News Archive - 3 July 2011

>BAGHDAD (Reuters) - Iraq has launched a military crackdown on smuggling gangs, al Qaeda militants and Shi'ite militias responsible for recent attacks U.S. forces, security officials said on Sunday. Triggered in part by a spate of attacks on U.S. forces last month, the crackdown aims to staunch the...

Iran plans to test-fire new “supersonic surface-to-sea missiles” as part of its war games in the Persian Gulf in the coming days, says a senior Iranian military commander.

Filmmaker Alexandra Pelosi offers a rather endearing take on one of our most contentious issues with the documentary "Citizen USA: A 50-State Road Trip" (8 p.m., HBO).

Iran international Andranik Teymourian has left Traktor Sazi to join Tehran giants Esteghlal on a one-year contract for an undisclosed fee. The 28-year-old former Bolton and Fulham midfielder had several opportunities elsewhere in Iran but opted for the 2010-11 Persian Gulf Cup runners-up.

We're in Day 16 of life with Mother Mary, which is now a countdown, like the Iran hostage crisis. I'm waiting for the cable company to rescue me.

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 such methods – should be taken in our days for similar reasons, for – strengthen positions of women?

KABUL, Afghanistan - On a street of pulsing electronics shops, young men with spiked hair and tight jeans browse through DVD stalls and huddle over sidewalk computer stands, downloading the latest hot song or video clip and passing them instantly via bluetooth technology from cellphone to cellphone.

In a country of hard men, Meir Dagan, the recently retired head of the Mossad, Israel’s foreign intelligence service, is one of the hardest. He is the Siberian-born son of Holocaust survivors, an ex- commando who has arranged the assassinations of many of Israel’s enemies.

Word of warning for the holiday today: Stay inside. No swimming, no barbecuing, no nothing. Meteorological rumors -- we all have learned there are no such things as facts, in the traditional sense, when it comes to weather predicting -- suggest there will be a lot of sunshine with temperatures...

War and violence backdropped Texas A&M student Mohammed Baban's life, but optimism reigns this Fourth of July for the 23-year-old who's on the path to becoming an American. His earliest memories include dreamlike flashes of a red explosion-lit ...

The Director of National Iranian Petrochemical Company (NIPC) Abdolhossein Bayat said that Iran exported 2 billion U.S. dollars worth of petrochemical products in two-month period from March 21 to May 20, the local Press TV reported Sunday.

The value of Iran's international trade has reached $23.73 billion in the first quarter of the current Iranian calendar year (which started on March 21).

Tehran, July 2 (KCNA) -- Iranian Intelligence Minister said Wednesday that his country is already prepared to counter the U.S. President Barack Obama's "Internet in briefcase" plan.

Tehran, July 1 (KCNA) -- Iran allowed Russian experts to study the two latest drones of the 5th U.S. Fleet, which were shot down early in January this year.

First steps on road to 2014 World Cup in Brazil

National TV highlights for Tuesday, July 5.

A senior Iranian lawmaker slammed the Special Tribunal for Lebanon (STL) ruling on Lebanese Sunni former Prime Minister Rafik Hariri's assassination, the semi- official Fars news agency reported on Sunday.

He Guoqiang, a senior official of the Communist Party of China (CPC), arrived in the southern French coastal city of Nice on Saturday to begin a four-day official goodwill visit to France.

Toronto’s 31st Pride Parade goes for less razzle dazzle and more heartfelt messages

Iranian ambassador to Tokyo said here Sunday that Iran's trade value with Japan amounted to 12 billion U.S. dollars last year despite the western sanctions, the official IRNA news agency reported.

The Palestinian team made the most of its rare homeground advantage Sunday, advancing to the second round of Asian World Cup qualifying after a 1-1 draw with Afghanistan gave them a 3-1 aggregate victory. The only one of FIFA's 208 members which is not a U.N. recognized state, the...

He Guoqiang, a senior official of the Communist Party of China (CPC), late Saturday called for closer cooperation between the Chinese and French local governments to push forward the overall bilateral relationship.

Alexandra Pelosi needed an American flag for the Fourth of July, and last week, I set out to help her get one.

Iranians mourning a 23-year-old airline tragedy tossed flowers in the Gulf on Sunday at the site where an Iranian passenger plane was downed by a US warship, killing all 290 aboard in an incident Washington describes as a mistake...

WASHINGTON - THE US-Saudi relationship has remained 'in pretty good shape' through the turmoil of the Arab Spring movements, US National Security Adviser Tom Donilon said on Sunday. 'I think that coming out of the beginnings of the Arab Spring so much uproar (was) so much turmoil and... so much...

Iran's ambassador to Japan says the volume of trade transactions between Tehran and Tokyo has witnessed a considerable growth, predicting that the figure will hit $17 billion in the near future.

Germany is ready to sell more than 200 Leopard tanks to Saudi Arabia in a multi-billion euro deal after the government’s security council gave its stamp of approval last week, Der Spiegel magazine reported Sunday.

LAHORE (Pakistan) - PAKISTAN on Sunday hosted its first major international sporting event since gunmen attacked the Sri Lankan cricket team two years ago, but were put out of the 2014 soccer World Cup by visitors Bangladesh. Bangladesh, leading 3-0 from the first leg of the Asian zone first qualifying...

Iran will completely seal off its eastern borders with Afghanistan and Pakistan by 2015 to prevent drug smuggling and infiltration of armed groups, media quoted the police chief as saying Saturday.

The NATO Secretary General's Special Representative for the Caucasus and Central Asia, James Appathurai, visited Ashgabat and was received by President Gurbanguly Berdymukhamedov.

India suffered a 1-3 defeat against Malaysia but the young shuttlers still reached the knockout stage of the Asia Youth Under-19 mixed Team Championships here Sunday.

The president of Iraq’s autonomous Kurdistan region warned Sunday that ties with Tehran could suffer if Iran continues cross-border shelling against opponents.

MANILA, Philippines - The Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas (BSP) has downplayed the impact of Saudi Arabia’s decision to stop granting work permits to domestic workers from the Philippines on the total amount of money sent home by Filipinos working abroad.

Viewed as a quirky long-shot, Congressman Thaddeus McCotter (R-Mich.) officially announced his intent to run for president during a July 2 Independence Day celebration in Whitmore Lake, Mich.

Die weltgrößte Container-Reederei, die dänische Maersk Linie, läuft künftig die drei wichtigsten iranischen Container-Häfen nicht mehr an. Betroffen sind die Häfen Bandar Abbas, Bandar Khomeini und Asaluyeh.

Mughal Emperor Akbar In Strange Parallels Victor Lieberman made a reference to “Turkicized Pathans.” The very term has been gnawing at me. To get some sense of the context, Lieberman was sketching out the impact of Islamic civilization upon Indian civilization. Sometimes this “impact” was very literal. The Arab...

Event listings for Monday, July 4.

Secret Defence Department documents obtained under FOI reveal Australia went to war in Afghanistan without a clear policy on how to deal with enemy detainees.

1 July, 2011: Keynote given at NetHui in Auckland, New Zealand, arguing for high-functioning democracies exercising independent judgment.

The United Nations passing of an "historic" gay rights resolution is just one more example of the enormous waste of resources this organization proves to be. Of all the horrific problems our world faces today that the U.N. can't seem to remedy, and they roll out this resolution with...

— Monaco’s Prince Albert II and Princess Charlene promised each other love and fidelity in an extravagant religious wedding Saturday attended by international celebrities and royalty, bringing new allure to the tiny principality known for its luxurious casinos and as a stomping ground for the rich and famous.

The ships involved in Freedom Flotilla II intend to make an attempt to leave from ports here and elsewhere in the country Monday.

MANILA, Philippines — (The following is my missive to DFA Undersecretary Rafael Seguis, excusing my absence at tomorrow’s DFA Day.)   Dear Paeng,   Thank you for your letter inviting me on 5 July to DFA Foundation Day where, on the margins, I will be one among retired envoys...

Iran's oil exports to India are continuing with no plans to halt supplies after a warning to the neighboring country over delays in paying for imported crude, an Iranian oil ministry official said.

The United States has had "scratchy periods" with Saudi Arabia and other Middle Eastern allies over its support for reform movements in the region, National Security Adviser Tom Donilon acknowledged in a TV interview that aired Sunday.

AFP/London State-owned oil companies are a rising force in the global energy sector as private rivals such as BP and Total seek access to new supplies and push to expand their markets.

Iran: A top Iranian lawmaker has censured the US-backed Special Tribunal for Lebanon (STL) for issuing indictments against Hezbollah members over the assassination of former Lebanese premier Rafiq Hariri.

Draw for the second round of Asian qualifying for 2014 World Cup finals in Brazil.

Steven Lopez is in severe danger of not even qualifying for London 2012 after shock taekwondo qualifying defeat in Baku.

Armed men on Sunday killed five Iraqi police officers in a drive-by shooting in the western part of the country. The gunmen approached a checkpoint in the town of Rutbah in Anbar province on Sunday and opened fire on the officers, who were stationed there.

Tehran, July 3 : Iran's Presidential Centre has said the charges against two key allies of President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad are false and baseless.

BANDAR ABBAS, Iran - Iranians mourning a 23-year-old airline tragedy tossed flowers in the Gulf on Sunday at the site where an Iranian passenger plane was downed by a U.S. warship, killing all 290 aboard in an incident Washington describes as a mistake but many in Iran consider a...

President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad has announced a new plan which envisages the allocation of a 1000-meter land to every Iranian family to construct a villa and grow gardens.

Iranian parliament has been urged to probe into the situation of Iranian prisons and the situation of political prisoners in a letter from prisoners' families addressed to the parliament's National Security Commission.

The value of Iran's annual oil and gas production has reached $217 billion and will rise in the coming years due to the vast new investments in the sector, Iran's deputy oil minister announced on Sunday.

Iranian Americans may continue to travel using Iran Air, despite the recent imposition of sanctions on the company, according to the U.S. Treasury's sanctions enforcement agency and the U.S. State Department.

Iranian Law Enforcement Police forces have seized over 2 tons of different types of illicit drugs in separate operations in Iran's Southeastern province of Kerman during the last 48 hours, the provincial police department announced on Sunday.

Caviar export is considered as one of the genuine and fundamental elements of Iran's special exporting products by worldwide organizations including Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO).

Former All Black and Chiefs halfback Byron Kelleher mingled with European royalty and celebrities at Prince Albert's wedding in Monaco at the weekend.Kelleher, who has been playing for Toulouse in France, attended the nuptials...

Tehran, July 3 : Iranian Defense Minister Brigadier General Ahmad Vahidi has slammed the arms allegations made by U.S. Secretary of Defense Robert Gates against the Iran, branding it as "baseless".

>BEIRUT (Reuters) - President Bashar al-Assad sacked the governor of Hama province on Saturday, a day after tens of thousands of protesters massed in the provincial capital to demand the Syrian leader step down. The demonstration in Hama, scene of a bloody crackdown by Assad's father nearly 30 years ago,...

WASHINGTON - Sens. Lindsey Graham and Joe Lieberman are expressing concern that Iran is aggressively extending its support for anti-democracy forces wherever they appear.

Follow Israel news on and . An Israeli lawmaker managed Sunday to stop a European body from approving a motion of support for the unilateral declaration of the Palestinian Authority as a new Arab country.

TEHRAN, July 3 (UPI) -- An Iranian lawmaker said Sunday the Parliament would discuss plans to try U.S. intelligence officials in absentia for allegedly recruiting spies.

MULTAN : Prime Minister Syed Yusuf Raza Gilani on Sunday rejected Opposition's call for mid-term polls and said it was time for local government elections in the country.

Kuwaiti officials have refused to issue visas for delegations from ten different countries to attend the annual al-Quds Conference for Palestine Youth.

WASHINGTON (AP) — Sens. Lindsey Graham and Joseph I. Lieberman expressed concern Sunday that Iran is aggressively extending its support for anti-democracy forces wherever they appear. In appearances on "Fox News Sunday," Mr. Graham, South Carolina Republican, said it is important for the United States to push back against Iran's ...

HONG KONG (AFP) - There was a goal glut in Asian qualifying for the 2014 World Cup on Sunday with Malaysia, Vietnam, Philippines and Myanmar among those who advanced into the second round.

MONACO (AP) — Monaco's Prince Albert II and Princess Charlene promised each other love and fidelity in an extravagant religious wedding Saturday attended by international celebrities and royalty, bringing new allure to the tiny principality known for its luxurious casinos and as stomping ground for the rich and famous.

Washington, July 3: The American military is rapidly expanding its aerial and Central Asian supply routes to the war in Afghanistan, fearing that Pakistan could cut off the lines used for providing US and NATO forces with fuel, food and equipment.

TEHRAN, July 3 (MNA) – In a letter to the Majlis Presiding Board, MP Ali Motahhari has criticized the board members for pressing the MPs who have signed a motion to ask questions from the president to withdraw their signatures.

TEHRAN, July 3 (MNA) -- Goalkeeper Vahid Taleblu has parted company with Esteghlal by mutual consent on Sunday.

Iran has censured Britain over the violent crackdown on protests in the UK during which thousands of workers objected to the proposed changes to their pension system.

TEHRAN, July 3 (MNA) -- Esteghlal striker Mehdi Seyed Salehi returned to Sepahan of Isfahan for an undisclosed fee on Saturday.

Iran plans to prosecute 26 current and former American officials, an Iranian lawmaker said Sunday, potentially escalating a tit-for-tat dispute between the two countries.

TEHRAN, July 3 (MNA) -- Mahram has pulled out of the Iran Basketball League because of internal problems.

Iran's First Vice President Mohammad-Reza Rahimi says the time is ripe for Afghanistan to oust occupying forces and take security measures into its own hands.

"This institution like other military institutions controls a number of military piers, but no financial transaction is conducted there," Jafari told the Mehr News Agency on Sunday. He added that certain people raise such issues to divert the government's attention from the places through which goods are smuggled.

TEHRAN, July 3 (MNA) -- The Iranian ambassador to Japan has said it is expected that the volume of trade between Tehran and Tokyo would reach $17 billion in the future, despite the sanctions imposed on the Islamic Republic.

TEHRAN, July 3 (MNA) -- The value of Iran’s annual oil and gas production has reached $217 billion and will rise in the coming years due to the vast new investments in the sector, Iran’s deputy oil minister announced on Sunday.

Iran's supreme court has overturned a death sentence handed down to Yusef Nadarkhani, a Christian pastor accused of apostasy for having converted from Islam, his lawyer told AFP on Sunday.

The central bank lost P12 million from an emergency program to take on the Libyan dinars brought home by Filipino workers who had to rush home when the Libyan crisis took a turn for the worse in March. But thatâs relatively good news for the Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas, which...

TEHRAN, June 3 (MNA) – Iran’s Navy plans to expand its presence beyond the region, the deputy Navy commander said on Saturday.

TEHRAN, July 3 (MNA) — An international conference with the theme of banking industry and global economy opened in Tehran on Sunday.

TEHRAN: Iran has "seriously warned" India that it could halt crude supplies if New Delhi failed to pay overdue payments hampered by international sanctions against Tehran, the oil ministry said Sunday.

TEHRAN, July 3 (MNA) -- Iran’s global trade value amounted to $23.73 billion during the first three months of the current calendar year (ended June 21), up 14.5 percent year on year, Iran's Customs Administration Director Abbas Me’marnejad said here on Sunday.

IF IT had not been for Australia's practice of insisting that it did not take prisoners of war, Tanik Mahmud, a 43-year-old Iranian captured by the Australian SAS at a roadblock in western Iraq in April 2003, might still be alive.

TEHRAN, July 3 (MNA) – Supreme Leader of the Islamic Revolution Ayatollah Seyyed Ali Khamenei in a message expressed condolences over the demise of Hojjatoleslam Mohammad Ali Sadouqi.

A campaign calling for the Argentinean government to bring the masterminds of the terrorist attack on the AMIA Jewish Center in Buenos Aires to justice was launched.

TEHRAN, July 3 (MNA) -- Jordanian king’s endorsement of a cabinet reshuffle was a stopgap measure taken with the aim of putting down the popular uprising in the country, Iranian MP Esmail Kosari said on Saturday.

QUETTA, Pakistan (AP) - Gunmen who kidnapped two Swiss tourists in a volatile southwestern Pakistani province have taken them to a neighboring tribal area that was once a Taliban stronghold, a senior government official said Sunday.

TEHRAN - Iran has "seriously warned" India that it could halt crude supplies if New Delhi failed to pay overdue payments hampered by international sanctions against Tehran, the oil ministry said Sunday.

Event listings for Monday, July 4.

Iran plans to prosecute 26 current and former American officials, an Iranian lawmaker said Sunday, potentially escalating a tit-for-tat dispute between the two countries.

After dispatching Sri Lanka in the first round of it World Cup qualifying campaign, the Philippine national men's football team will move to the next round against its most formidable opponent yet: the Kuwait national football squad.

Washington (AFP) July 1, 2011 The Iranian military smuggled new deadly munitions to its allies in Iraq and Afghanistan in recent months in order to to accelerate the US withdrawals from these countries, The Wall Street Journal reported late Friday Citing unnamed US officials, the newspaper said the Islamic Revolutionary...

QUETTA: The Judicial Tribunal, which investigated the Kharotabad incident, suspects the victims were trained terrorists.

Iran's Guardian Council (GC) throws its weight behind a bill passed by the country's Parliament (Majlis) to merge five ministries into two new ministries, the council's spokesman Abbas Ali Kadkhodaei says.

> "A warning has been sent to those refineries that are debtors but sending such a letter does not mean Iran's oil exports have been cut and we have no intention to cut our exports to the Indian market," Mohsen Ghamsari, head of international affairs at the National Iranian Oil...

Hezbollah’s leader has vowed never to turn over four members of his group who have been indicted in the 2005 murder of former PM Rafik Hariri, saying in a defiant speech that “even in 300 years” authorities will not be able to touch them.