News Archive - 14 September 2011

> * Chavez says Iranian to visit after UN general assembly By Deisy Buitrago CARACAS, Sept 14 (Reuters) - Venezuelan leader Hugo Chavez said on Wednesday that Iranian President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad would visit the South American country this month, a move that could exacerbate tensions between Caracas and Washington. The...

> Just as the Iranian director Mojtaba Mirtahmasb iwas detained at the Tehran airport Wednesday, Palisades Tartan acquired U.S. and U.K. rights to his documentary "This is Not a Film." Iranian officials prevented Mirtahmas from going to the Toronto International Film Festival, where he was to attend the...

>TEHRAN (Reuters) - Clad head-to-toe in black -- the international uniform of heavy metal -- Mahyar Dean looks the archetype hard rock guitar hero. But along with the mandatory Marshall amplifier and out-sized drum kit, his group, Angband, also boasts a couple of goatskin percussion instruments that have been a...

> Glyn Davies, the U.S. ambassador to the U.N. nuclear watchdog, said the six major powers were discussing how to diplomatically react to the letter from Iranian nuclear negotiator Saeed Jalili to European Union foreign policy chief Catherine Ashton, in which Jalili said Iran was ready to resume...

The Associated Press The Associated Press VIENNA The United States says it is not interested in negotiations with North Korea "for the sake of simply talking," stressing the country must stop all nuclear activity. The U.S. statement to the U.N. nuclear agency on Wednesday said North Korea must...

Iran's judiciary says it's still reviewing details of a plan to offer bail for two Americans jailed on spying charges.

> "The two Americans are going to stay in prison for a bit longer. Reports of their imminent release are wrong," Iran's English-language Press TV quoted a judiciary official as saying. Shane Bauer and Josh Fattal were sentenced in Iran last month to eight years in prison. Ahmadinejad told U.

KABUL, Afghanistan — Taliban insurgents fired rocket-propelled grenades and assault rifles at the U.S. Embassy, NATO headquarters and other buildings in the heart of the capital Tuesday while suicide bombers struck police buildings in an attack blitz that displayed the ability of militants to bring their fight to the...

Despite increasing insecurity in Afghanistan and gun battles with Taliban rebels in the capital Kabul, Indian firms are bidding billions of dollars for a contract to mine iron ore in a central district of the country.

Despite increasing insecurity in Afghanistan and gun battles with Taliban rebels in the capital Kabul, Indian firms are bidding billions of dollars for a contract to mine iron ore in a central district of the country.

Fighter bombers of the Islamic Republic of Iran Air Force (IRIAF) have successfully struck and destroyed fixed and mobile targets in the second day of the main phase of a massive aerial military drills, Press TV reports.

Following are summaries of some of the main stories in a selection of Lebanese newspapers Thursday. The Daily Star cannot vouch for the accuracy of these reports.

Soldiers at this base sleep with their shoes on so they don't cut their feet running under rocket fire. Elsewhere in Iraq the tanks are being packed up, but here they still serve in the hunt for insurgents. And when U.S. troops hand out soccer balls to village children,...

Despite increasing insecurity in Afghanistan and gun battles with Taliban rebels in the capital Kabul, Indian firms are bidding billions of dollars for a contract to mine iron ore in a central district of the country.

(MENAFN - Jordan Times) The national basketball team plays Syria on Thursday in their first match at the 26th Asian Championship which tips off in Wuhan, China, September 15-25. Jordan will play ...

> You can reach us on: +7 495 775 1242 STOCKS CALL (Contributions to moscow.newsroom@reuters.com): Uralsib: Positive news from Europe shored up markets yesterday and US indices surged by more than 1.3 percent by the end of the session. We expect a marginally positive opening for the...

Tehran, Iran — The proposed bail-for-freedom deal for two Americans jailed as spies looked increasingly Wednesday like a repeat of last year's release of their companion: Quarrels between Iran's judiciary and president, and then a private jet dispatched by the sultan of Oman for the captives' first leg home.

Secretary of State Hillary Clinton met with Australian dignitaries in San Francisco tonight. It comes as the push continues for the release of two U.S. hikers from Iran. NBC Bay Area's Cheryl Hurd reports.

After 9 11 Western leaders moved to re-order the world, but ten years on the pieces have still not settled.

After 9 11 Western leaders moved to re-order the world, but ten years on the pieces have still not settled.

12:05 PM In the Independent , UK, Andrew Buncombe on the man who wants to become India's new executioner. Read

Pyongyang, September 14 (KCNA) -- Political parties, ministries, organizations, institutions of different countries and international organizations and personages of all strata sent floral baskets to the DPRK missions in their countries from Sept. 4 to 9 on the 63rd birthday of the DPRK.

The commissioning ceremony of the country's first nuclear power plant took place in the Iranian Bushehr. Currently the Bushehr nuclear power plant operates at 60% of its capacity, producing 300-400 MW of electricity.

Tony Blair has backed 'regime change' in Iran and Syria in an interview to mark the anniversary of 9/11.

Supporters of two American hikers detained in Iran on espionage charges were elated Tuesday after Iran’s president said they could be released this week on $500,000 bail. One day later, Iran’s judiciary has refuted reports of the hikers’ imminent release.

TEHRAN, Iran (AP) - Iran's president predicted Tuesday that two Americans arrested while hiking along the Iraq-Iran border and sentenced to eight years in jail on espionage-related charges could be freed "in a couple of days" after a court set ba...

Upset with the coverage China gets in Canada’s English-language press, the Chinese communist regime plans to take matters into its own hands by launching a state-run English newspaper in Canada, the Epoch Times has learned.

NEW YORK, Sept 15 — Belarus is the latest country that Western powers suspect of helping Iran skirt UN sanctions aimed at preventing it from expanding its ballistic missile and nuclear programmes, Western diplomats told Reuters. If the suspicions are confirmed, the already isolated Belarus would join China, Russia, Syria,...

Russians got a sneak preview of the president they are going to pick in next year's elections, and it's increasingly apparent that it won't be the incumbent, Dmitry Medvedev .

TEHRAN, Iran - Iran's judiciary on Wednesday denied President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad's statements that two American hikers convicted of spying were being pardoned and would be released within two days.

Which means the 'Bear' is no longer of consequence in the greater scheme of the universe. No doubt Chechnya, Iran and Georgia, worry about their use. StrategyWorld.com © 1998 - 2011 StrategyWorld.com. All rights Reserved.

> By Sanjeev Miglani KABUL, Sept 14 (Reuters) - Despite increasing insecurity in Afghanistan and gun battles with Taliban rebels in the capital Kabul , Indian firms are bidding billions of dollars for a contract to mine iron ore in a central district of the country. A consortium led by...

At the world level, electricity consumption fell by 1.5 per cent.

Iranian President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad says he is preparing to attend the UN General Assembly meeting.

Iran's judiciary Wednesday denied President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad's statements that two American hikers convicted of spying were being pardoned and would be released within two days.

I'm waiting on West 33rd Street for my bus back to Washington, D.C. For those who have taken the DC2NY bus, or one of the others that shuttle between the two cities, you know this spot. It's right in front of that strip joint.

Josh Fattal's and Shane Bauer's two-year imprisonment for wandering off a hiking trail is nearing an end. But their ordeal still reveals some seamy sides to adventure travel and media attention.

Iran's judiciary denied President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad's statements that two American hikers convicted of spying were being pardoned.

With the Qatar Stars League set to get underway tomorrow, FIFA.com takes a look at what the coming season may bring.

"This Is Not a Film" was shot entirely in Panahi's apartment, partially on an iPhone, and the footage was sneaked out of the country on a USB drive hidden in a cake. "This Is Not a Film" was shot entirely in Panahi's apartment, partially on an iPhone, and the footage...

Amid the ongoing major military maneuvers by the Islamic Republic of Iran Air Force (IRIAF) , a senior Iranian commander says the extensive aerial drills prove the ineffectiveness of Western sanctions against Iran.

The White House has moved forward with a planned NATO missile defense system, angering Russia.  

A young Chinese woman wanted to know: What is the English word for that gunky yellowish stuff in the corner of her eyes when she wakes up in the morning? She turned to Jessica Beinecke, the 24-year-old host of an online travel video program aimed at young Chinese viewers, and...

SUN LAKES, Ariz. — Former Massachusetts governor Mitt Romney continued to draw a sharp contrast with his top foe for the Republican presidential nomination, Texas Gov. Rick Perry, in a town-hall-style gathering Wednesday at this sprawling retirement community near Phoenix. It seemed no accident that Romney choose a packed audience...

Intense rains over the state of Santa Catarina in Brazil's South Region have once again caused floods in several cities. Since September 8, 2011, floods, flash floods and landslides have hit 96 cities in the region and, according to mainstream news, ...

Iran made it two wins out of two in Wednesday's Group A fixture when Ali Doustimehr's side defeated Qatar 3-0 courtesy of an Ali Rigi brace (32nd and 47th) and Bazaj Mohammed Reza effort six minutes from time.

Iran says it is confident about a November report by the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) on the country's peaceful nuclear energy program, Press TV reports .

TweetYet another failed quest for a Ms Universe title elicits a few reflections on the supposed shallowness of Filipino mores and culture. Twice the favorite and twice spurned: in the dating world, such a disappointing result as that suffered by the Philippines’ past two contestants in successive rounds of the...

The European Union's move to punish the Bashar Assad regime allow European energy companies to pull back gradually from buying heavy crude or doing lucrative work in Syrian oil fields. .

TRIPOLI, Libya -- In the emerging post-Qaddafi Libya, the most influential politician may well be Ali Sallabi, who has no formal title but commands broad respect as an Islamic scholar and populist orator who was instrumental in leading the mass uprising.

First Read: In was a free-wheeling town hall, Mitt Romney received generous applause as he praised one of the most controversial political figures in recent American history, former Vice President Dick Cheney.

WASHINGTON: The US State Department has not included Pakistan in a list of eight “countries of particular concern” whose governments have engaged in or tolerated particularly severe violations of religious freedom.

WUHAN – Smart Gilas Pilipinas won't leave anything to chance when it takes on unheralded United Arab Emirates as the battle among 16 Asian nations for one slot in the 2012 Olympics basketball competition begins here tonight.

Listen to the Audio HARI SREENIVASAN: Wall Street had an upbeat day. Stocks rose amid new signs that European leaders would act to prevent Greece from defaulting on its debt. The Dow Jones industrial average gained nearly 141 points to close at 11,246. The Nasdaq rose 40 points to close...

Ankara (AFP) Sept 9, 2011 An early warning radar Turkey is planning to host as part of NATO's missile defence system will be deployed in a military facility base near Malatya in the southeast, the foreign ministry said Wednesday. "The radar will be installed in a military base in Kurecik,"...

An investigator looking into the crash of Swissair Flight 111 near Peggys Cove, N.S., says he was prevented by senior RCMP and aviation safety officials from pursuing his theory that an incendiary device might have been the cause.

Vienna (AFP) Sept 14, 2011 The United States said Wednesday it hoped the UN atomic agency would "very soon" give more detail on new information the watchdog has on possible military dimensions to Iran's nuclear programme. "The real fear is that Iran is continuing ... and has over many years continued...

The Iranian Foreign Ministry says the country's ambassador to Libya has returned to Tripoli following the downfall of Libya's fugitive former ruler Muammar Gaddafi.

The Human Rights Commission of Pakistan (HRCP) is urging the complete demilitarisation of occupied Balochistan, as a precondition for a negotiated political settlement to end six decades of economic neglect, ethnic persecution and military repression by Islamabad.

Listen to the Audio GWEN IFILL: Next, two stories on the changing Middle East. First, from Cairo, Margaret Warner reports on the most potent political force in Egypt, the Muslim Brotherhood. MARGARET WARNER: Cairo's Al Farouk Hospital is a busy place, welcoming 800 to 1,000 people a day. It was...

WUHAN, China - 26th FIBA Asia Championship (Olympic Qualifier) Day 1 Live Update / Game Schedules / Results Game Schedule & Results / September 15 (DAY 1) 09:00am - Jordan def. Syria, 71-58 [STATS] 11:00am - I.R.Iran def. Ch. Taipei, 49-37 [STATS] 1:30pm - Japan vs. Indonesia [LINK]...

PENTAGON DECEPTION The Pentagon is more successful in using deception operations against closed societies like China and Iran but is careful to avoid "blowback" disinformation that reaches U.S. society, a Pentagon official said on Wednesday. "Yes, we do deception," said Jack Schaffner, an official within the office of the...

Recep Tayyip Erdogan, Prime Minister of Turkey, arrived in Cairo on Monday night almost turned celebrity, and with the evident intention of stomping.

VIENNA, Austria — A new Iranian offer to meet with the world powers is unusually short on preconditions and suggests Tehran may be ready to touch on some nuclear issues that previously were taboo, according to a copy of a confidential letter from a senior Iranian official. Shared with ...

During the Islamic Revolution in 1979 Arezou's parents were given a choice between country and religion. They chose religion and their persecution began. Since then they have endured a countless number

According to a new poll conducted by CNN/ORC, President Barack Obama’s disapproval ratings have hit a new high at 55 percent. The poll also found that only 36 percent of people approve of Obama’s handling of the economy.

Remember those hikers in Iran we told you about yesterday that were accused of being spies after getting picked up along the Iran-Iraq border in 2009.

SKUDAI: Universiti Teknologi Malaysia (UTM) wants to court more foreign broadcasting stations to promote and feature the university in their reports to an international audience.

LEIGH SALES, PRESENTER: The Gillard Government's pressing on with its unlikely efforts to get the Coalition to help rebuild its Malaysian solution and put offshore processing beyond doubt.

Release Time:  For Immediate Release WASHINGTON – Today, President Barack Obama announced his intent to nominate the following individuals to key Administration posts: Brad Carson – General Counsel of the Army, Department of Defense Alastair Fitzpayne - Assistant Secretary for Legislative Affairs, Department of the Treasury Michael A. McFaul -...

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Iran's judiciary has said the release on bail of two US citizens convicted of espionage was not imminent, rejecting President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad's announcement that they will be freed in a couple of days.

The agency notes that the other day Armenian Ambassador visited the province of Markazi, where he met with local businessmen and officials. A number of arrangements had been made.

In fall movies, women take charge By Sean P. Means The Salt Lake Tribune Published Sep 14, 2011 04:48PM MDT In the summertime, movies are guy time. Blockbusters usually feature studly superheroes like Thor or Captain America saving the world, or little guys — like Shia LaBeouf in the “Transformers”...

Russian and German defense ministers will meet on Thursday in Moscow to discuss issues of military cooperation as well as the controversial issue of the European missile shield, the Russian Defense Ministry said.

TEHRAN, Iran (AP) - Iran's president predicted Tuesday that two Americans arrested while hiking along the Iraq-Iran border and sentenced to eight years in jail on espionage-related charges could be freed "in a couple of days" after a court set ba...

The Associated Press Excerpts from recent editorials in newspapers in the United States and abroad: Sept. 11 The Seattle Times on defending America after 9/11: The passage of time — 10 years and beyond — cannot diminish the horror of those terrifying images of two airliners plunging into the Twin...

Beyond generating the news that Iran will release two long-detained American hikers (an announcement that has since been retracted), Ann Curry's interview with Iranian President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad this week has sparked some backlash. Golnaz Esfandiari at Radio Free Europe/Radio Liberty claims that the report, which comes shortly before the Iranian leader attends a U.N. General Assembly session ...

Sexy and rebellious, Maryam Keshavarz’s Circumstance takes interesting risks in touching upon the reckless allure of youthful abandon, drug use and lesbianism in the midst a male dominated hegemony. Nikohl Boosheri and Sarah Kazemy dazzle as Atafeh and Shireen, young Iranian beauties fighting for the freedom to love one another...

Virginia Commonwealth University in Qatar welcomed 70 new full time students to the Education City campus, including 63 to the Bachelor of Fine Arts and seven to the Masters of Fine Arts programmes.

After more than a decade apart, an Iranian family is back together and starting a new life in South Bend.

DALLAS (AP) — FC Dallas developmental player Jose Perez has died in a Houston car accident. A Harris County Sheriff's Office release says Perez was a passenger in a car that skidded into an intersection while trying to stop at a red light and overturned after being hit by another...

Refugees from Iran arrive Wednesday in South Bend The last time they were together there were tears and hugs and cries of sadness.

Proud man of faith Rick Perry started the day by suggesting our government be more Christian and will finish the day by prepping his talking points about that improperly sentenced guy his state will execute.

It was announced yesterday that AirAsia will be the official partner of the Barclays Premier League’s (BPL) club Queens Park Rangers (QPR). The partnership will see AirAsia’s corporate logo emblazoned

The last time they were together there were tears and hugs and cries of sadness.

It has long been a truism among pundits that coercive diplomacy is imprudent and usually ineffective. Diplomatic history suggests that it is nearly impossible for one country, however powerful, to compel another to change its values and outlook.

RAMALLAH, West Bank — Palestinian shopkeeper Fadi Bin Masraf was busy this week, putting away stacks of merchandise that feature the U.S. flag as part of imitation-designer American brands.

The lawyer for Shane Bauer and Josh Fattal says he is making bail arrangements for the pair.

Two people were murdered in Mexico for what they said on Twitter. It is a shocking crime, but not the first time such an event has happened.

NICOSIA [MENL] -- Iran and Russia have signed two agreements on nuclear cooperation. Copyrights 2008, Middle East Newsline. All rights reserved.

Ron Paul appeared on Your World with Neil Cavuto to strike back at Dick Cheney 's implicit dis of the Congressman ("There are nominees that I'm not enthusiastic about...not likely to get the nomination"), calling the former Vice President "a dictator." Host Neil Cavuto paraphrased Cheney's interview on...

After promising words from Iran?s president in an interview with Ann Curry and then news from Oman that they are sending bail money, there are some very promising signs that Montgomery County native Josh Fattal will be released soon.

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Mumford, N.Y. – After a propane site ignited Tuesday, the company is not only trying to figure out what caused the explosion, but whether or not they will rebuild in...

The Today Show travels to Iran and gives a big fat kiss to Mahmoud Ahmadinejad. Goinaz Esfandiari…

THE Association for the Advancement of Karatedo (AAK) Davao will compete in the 2nd Silent Knight Karatedo Open Championships set on October 1 and 2 in Singapore. Arthur Lao 11 and Pavel Jervis Bacayo will banner the very lean AAK Davao headed by Rommel Tan. The 15-year-old Lao, a Holy...

TEHRAN, Iran - The proposed bail-for-freedom deal for two Americans jailed as spies looked increasingly Wednesday like a repeat of last year's release of their companion: Quarrels between Iran's judiciary and president, and then a private jet dispatched by the sultan of Oman for the captives' first leg home.

In 2001, Salar Khoshfahm immigrated to the United States from his native Iran with his parents and siblings. Khoshfahm was thirteen years old.

Authoritarian regimes dream through propaganda and so, to see what they're fantasizing about, we regularly check in on what state-controlled media outlets have been churning out. China explores restroom rules, social benefits of gambling You might say the Global Times,  and particularly its English edition, is the class clown of...