News Archive - 18 September 2011

>TRIPOLI (Reuters) - Tripoli's military commander, an Islamist whose rise to prominence is being watched closely by the West, said on Sunday he wanted to build a democratic "civil state" in Libya in remarks that laid out an inclusive political vision after 42 years of despotism under Muammar Gaddafi. In...

>Iranian President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad told a U.S. television interviewer last week that Shane Bauer, 28, and Josh Fattal, 29, would be freed in coming days in a humanitarian gesture ahead of his trip to the United Nations in New York.The Gulf State of Oman has sent a plane...

TEHRAN, Iran – The release of two American hikers jailed in Iran was delayed Sunday because one of the judges whose signature is required on the paperwork is on vacation, the lawyer representing the two men said. The lawyer, Masoud Shafiei, said when he attempted to get the two signatures...

Member states of the United Nations as well as the international media should focus on the ongoing human rights crisis in Iran as Iranian President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad arrives in New York to attend the 66th session of the UN General Assembly, the International Campaign for Human Rights in Iran said...

Iran's foreign minister has said the courts are willing in "the near future" to commute the prison sentences for two Americans convicted of spying. Related Stories Tail part 'fell off crash plane' Obama seeks new tax on wealthy Hunter 'distracted wounded grizzly' Probe call adds to Berlusconi woes Oliver in...

Iranian President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad has left the Iranian capital of Tehran for New York to attend the 66th annual session of the United Nations General Assembly.

UVU Soccer

Iran's state prosecutor says authorities have arrested 19 suspects in a $2.6 billion bank fraud described as the biggest financial corruption scam in Iran's history.

We should exercise our right to free speech with more responsibility. Columbia International Relations Council and Association’s plan to dine with Iranian President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad this Wednesday has raised a few eyebrows on campus and in national and international media.

Authorities in Iran have arrested five people working for the BBC's Farsi-language service, Iranian state television reports . Related Stories Police seize biggest cocaine haul Hands off my Vegemite, says Rudd Bomb targets anti-terror policeman Suicide bomb targets top policeman Winslet and Downton enjoy Emmy wins

Ronald Reagan may have been the biggest traitor in American history. In his first inaugural address to the Congress, he said “Government is not the solution to our problem; government is the problem.”

Substantial energy projects are being implemented between Iran and Armenia to promote cooperation between the two countries.

The final statement of the first International Conference on Islamic Awakening in Tehran highlights the role of pure Islam and popular involvement in political and social fields.

James Garcia is the son of a soldier, grandson of a soldier, great-grandson of a soldier.

London, Sep 19(ANI): China is the global leader in terms of the number of people executed since 2007, according to Amnesty International's annual Death Sentences and Executions report.

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.

The Associated Press The Associated Press TEHRAN, Iran Iranian state television is reporting that authorities have arrested five people for working for the BBC's Farsi-language service. Monday's report on the channel's website says the group provided the British Broadcasting Corp. with video and negative news reports on Iran. The report...

In a rare human-trafficking case going to trial today, federal prosecutors accuse a group of Ukranians of luring desperate young people to the United States and forcing them into bondage cleaning Targets, Walmarts and other retail and office buildings.

Iran's Islamic Revolution Guards Corps (IRGC) has taken full control of the main base of the Party for Free Life of Kurdistan (PJAK) terrorist cell in northwest Iran, a top IRGC commander says.

A group of U.S. Christian and Muslim envoys is returning from Tehran after holding talks with Iran's president over the possible release of two Americans jailed as spies.

WASHINGTON: The US government is considering establishing a direct military hotline with Iran after a series of close encounters between US and Iranian forces in the Persian Gulf, The Wall Street Journal reported late Sunday.

(MENAFN - Qatar News Agency) Iran has voted for giving Libya's seat at the United Nations to its National Transitional Council (NTC), the spokesman for the Iranian Foreign Ministry Ramin ...

On the eve of the 10th anniversary of the 9/11 attacks, the Western Justice Center Foundation held its fourth Builders of Peace Gala to honor individuals, law firms and corporations that have made significant contributions to the Pasadena-based center's mission - the peaceful resolution of conflicts through education and community...

Clad head-to-toe in black -- the international uniform of heavy metal -- Mahyar Dean looks the archetype hard rock guitar hero.

The man who brought us rock videos and "Beavis and Butt-Head" is advising a media group in Kabul that is shaking up television in Afghanistan.

PHUKET: FC PHUKET got their second road win of the season last night, with a well-deserved 1-0 win against Songkhla FC in a hard-fought match at Tinsulanond Stadium in Songkhla Town.The lively match ...

(RTTNews) - The Thai stock market turned right back to the downside again on Friday, one session after it had ended the four-day losing streak in which it had fallen more than 50 points or 4.7 ...

The level of the Chao Phraya in the seven provinces would rise even further on Monday and Tuesday, according to the Thai Emergency Operation Centre for Floods, Storms and ...

Recent floods triggered by heavy monsoon rains in southern Pakistan have killed almost 300 people and affected six million others, the country`s National Disaster Management Authority (NDMA) said on Saturday. Recent floods in Sindh province have caused damage to an area of 7.9 million acres (3.2 million hectares),...

Eleanor Mondale, the vivacious daughter of former Vice President Walter Mondale who carved out her own reputation as an entertainment reporter, radio show host and gossip magnet, has died at her home in Minnesota.

By: Lauren DuhonICC offers student welcome programs Each year, students travel to LSU from all over the world, and though recent data shows international student enrollment is slightly lower than it was last fall, the campus is still home to a diverse sampling of the world's population. The total nu...

TEHRAN, Iran -- A bail-for-freedom deal for two Americans jailed as spies in Iran hit a snag Sunday because a judge whose signature is needed on the bail papers was on vacation, the prisoners' lawyer said, dashing hopes for their immediate release.

Eleanor Mondale Poling, the daughter of former Vice President Walter Mondale, has passed away. In the past few months, it became apparent that Mondale

VIENNA, September 19, 2011 (AFP) - International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) talks open in Vienna Monday focusing on a new nuclear security plan following the disaster at Japan's Fukushima plant and amid fears over Iran's nuclear ambitions.

Pakistan spread nuclear weapon technology around the globe in exchange for cash, political influence and help with its own atomic bomb programme, suggest documents obtained by a United States news channel.

Foreign Minister of Turkey, Ahmet Davutoglu, provides, in an interview published Sunday in the United States that his country will form an alliance with Egypt renovated, creating a new axis of power in the Middle East.

BATON ROUGE -- A national survey of child-care costs shows Louisiana is one of the most affordable... - 7:09 pm

The under-15 years of age team U-16 team reached glorious achievements in the Asian region soccer tournaments. [...]

Calamity looms at the United Nations this week, as Palestinians plan a unilateral push for statehood -- despite desperate US efforts to get them to stand down. The outcome, of course, is far from certain. But odds are good that UN member nations may soon grant the Palestinians some form...

WASHINGTON, Sept. 18, 2011 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ -- On Monday, September 19, members of a delegation of American Christian and Muslim leaders will hold a news conference at Washington Dulles International Airport (IAD) on their return to the United States after meeting with Iranian...

WASHINGTON, Sept. 18, 2011 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ -- On Saturday, September, 17, 2011, a senior panel of former Secretaries, Generals, and Governors, as well as State and Justice Departments officials denounced the presence of the Iranian regime's President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad at the...

Sunday: President Obama's latest deficit plan will include higher taxes for millionaires; Also, Diplomats race to dissuade Palestine from seeking a bid for statehood Plus, a new technology that makes cancer cells glow.

Andrew Lister, son of deputy mayor and chief of staff Sir Edward Lister, was believed to have fallen ill in the room of his guesthouse on the holiday island of Koh Phangan. He had reportedly been ...

BANGKOK, September 19 (Itar-Tass) -- A criminal court in Bangkok on Monday will meet for a session to revise the extradition case of Russian businessman Viktor Bout who is currently on trial in the ...

KEDAH and the Malaysian Kabaddi Association will jointly organise the third Asian Junior Kabaddi championships at the Sekolah Menengah Vokasional in Sungai Petani from Sept 28 to Oct 1.

RIO DE JANEIRO—Tens of thousands marched at the world famous Copacabana beach on Sunday in a protest against the persecution of Afro-Brazilian religious groups amid growing Christian evangelical influence. Afro-Brazilian religious leaders were joined by Catholics, Muslims, Jews, Protestants, Buddhists and Baha’is, dressed in the traditional garb of their faiths,...

The big question is, which languages should you take? Here's my $0.02 on which to take, with ratings for each. I've taken lessons in French, Italian, Spanish, German, Swedish, Portuguese and Chinese, so those are based on firsthand experience.

Because you think redheads are people too, check out Sunday's end-of-day links: Alec Baldwin should probably stop tweeting, East Meadow is reopening, a balloon massacre, and a dog campaigns for Ron Paul. Don't forget to follow Gothamist on Twitter and like us on Facebook . You can also get the top...

The media circus generated by Iranian President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad’s annual visit to the U.N. General Assembly in New York is a source of great frustration for many Iranians, who wish Western journalists would ask tougher questions about Ahmadinejad’s domestic practices. The following questions are culled from Iranian democracy and...

THE national men's basketball team has met their target of winning one match at the Asian Championship in Wuhan, China and are poised for their best finish in 22 years.

Jessica Beinecke has became an iconic translator of American slang for pop-culture-hungry Chinese fans.

The man who brought us rock videos and “Beavis and Butt-Head” is advising a media group in Kabul that is shaking up television in Afghanistan.

Lexi Thompson entered the record books on Sunday — at age 16.

Women in the Middle East and North Africa face multiple barriers to employment, putting their job participation rates at 26 percent, or half the world’s average, a World Bank Development report released Monday said.

Would Nato have attacked Gadhafi if Libya had nukes?

Leaders from around the world are descending on the city for the U.N. General Assembly this week, and that could mean big traffic headaches for drivers.

on the occasion of Korea`s Independence Day on Aug. 15 this year, the West-Eastern Divan Orchestra led by conductor Daniel Barenboim performed Beethoven’s Ninth Symphony at Imjingak near the Demilitarized Zone. The Arab-Israeli youth orchestra was created in 1999 by the Jewish conductor and Palestinian scholar Edward Said, who wrote...

Dozens of Syrian opposition members called on President Bashar Assad Sunday to end his deadly six-month crackdown or face an escalation in peaceful protests...

CHINA’S CONFUCIUS Peace Prize, an alternative to the Nobel version so reviled in this country, is up for grabs again and this year Russian prime minister Vladimir Putin is in the running, as is, for a second time, Beijing’s controversial choice as the Panchen Lama.

QUESTION: The Palestinians said this morning that they are going to go to the Security Council regardless of whether you plan to veto it or not. They said this even before Dennis and David got to the meetings. I’m wondering what you think of that.

A bail-for-freedom deal for two Americans jailed as spies in Iran hit a snag yesterday when it transpired that a judge whose signature is needed on the bail papers was on holiday, the prisoners' lawyer said, dashing hopes for their immediate release.

The first International Conference on Islamic Awakening and popular revolutions in the Middle East and North Africa has concluded its work following two days of discussions in the Iranian capital of Tehran, Press TV reports.

Burroughs is the first Husker since Bill Scherr in 1985 to win a freestyle World Championship title and qualifies for the 2012 Olympic Games.

NARATHIWAT (AFP) - Malaysian tourists were among four killed and 110 wounded in multiple blasts in the insurgency-plagued Thai south, authorities said Saturday, amid concerns that foreigners were ...

New Delhi, Sept. 18: The human resource development ministry is planning to start 50 subject-specific interactive education channels that will telecast lectures by experts in an attempt to take higher education to more youths through air.

Iran: Female Blogger Receives 50 Lashes These are the words Iranian blogger Somayeh Tohidloo wrote in her blog, after receiving 50 whip lashes in Evin Prison: "Be happy, for if you wanted to humiliate me, I confess that I feel my entire body is suffering with degradation."

An exhibition of paintings and verses by Subrata Bhadra. Till September 21 at Academy of Fine Arts (New South-A); 3pm - 8pm: Paintings by Sandip Das. Till September 22 at Chemould Art Gallery, 12F Park Street, 22298641; 11am - 8pm: Awakenings — Recent works by Pulak Gogoi.

The two Americans jailed in Iran may be released on Tuesday as a sign of "Islamic mercy" after spending over two years in Iranian prison for allegedly spying for the United States. Shane Bauer and Josh . . .

The Australian Government recently announced that it will boycott a United Nations meeting against racism later this month, fearing it will be used as a forum for anti-Semitism.

SAS man McAleese became a national hero in 1980 after blasting open a window so his elite unit could storm the Iranian Embassy building in West London.

The defense lawyer for two Americans jailed in Iran moved ahead with bail arrangements on Saturday.

OCEANSIDE, Calif., Aug. 18, 2011- The California Surf Museum in Oceanside, Calif., has just opened its newest exhibit Hansen Surfboards A 50 Year Retrospective, which includes a vivid display of the legendary surf company, surfboards, past magazine covers, photos, clothing, advertisements, and images documenting the contribution Hansen has...

"Mr. Perry?s executive order was wrong. It violated family autonomy and personal responsibility. Mr. Perry has admitted it was a mistake, he has apologized for it and the order was eventually overturned by the Texas legislature. The HPV vaccination was not Watergate.

ISTANBUL, Turkey — American wrestler Jordan Burroughs won his first world championship title on Sunday, defeating Sedagh Saaeed Goudarzi of Iran 3-2, 4-1 in the 74-kilogram freestyle category. The NCAA champion from Nebraska had three takedowns to rally from a 2-1 deficit in the first period and fought off Goudarzi’s...

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"This Week" anchor Christiane Amanpour interviews former President Bill Clinton and Mideast envoy Tony Blair.

POINT PLEASANT — The borough's fire department quickly knocked down and contained an anomalous set of fires on Spruce Street Sunday caused by a downed power line. But take note of where the fires broke out: 2505 and 2506 Spruce St.

He says Israel stands above others as the “one true beacon of freedom and opportunity” in the region.  

WASHINGTON — The United States and Europe are racing to avert or delay a looming showdown over Palestinian statehood at the United Nations that may crush already dim Mideast peace prospects.

California Republicans just spent three days at their statewide convention blaming President Obama for the floundering economy. But a few blocks away from the marbled convention hotel floors, among the rows of small,...

The fictitious UBS trades to hide $2.3 billion in losses?? is cause to tote up the fatiguing number of fines paid on crimes by the Masters of the Universe. Only two years ago UBS paid $800 million in fines to the Justice Department for a multi-year illegal scheme to...

Architect Simi Razavian will discuss how to create energy-efficient homes at a presentation from 6 to 7:30 p.m. Sept. 20. at La Jolla Riford Library, 7555 Draper Ave.

After more than two years, two American hikers could soon be free to return home.

270 Iranian artists showcased their works during the festival along with more than 50 participants from other countries. The event included paintings, caricatures, drawings, sculptures, graphic designs, calligraphies, illustrations, pottery, ceramic and photographs created by young artists.

According to Iran football federation's website, at a meeting held in Rome on Friday, Iran and Italy reached an agreement to cooperate with each other in this field.

Iran's Parliament has summoned the Minister of Economy, Shamseddin Hosseiny, and Finance for questioning on the 3-billion-dollar fraud case involving the Central Bank. Iran's conservative elite has blamed the fraud on the "deviant current," which is how the establishment describes Mahmoud Ahmadinejad's allies.

Reza Yazdani won the gold medal in the FILA World Wrestling Championships in Istanbul. The Iranian 96kg freestyle wrestler beat Serhat Balci from Turkey and claimed the gold medal on Saturday.

President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad has said that improved trade relations between Tehran and Yerevan is in favor of regional security and peace. Ahmadinejad made the remarks during a meeting with Armenian Foreign Minister Eduard Nalbandian which was held in Tehran late on Saturday. -MNA

Iranian authorities have arrested three Kurdish student activists in the northwestern city of Sanandaj, the Kurdish Students Democratic Union reports.

The lawyer for two US hikers convicted of spying in Iran says their release could be delayed as the judge in the case was on vacation.

The Dubbo community is being called to action to halt an invasion by feral birds abhorred as “flying cane toads”.

When will China lead the world? Don't hold your breath.

Iran's Minister of Economic Affairs and Finance Shamseddin Hosseini says that chief suspect of the USD 2.8 billion-banking scam has been apprehended.

The speaker of the Iranian Majlis (parliament) Ali Larijani says all three branches of the government are determined to deal with the recent banking scam fraud case.

The University of Malaysia is slated to host an international conference on the Persian mystic and poet Mowlavi in the capital city of Kuala Lumpur.

Iranian Majlis Speaker Ali Larijani says the economic accomplishments of Iran in providing various opportunities to help resolve the problems of the Iraqi nation.

The attorney for Minnesota native Shane Bauer and his friend Josh Fattal says he can't complete paperwork on a $1 million bail deal because a judge who must sign the document is on vacation.

Iranian directors Dariush Mehrjoui and Mohammad Atebbai have been invited to judge at the 2011 Batumi International Art House Film Festival (BIAFF).

Nineteen people have so far been arrested in connection with the bank embezzlement totaling 28 trillion rials (2.63 billion dollars), the national prosecutor general announced on Sunday. National Prosecutor General Gholam Hossein Mohseni-Ejei has been assigned to investigate the embezzlement case.

In March 2010, a rare and unusual debate took place in the Senate of the Canadian Parliament.