News Archive - 1 July 2011

This week marks a milestone of misery for millions of Sudanese citizens. It is the anniversary of the military coup that brought Field Marshall Omar Bashir to power in Sudan in 1989. Since then Bashir has earned international notoriety for his sustained campaign to cleanse his nation of people...

>AMMAN (Reuters) - Syrian forces killed 24 civilians on Friday, a prominent rights lawyer said, as tens of thousands of people called on President Bashar al-Assad to step down in some of the biggest demonstrations since a three month uprising. Defying Assad's military crackdown, demonstrators took to the streets again...

>BEIRUT (Reuters) - Indictments by a U.N.-backed court seeking the killers of statesman Rafik al-Hariri, which Lebanese officials say accuse Hezbollah members, will widen the country's political rift and increase sectarian tension. The long-awaited indictments will embolden the opposition led by Hariri's son, Saad, whose unity government was...

>MANAMA/DUBAI (Reuters) - Bahrain launches a national dialogue Saturday but many in the Shi'ite majority doubt the ruling Sunni monarchy will offer the concessions that could heal wounds caused by a crackdown on pro-democracy protests. The kingdom, which hosts the U.S. Navy's Fifth Fleet, has accused its mostly Shi'ite...

>AMMAN (Reuters) - Syrian forces shot dead three demonstrators in the central city of Homs on Friday, witnesses and activists said, as tens of thousands of protesters called on President Bashar al-Assad to step down. Defying weeks of military crackdown, demonstrations broke out in Damascus suburbs, near the Lebanese border,...

>MANAMA/DUBAI (Reuters) - Bahrain launches a national dialogue on Saturday but majority Shi'ites are skeptical the ruling Sunni monarchy is willing to offer the sort of concessions that could heal wounds caused by a crackdown on pro-democracy protests. The kingdom, which hosts the U.S. Navy's Fifth Fleet, has accused...

>NEW DELHI, July 1 (Reuters) - National Iranian Oil Co (NIOC) has said it will cut supplies for Indian clients in August if the two countries have still not found a way to make payments for the oil, three industry sources said on Friday. NIOC told refiners of the deadline...

An Iranian Canadian’s ordeal offers a number of lessons about the way politics work in the Middle East

TEHRAN, July 2 (MNA) – Iran’s Majlis Speaker Ali Larijani has said that Tehran and Baku should focus their attention on efforts to expand economic relations.

In the third of his series Jason Burke reports on growing tensions as clergy oppose incremental moves away from conservative Islam Part two: 'A very different society from Egypt, Tunisia or Syria' Part one: Stability, security and Iran On a Friday at one o'clock, Sheikh Saad Bin Naser al-Shethri is...

TEHRAN, July 2 (MNA) – Professor Jody Azzouni says in his view there is no distinction between ‘problems’ and ‘mysteries’.

TEHRAN, July 2 (MNA) -- President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad has stated that he will strongly defend his allies in the cabinet if they are arrested under any allegation, calling the cabinet a “red line”.

Chandigarh, Jul 1 : Hosting of two international tournaments features the sports calendar of activities for 2011-2011 in the Punjab Sports Department.

Iran's permanent mission to the UN has categorically rejected allegations about the mistreatment of three US citizens charged with espionage.

TEHRAN, July 2 (MNA) -- Supreme Leader of the Islamic Revolution Ayatollah Seyyed Ali Khamenei has said that the hands of the United States and the Zionist regime can be seen behind the developments unfolding in Syria.

TEHRAN, July 2 (MNA) -- The United Nations Human Rights Council has recently designated former Maldives foreign minister Ahmed Shaheed as the Special Rapporteur to investigate the human rights situation in the Islamic Republic of Iran.

TEHRAN, July 2 (MNA) -- The fact that those who used to fight against Pahlavi’s regime hand in hand are currently slandering each other does not befit the Islamic establishment, Expediency Council Chairman Akbar Hashemi Rafsanjani said on Wednesday.

The Iranian military has reportedly smuggled new deadly munitions to its allies in Iraq and Afghanistan.

The Iranian club Shahid Mansouri has stood second at the 2011 Asian Futsal Club Championship in Qatar, after losing to Nagoya Oceans of Japan.

Protesters have taken to the streets for 14 weeks to protest against Assad in unrest which has claimed the lives of around 1,300 civilians, with security forces arresting over 12,000 people and shooting security personnel who refused to fire on civilians, according to rights groups.

WHEELING - U.S. Army Capt. David VanCamp, a 2000 graduate of Wheeling Park High School, died Wednesday during a rocket attack in Iraq. He was 29.

CARACAS, Venezuela - President Hugo Chavez's revelation that he is battling cancer raises questions about the future of his drive to bring socialism to Venezuela and create a Latin America free of Washington's influence.

Arlington's trees

Caracas has denied human trafficking allegations by the US State Department which listed Venezuela among the countries to face penalties for their governments' weak efforts to fight the crime.

Iranian Taekwondo player Mohammad Baqeri-Motamed has stood second in the World Taekwondo Federation Qualification Tournament to secure a berth in the 2012 London Olympics.

ABU DHABI, July 2, 2011 (AFP) - Far away from the Caspian Sea, sturgeon are raised in ponds cooled in the heart of the Gulf desert of Abu Dhabi, carrying in their wombs a form of black gold strange to these countries -- caviar.

He Guoqiang, a Standing Committee member of the Political Bureau of the Communist Party of China (CPC) Central Committee, left Beijing Saturday morning for an official goodwill visit to France, Poland, Serbia, the United Arab Emirates (UAE) and Iran.

The Baathists in Syria have always been a status quo force. Politically and diplomatically, they have resisted change, and for long had been content with the fact that its geopolitics, which has widely been truncated, encroached and maligned, shouldn’t come as an impediment in the process of sustaining power in...

The arrest warrants issued this week by an international court against several Hez bollah members represent an opportunity for President Obama to resume America's traditional front-leading role in Middle Eastern affairs. After a maddening, incompetent and much too lengthy legal process, the tribunal created by the UN Security Council...

Iran has not mistreated two imprisoned American hikers charged with spying.

Largest Shia opposition group al-Wefaq agrees to participate in government-initiated "national dialogue" starting today.

PROTESTERS on a boat bound for the Gaza Strip were escorted back to shore yesterday as Greece announced it was banning vessels heading to Gaza from leaving its ports.

Iranian Parliament (Majlis) Speaker Ali Larijani has said Iran is interested in expanding economic and political cooperation with the Republic of Azerbaijan.

All ISS systems continue to function nominally, except those noted previously or below.

Baghdad (AFP) July 1, 2011 Violence killed more Iraqis last month than at any time since September, figures showed on Friday after the US reported deaths that also made June the deadliest month for its troops in Iraq for three years. The Baghdad government blames Al-Qaeda for most of the...

Recent leaks undermine hopes of a settlement that would allow full and safe withdrawal of Western troops by 2014

Tehran, June 30 (KCNA) -- The Islamic Revolution's Guards Corps of Iran began a 10-day missile training exercise on Monday "to preserve its readiness against enemy strikes".

Tehran, June 30 (KCNA) -- Construction of Iran-Turkmenistan railway project was officially begun in the city of Ganbad Kavoos, northern Iran, the Mehr News Agency reported.

Tehran, June 30 (KCNA) -- An international conference on combating terrorism was held in Tehran on June 25 and 26 with delegations and delegates from more than 60 countries and representatives of international organizations attending.

A ship carrying Canadian protesters bound for the blockaded Gaza Strip has been prevented from leaving a port in Greece.

MALAYSIA appear favourites, on paper, to win the mixed team title in the Asian Junior Championships but China, as usual, are unknown entities and will be the team to watch out for when the event begins in Lucknow, India today.

PETALING JAYA: Jagdish Singh is targeting the boys’ doubles crown with Low Juan Shen in their first appearance as a pair in the Asian Junior badminton championships, which will begin in Lucknow, India, today.

GAS is, or at least should be, the topic of conversation today. Distributors, commuters and even one provincial government, if not two, all have reason to be upset with new plans under which CNG stations will be closed for three days a week in Punjab and two days in Sindh.

IAN JAMES Associated Press CARACAS, Venezuela President Hugo Chavez's revelation that he is battling cancer raises questions about the future of his drive to bring socialism to Venezuela and create a Latin America free of Washington's influence. The biggest question, though, is just how sick is he? Suddenly, the issue...

CARACAS, Venezuela - President Hugo Chavez's revelation that he is battling cancer raises questions about the future of his drive to bring socialism to Venezuela and create a Latin America free of Washington's influence.

Islam Lotfy may look like your average 35-year-old Cairene. He's dark, clean-shaven, slightly chubby and wears glasses. There's nothing in his appearance that hints at his Islamist identity, save for the prayer mark on his forehead.

What does it mean to be an American? For the estimated 40 million Americans who were born outside this country, it boils down to a twenty-minute ceremony, probably held in a drab municipal building and capped off with a rousing rendition of a 1984 Lee Greenwood tune.

What This Means to the Iranian American Community: Purchasing a ticket on Iran Air and with Iran Air Tours and traveling on Iran Air between the US and Iran is not prohibited. Travel on Iran Air or with Iran Air Tours within Iran appears to be within the scope of...

Our film critic reviews the best and worst of this week's new releases...

Tehran rejected Friday comments made by the mothers of two U.S. hikers held in Iran for nearly two years who said their sons were tortured and sexually abused in custody, the official IRNA news agency reported.

More than 300 Lebanese and Syrians marched in solidarity with pro-democracy demonstrators in Syria, following Friday prayers in the northern town of Tripoli.

There is no greater ally to the US than Israel, a bulwark for democracy.

As a third-generation military man, Park City resident Travis Tessnow chose a different route than his father and grandfather who both served in the

New Delhi: India’s World Cup hero Yuvraj Singh has termed as “unfortunate” the ICC’s decision to abolish the practice of allowing batsmen to take runner when he is injured but welcomed the implementation of DRS technology in all the international matches.

Iran has threatened to stop crude oil supplies to India from August if New Delhi does not resolve a seven month old payment dispute.

One of the defining moments in television journalism occurred in November 1979, just days after Americans were taken hostage at the U.S. embassy in Iran. ABC launched a nightly half-hour national news program that aired at 11:30 p.m. to cover...

As Sadeq Jafari switched on his electric piano, his students shunted their wheelchairs enthusiastically around him to rehearse new songs.

MONTREAL - A ship carrying Canadian protesters bound for the blockaded Gaza Strip has been prevented from leaving a port in Greece. Organizers say Greek coast guards boarded the ship today and attempted to arrest a Canadian passenger for refusing to surrender the boat's registration papers.

Technology is becoming increasingly pervasive in B2B buyer-seller relationships and strategic marketing endeavors. That's why I could not resist the French-American Chamber of Commerce's recent seminar. They invited Erik van Ommeren of VINT, the international research institute of Sogeti, to discuss how technology affects business and society. VINT - Vision...

Iran is disputing allegations that its country has mistreated two imprisoned American hikers charged with spying.

Friends of Israel, countries and individuals that sincerely wish Israelis well, should send a message this week: Mr. Netanyahu, Mr. Barak, for your sake, for Israel's sake, let the flotilla sail to Gaza.

The Associated Press The Associated Press UNITED NATIONS Iran is disputing allegations that its country has mistreated two imprisoned American hikers charged with spying. The country's mission to the U.N. said in a statement that relatives of the hikers have made "baseless allegations" about the treatment of Shane Bauer,...

WASHINGTON — June was the deadliest month in nearly a year for U.S. service members in Afghanistan and Iraq even as the United States said that improved security in both countries allows it to reduce troops in those war zones.

The group might have been able to weather this week's indictments for its role in the 2005 death of Lebanon's Prime Minister, were it not for the Arab Spring

AFP/Beirut Lebanon braced yesterday for a possible backlash after a UN-backed tribunal issued an indictment in the 2005 murder of ex-premier Rafik al-Hariri in which four Hezbollah members are named.

Protesters on a boat bound for the Gaza Strip were escorted back to shore as Greece announced it was banning vessels heading to Gaza from leaving its ports. Related Stories Strife warning on Hezbollah charges 'Six killed' in Syria protests Dalai Lama rejects China claim Gaddafi threatens attacks on Europe...

A senior U.S. congresswoman strongly condemned the United Nations Thursday for selecting North Korea for the rotating chairmanship of its disarmament body.

Tehran yesterday rejected comments made by the mothers of two US hikers held in Iran for nearly two years who said their sons were abused, the official Irna news agency reported.

Kulsoom Abdullah, 35, from Atlanta, Georgia, has won her battle to wear the clothing while competing.

Reuters/Dubai Bahrain expects its economy to grow by 3% in 2011 and recent unrest has not prompted international banks to leave the Gulf state, its central bank governor quoted as saying yesterday.

American protesters on a boat bound for the Gaza Strip were escorted back to shore Friday, as Greece announced it was banning vessels heading to Gaza from leaving Greek ports.

News 1.7.2011

Syrian security forces killed three demonstrators and wounded at least a dozen more Friday as hundreds of thousands turned out to demand the departure of Bashar al-Assad, activists said.

Energy has to be a part of your investment portfolio.

Chavez defends dictator friends in Middle East By John Otis CARACAS, Venezuela – With his anti-American rhetoric and socialist policies, Venezuelan President Hugo Chavez symbolizes the overturning of the status quo. But amid the uprisings in the Middle East, Chavez has often sided with the region’s despots. In a February...

National Iranian Oil Co has said it will halt supplies to Indian refineries in August if the two countries have still not found a way to make payments for their $12 billion a year oil trade, three industry sources said on Friday.

Syrian forces shot dead nine protesters as thousands of people called on President Bashar to go.

A judge sentences a spectator to jail for contempt. More>> BEIRUT (AP) - In a country with a history of scores left unsettled, Hezbollah is in a strong position to ride out an indictment accusing a high-ranking member of one of the most dramatic political assassinations in the Middle East.

The United Nations-backed special tribunal for Lebanon has indicted four men who are accused of assassinating former Prime Minister Rafik Hariri in 2005. According to media reports, the men are all Hezbollah members. The case could spark new sectarian tension in the country.

DAMASCUS : Syrian security forces killed six demonstrators as more than half a million people took to the streets across the country on Friday to demand the departure of Bashar al-Assad, activists said.

Revision Eyewear in Essex Junction has won a three-year contract with the U.S. Army worth nearly $2 million to develop a next-generation helmet that will apply the 'grim lessons' learned in Iran and Afghanistan to improve head protection, Sen. Patrick Leahy’s office announced Friday.

Danish shipping giant Maersk has decided to suspend business ties with several Iranian ports after the Obama administration blacklisted port operator Tidewater Middle East Co. 

Interview With Rita Miliute of Lithuanian National TV Interview Hillary Rodham Clinton Secretary of State Embassy Vilnius Vilnius, Lithuania July 1, 2011 QUESTION: Secretary Clinton, former First Lady of the United States Eleanor Roosevelt only allowed female reporters to her press conferences, forcing – so editors to hire women. Do...

Hezbollah's leader plans to speak Saturday about the indictment of four party members in the assassination six years ago of Rafik Hariri, Lebanon's former prime minister.

When U.S. Rep. Tim Murphy spoke at the Mon Valley Progress Council's quarterly meeting Thursday, the appointed topic was "A Nation at Crossroads."

Tom Cruise is back along with Simon Pegg and Ving Rhames in the fourth Mission: Impossible film. They are joined this time by Jeremy Renner, Paula Patton, Josh Holloway, Michael Nyqvist ( The Girl with the Dragon Tattoo ), Anil Kapoor ( Slumdog Millionaire ), and Lea Seydoux ( Midnight...

A Swiss couple have been kidnapped while travelling in southwestern Pakistan, a senior government official said on Friday, triggering a police search.

The following listings are not casting notices but instead reflect the best general information available about current casting assignments. Do your homework and use them wisely. Do not phone or visit casting directors' offices.

Iran's Foreign Ministry Spokesman Ramin Mehmanparast says that the Islamic Republic of Iran is ready to help the refugees of the Libyan War.

Mr. Obama essentially has admitted defeat. He has publicly announced that U.S. forces will begin to pull out and that the process will be accelerated by the summer of 2012 — just in time for the election campaign. The administration has set a definite timetable for the American drawdown.

In an appearance on Russia Today, an English-language satellite channel financed by the Russian government that often takes a critical view of American policies, Col. Muammar el-Qaddafi's son Seif al-Islam said that the international intervention in Libya was motivated entirely by a desire to control Libya's oil and gas resources.

(Reuters) - Venezuela's socialist leader Hugo Chavez's disclosure from Cuba that he has cancer shook the country he has long dominated, but he said he would be home "soon".

The following is an interview with Sean Kane, an Iraq Program Officer with the United States Institute of Peace. June was the worst month for U.S. troop casualties ( NYT ) in Iraq in three years, and sectarian tensions have revived in reaction to regional protests.

BUENOS AIRES, Argentina (AP) — A leader of an Argentine Jewish group says that Bolivian President Evo Morales has apologized for meeting Iran's defense minister.

A new environmental report on fracking may help lift New York’s ban on the drilling procedure, news reports show. The executive order that bans the controversial practice of hydraulic fracturing in the state expires Friday, and Gov. Andrew Cuomo is expected to forgo another similar ban, the New York Times...

A leader of an Argentine Jewish group says that Bolivian President Evo Morales has apologized for meeting Iran's defense minister. Aldo Donzis says Morales met with members of his group and said it was "a mistake" to have met with Ahmad Vahidi.

ISLAMABAD: State Minister for Foreign Affairs Hina Rabbani Khar said on Friday that the recent Pakistan and India dialogue was a good start and hoped that a durable solution will be found to the Kashmir issue by taking fully on board the Kashmiri leadership.

TEHRAN, July 1 (MNA) -- MP Jafar Qaderi has said the lawmakers who have signed a motion to impeach Interior Minister Mostafa Mohammad-Najjar are standing by their decision.

Iran’s Majid Askari claimed the silver medal in the men's 56kg of the World Junior Weightlifting Championships on Thursday.

Iran's Majlis (Parliament) Speaker Ali Larijani says regional countries must resolve their problems without seeking outside help, as foreign intervention worsens the situation.