkey, Sergei Stanishev of Bulgaria and Emil Boc of Romania ...

Two Richmond-area residents who trace the history of "Gone With the Wind" and the woman who prosecuted O.J. Simpson on murder charges are coming to town.

A few links ... Bahrain’s authorities backed down from a standoff with protesters in a bid to ease tensions as government forces in Yemen, Libya and Djibouti shot at demonstrators ...

(CNN) -- Libyans opposed to longtime ruler Moammar Gadhafi vowed to hit the streets again Sunday, saying a violent crackdown by security forces since demonstrations began last week has energized their ranks.

Born in Pakistan, Al Siddiq lives the American dream, with his own business and a family. His sister-in-law is a doctor in Bahrain. "She said the situation is very tense, and they are not getting out, they are staying home," said Siddiq.

By Mahmud Farjami Mohsen Namjoo's live concert on 18 February in Malaysia was cancelled by the government only a few days before the performance. Thousands of Iranians who planned to attend the event and bought the tickets have been extremely upset and confused. It gets worse when you hear that...

New Delhi, Feb 19 (PTI) I-League champion Dempo's quest for qualifying in the AFC Champions League failed for the second time as they lost 0-2 to Qatar's top side Al Sadd in a play-off match in Doha today.

Tehran, Feb 19 (AFP) Iran today warned of a crackdown if opposition supporters stage new rallies which they have called to mourn the deaths of two victims of recent unrest and to show support to their leaders.

Iran on Saturday freed two German journalists arrested four months ago after they interviewed the son of an Iranian woman sentenced to death by stoning for adultery.An Iranian court threw out their 20-month prison sentence, commuting...

A top US official spoke with Bahrain’s crown prince Saturday, urging him to respect human rights and launch "meaningful" reform after mass protests, The White House said.

A comprehensive new U.S. intelligence report concludes that Iran has resumed research on key components for a nuclear weapon, but that the slow and scattered nature of the effort reflects renewed debate within the regime over whether to build a bomb, U.S. officials said.

MANAMA, Feb 20 (Reuters) - Protesters in Bahrain won a symbolic victory on Saturday, Libyan security forces opened fire to disperse mourners and a new party was approved in Egypt as the uprisings sweeping the Arab world challenged its rulers.

Bahraini protesters take back key square

Scores more were seriously wounded, and one hospital official said a body appeared to have been hit by an anti-aircraft missile, as violence continued in Benghazi.

As political unrest shakes its tiny Gulf ally Bahrain, much more is at stake for the United States than just the fate of the US Fifth Fleet's base, analysts said.

BERLIN (AFP) - The Berlin film festival wraps up Sunday after handing a gripping Iranian drama, "Nader and Simin: A Separation", its Golden Bear top prize in a year spotlighting the country's embattled directors.

Bahrain’s authorities backed down from a standoff with protesters in a bid to ease tensions as government forces in Yemen, Libya and Djibouti shot at demonstrators, seeking to suppress calls for change sparked by the toppling of leaders in Egypt and Tunisia.

Iran's defense minister has hailed the completion of 32 scientific and research projects, which were unveiled at a ceremony on Saturday.

Dave Wright, a well-known television news host in the Maritimes, has died. He was 82.

These photos are from the Daytona 500 and were take by 21 Sports videographer Jeff Holenchick. More>>

Qatar Airways will launch flights to Shiraz from June 5, its third destination in Iran and 101st worldwide. The national carrier already operates double daily services to the capital city of Tehran and five-flights-a-week to Mashad in northern Iran.

Iran has freed two German reporters who were held last year, state media says.

Berlin/Tehran - German Foreign Minister Guido Westerwelle was on his way back to Germany early Sunday with two journalists set free earlier in the day by Tehran.

WASHINGTON (AP) — Former U.S. officials on Feb.19 urged the Obama administration to take an Iranian dissident group off its list of terrorist organizations, saying the move would raise pressure on Tehran at a time when authoritarian regimes are tottering across the Middle East.

One of the most fundamental characteristics of the internet is its vast global network of interconnected servers, so experts were surprised when the Mubarak regime was able to so completely pull the plug on internet access for Egypt's 20 million online users.

Slave Trade! Children Bought And Sold In Nigeria

MANAMA - BAHRAINI security forces opened fire on Friday on anti-regime protesters in the capital, with reports of up to 55 wounded, after the army vowed 'strict measures' to restore order after a deadly police raid. Crown Prince Salman bin Hamad al-Khalifa promised to open a national dialogue once calm...

PETALING JAYA: It was a heart-breaking experience for youngster Nurul Nadia Mohd Fauzi as her bicycle chain snapped during the women’s junior road race to squash her hopes of giving Malaysia a much sought after medal on the final day of the Asian Cycling Championships in Korat yesterday.

KUALA LUMPUR: National number four Mohd Asyraf Azan was disappointed for failing to live up to his top billing in two Professional Squash Association (PSA) tournaments in Iran.

Iranian director Asghar Farhadi scooped three awards with his film about marital strife as the Berlinale film festival drew to a close. Other winners came from Germany, Argentina, Albania and Hungary.

The turmoil in North Africa and the Middle East has helped drive oil prices up to more than $102 a barrel for the benchmark Brent crude, but so far there have been no significant disruptions in production or supply, according to experts at the International Energy Agency here.

WASHINGTON - Former U.S. officials on Saturday urged the Obama administration to take an Iranian dissident group off its list of terrorist organizations, saying the move would raise pressure on Tehran at a time when authoritarian regimes are tottering across the Middle East.

Sapulpa Lions Club membership gathered once again together to meet after the having two regular meetings were cancelled by inclimate weather.

US cables reveal President Hosni Mubarak unwilling to introduce meaningful reforms.

The Canadian dollar reached an almost three-year high Thursday before closing unchanged.

BERLIN, Feb 20 — Iranian drama “Nader and Simin: A Separation” won the Golden Bear for best picture at the Berlin film festival today, while its ensemble cast also picked up the best actor and actress prizes on a triumphant night. Director Asghar Farhadi’s portrayal of a marriage in crisis...

Protesters hold Bahrain square; shooting in Libya

MANAMA (Reuters) - Protesters in Bahrain took back a symbolic square on Saturday and Libyan security forces shot more people demonstrating against longtime leader Muammar Gaddafi as uprisings sweeping the Arab world challenged its rulers.

Jokes from TV comedy show monologues.

Berlin, Feb 20: Iranian director Asghar Farhadi's "Jodaeiye Nader az Simin" (Nader And Simin, A Separation) scooped up a string of top prizes at the Berlin Film Festival Saturday, including the Berlinale's prestigious Golden Bear for best motion picture.

AFP/Tehran Iran has freed two German reporters held for interviewing the son and lawyer of a woman sentenced to death by stoning for adultery, after commuting their jail terms to $50,000 fines, state media announced yesterday.

Iran has freed two German journalists arrested four months ago after they interviewed the son of an Iranian woman sentenced to death by stoning for adultery.

Jubilant crowds in Bahrain celebrate after police retreat from symbolic centre of anti-government protests.

Iran warned the opposition on Saturday against staging demonstrations after calls were posted on websites for a rally on Sunday to commemorate two people killed during protests this week, state media reported

DOUGLAS BIRCH Associated Press WASHINGTON Former top-ranking U.S. officials on Saturday urged the Obama administration to take an Iranian dissident group off its list of terrorist organizations, saying the move would raise pressure on Tehran at a time when authoritarian regimes are tottering across the Middle East. Several ex-officials...

Iran's President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad says the enemies of the Iranian nation have no fear of weapons, missiles and bombs yet they accuse the country of pursuing a military nuclear program.

An Iranian Navy commander says commandoes have captured and detained two suspected Somali pirates near a southeastern port city after the sea bandits hijacked an Iranian fishing boat.

Two German reporters arrested for interviewing the son and lawyer of a woman sentenced to death by stoning were preparing on Saturday to return home after being freed with a USD50,000 fine, state media announced.

KABUL, Afghanistan (AP) - Gunmen wearing explosives vests stormed a bank in eastern Afghanistan Saturday as government employees were waiting to be paid, killing at least eight people and wounding scores of others in a standoff punctuated by deadly explosions.

BERLIN - A GRIPPING Iranian families drama, Nader And Simin: A Separation, won the Golden Bear top prize on Saturday at the 61st Berlin film festival, which spotlighted the country's embattled directors. The picture by Asghar Farhadi, telling the story of a crumbling marriage, examines the conflict between strict religious...

A top Iranian military commander has urged the military commanders of Muslim countries not to resist the rightful demands of their nations.

IRAN freed two detained German journalists, state media reported, and Germany's Foreign Minister arrived in Tehran to take them home.

Like millions of others, I find myself fascinated by the unfolding drama in the Middle East. History is truly unfolding before our eyes, and so rapidly that by the time this makes it to print many new events are apt to have made this somewhat dated. However, given the current...

Several Iranian councils and associations based outside Iran have organized solidarity gatherings to take place today and tomorrow in support of the people's protests in Iran.

My kids — the oldest is 13 — seem to think that anything that happened in the pre- iPad era is ancient history and therefore of little relevance to them. The American public and politicos must tacitly agree.

Opposition websites have posted calls for nationwide protests on February 20 to commemorate the two students who were killed in the February 14 protest in Tehran. The opposition group called the Coordinating Council of the Green Path of Hope said the rallies are also intended to show "decisive support" for...

Iranian opposition leader Mir Hossein Mousavi and his wife Zahra Rahnavard lost their last link to the outside world today when their personal guards were dismissed by the Islamic Republic security forces. Kaleme website reports that the house arrest of these two opposition leaders has become complete, with no direct...

The Persian Cultural Center of North Carolina (PCC) is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization dedicated to the preservation and celebration of Iran's rich cultural heritage. The PCC serves the needs of the families and friends of hundreds of Iranian, Afghan, and Tajik families living in central North Carolina.

Anti-government protesters in Bahrain swarmed back into a symbolic square on Saturday, putting riot police to flight in a striking victory for their cause

ALI AKBAR DAREINI Associated Press TEHRAN, Iran Iran freed two German journalists arrested four months ago in connection with a highly publicized stoning case, and Germany's foreign minister went to Tehran on Saturday to bring the reporters home in a rare top-level visit by a Western government representative. An Iranian...

Iran's opposition has invited Iranians to attend a protest rally in Tehran and other cities on February 20 to mark a week since the deaths of two people in earlier demonstrations.

Manama, Bahrain— Thousands of singing and dancing protesters streamed back into Manama's central Pearl Square Saturday after Bahrain's leaders withdrew tanks and riot police following two straight days of a bloody crackdown by security forces in the tiny monarchy.

With strong name recognition in Florida, Rep. Connie Mack could be a front-runner in a 2012 Senate contest with Sen. Bill Nelson . But his libertarian leanings could hurt him. For now, he’s not decided whether to run.

As the demand for surgical enhancement explodes around the world, New York has developed a variety of niche markets that allow the city's many immigrants to get tucks and tweaks that are tailored to their cultural preferences and ideals of beauty.

Four hundred years later and Shakespeare still says it best: “Something’s rotten in the state of…” well, in a lot of states actually.

Tehran - Two German journalists detained in Iran for four months after entering the country on tourist visas have been released, the Foreign Ministry in Berlin confirmed on Saturday.

Germany's Foreign Ministry says two journalists arrested in Iran after interviewing the son of a woman condemned to die by stoning have been released.

TEHRAN, Feb. 19 (MNA) -- Hand-painted clothes by Sara Shayesteh-Mehr will go on display during an exhibition at the Mess-Negar Gallery from February 28.

Iran has freed two detained German journalists, state media reported, adding that Berlin's Foreign Minister Guido Westerwelle is arriving later on Saturday in Tehran.

Among the marchers pledging loyalty to Bahrain's embattled king were many from afar: other Sunni Arabs and South Asians granted citizenship and jobs in the tiny Gulf nation.

MANAMA, Bahrain — Security forces opened fire Friday on Bahraini protesters for a second straight day, wounding at least 50 people as thousands defied the government and marched toward Pearl Square in an uprising that sought to break the political grip of the Gulf nation's leaders.

MANAMA, Bahrain -- Security forces opened fire Friday on Bahraini protesters for a second straight day, wounding at least 50 people as thousands defied the government and marched toward Pearl Square in an uprising that sought to break the political

TEHRAN, Feb. 19 (MNA) – Iranian Foreign Ministry spokesman Ramin Mehmanparast has called for expansion of media ties between independent countries in efforts to neutralize the Western propaganda campaign against independent states.

In case you missed them here are the 10 most popular videos that appeared on MarketWatch for the week of Feb. 14-18.

Iran's state TV website: 2 jailed German journalists fined $50,000, clearing way for release.

Manama - Bahrain's king has offered a national dialogue “with all parties” in a conciliatory move to resolve a crisis that has killed six people since it began and wounded hundreds, rocking the key regional ally of the US.

On Friday, mourners chanting anti-government slogans at funerals for the dead created a potential new flashpoint, with Bahrain emerging as a possible Egypt in miniature for President Obama.

Gold Finishes The Week At $1388.60..... Silver Makes New 30 Year High's....$32.87..... Another volatile week in the precious metals as the middle-east crisis expands

The Bahraini opposition on Saturday rejected an offer of dialogue from the authorities saying it will join talks only after the cabinet quits and troops behind a bloody crackdown leave the streets.

Kuwait seals naphtha term at $18 a tonne

Two of the Middle East's most entrenched rulers were battling to stay in power today amid reports of dozens of protesters killed in Libya and an offer of talks by Bahrain's king being rebuffed.