News Archive - 24 September 2011

Iran's president departs US for Sudan

Iran's President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad has wrapped up an official visit to New York for participation in the 66th session of the United Nations General Assembly, departing the US for the Sudanese capital of Khartoum.

Americans Released From Iran Expected In U.S.

The two men freed from an Iranian prison were believed to be on a flight heading to the United States on Sunday from Oman, the Gulf state that helped mediate their release after more than two years in custody on accusations of spying.

Iraq struggles to revive ailing date palm sector

After years of wars, sanctions and drought, farmer Qais Nima Khamis says it's time to save the dates — and bring back to Iraq's once-regaled fruit palm industry, which once led the world market.

Paintball now a sporting highlight

Kota Kinabalu: Paintball has indeed grown into a major sporting highlight in the country, says Andrew Koh the organising chairperson for the Pre-World Cup Asia Paintball tournament held at the Area 21 outdoor paintball field in Kg Nambazan, Penampang on Saturday.

Asian archery meet trial begins with big prize money

Kolkata, Sep 24 : About 60 archers are in contention for eight places in compound section and four places in recurve event as the four-day trial that got underway at the at the SAI, Eastern Centre, here today.

The Big Story

Beware! Texting while walking could put your life at risk Mumbai Indians beat CSK in T20 Chennai: Mumbai Indians' players exhult after winning the Champions league T20 match against Chennai Super Kings at MAC Stadium.

In brief

Two Americans freed from an Iranian prison told reporters Saturday they were “eager to go home” just before boarding their flight to the U.S. from Oman, the Gulf state that helped mediate their release after more than two years in custody on accusations of spying.

Iran boss bites dental biz

Iranian President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad is even bad for your teeth. He had more than a dozen security guards and many more NYPD officers guarding the...

Ahmadinejad urges change in US policies

Iran's President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad has called on US leaders to consider major policy changes in their regional and international affairs.

Hikers’ families: ‘Today can only be described as the best day of our lives’

Two American hikers detained in Iran for over two years on espionage charges were released Wednesday after a $1 million bail-for-freedom deal, their lawyer said, and flown to the Gulf state of Oman to meet their families, the Associated Press reported.

Iran, Turkey discuss MENA developments

Iranian President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad and Turkish Prime Minister Recep Tayyip Erdogan have discussed latest developments in the Middle East and North Africa.

Protests erupt as Bahrain goes to the polls

Elections were to fill seats vacated by Shi’ite lawmakers during uprising

Herald News: Theater over substance at the U.N.

THE END of summer and the arrival of the world's heads of state at the United Nations is an annual ritual. This year, it is also a metaphor: The promises of an "Arab spring" are fading with the shortened days of approaching winter.

Assessing the future for Bath Iron Works

The shipyard has long navigated Pentagon spending tempests, but the current budget-cutting fervor heightens uncertainty about how much work the Navy can provide.

Mideast’s new political face

The world is fully aware that it’s witnessing an escalating crisis between Israel and its leading Islamic friends, Egypt and Turkey. Prelude to the UN vote on recognition of the state of Palestine has brought it to a boil promising unpredictable consequences.

Gilas fights Jordan in semis

SMART Gilas-Pilipinas withstood a whirlwind uprising by Chinese Taipei in the fourth quarter to pull off a 95-78 win Friday and advance to the semifinals for the first time in 24 years in the FIBA-Asia Championship in Wuhan, China.

Still in demand

Analysts say looming Pentagon budget cuts raise questions about future Navy funding for new warships such as those built by Bath Iron Works.

Mohammed shows face at the Met

The Met is no longer non-prophet. After at least an eight-year absence, images of Mohammed will return to the Metropolitan Museum of Art as the renovated Islamic galleries reopen in November. The controversial depictions have not been seen in years, and there was some doubt about whether they would resurface...

Rent-a-pal dinner for A’jad

Iran’s wacky leader has to buy his friends. President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad, known for changing his clothes only once a week, offered $1,500 to guests to dine with him at the Warwick hotel Tuesday night, sources said. And he’s done so for years during his annual trips to...

14 killed as Filipino troops clash with militants

MANILA, Philippines (AP) -- Suspected Muslim militants attacked government troops guarding a school construction site in a rebel stronghold in the southern Philippines on Sunday, igniting a clash that killed 12 gunmen and two soldiers, a marine commander said. About 50 gunmen attacked a marine detachment in...

'Argo' pokes hole in Cdn. myth

Turns out one of our most cherished self-congratulatory myths may not have unfolded exactly as told.

VIDEO: Jailed US hiker 'spies' return home

Two American tourists who spent two years in an Iranian jail on spying charges are travelling back to the United States after being released last week.

The United Nations : Kick it to the curb

Hey, everybody, just in case you missed it -- the month soon to close featured a really important day at the United Nations . Nooooo, we're not talking about that big debate over Palestinian statehood, the one in which the Palestinian Authority produced a nifty website map in which -- can...

Satellite falls

NASA's dead 6-ton satellite plunged to Earth early Saturday, but more than eight hours later, U.S. space officials didn't know just where it hit. They thought the fiery fall was largely over water and the debris probably hurt no one.

LITERARY EVENTS

Allentown Public Library, 12th and Hamilton streets, Allentown, 610-820-2400: Book Group Meeting, "Reading Lolita in Tehran" by Azar Nafisi, 6 p.m. Tuesday.

Iran b-ballers down Taiwan at FIBA Asia

The Iranian basketball squad has defeated Taiwan 98-66 in the 2011 FIBA Asia Championship, which is currently underway in China.

Classic YouTube | Silent Swedes, golf girls and the most scary onboard motorbike footage ever

This week's round-up also features Rugby World Cup magic, the happiest football team in the world and much more 1) AIK and Djurgardens held a silent protest for the first 10 minutes of their derby this week in order to make a point about the importance of the fans in...

Video: Wild markets and the economic recovery

Russ Mitchell speaks with Jill Schlesinger, editor-at-large for CBSMoneyWatch.com, about the wild patterns of the markets over the last few months and whether we're headed for another recession.

Putin eyes return to Russian presidency

MOSCOW — Vladimir Putin’s decision to reclaim the presidency next year sets up the possibility that he could rule Russia until 2024 and foreshadows a continuation of the strongman rule that many in the West have called a retreat from democracy.

Iraq turning into a peaceful democratic state

New York, Sept 24 : Iraq is striving to build a democratic State anchored in peace and the rule of law, with all communities living in harmony, irrespective of their sectarian, ethnic or factional affiliation, the country’s President, Jalal Talabani, told the General Assembly.

India, Pak yet to ratify nuke ban treaty: UN

New York, Sep 24 : UN Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon on Friday urged all remaining States to seize the moment and sign and ratify the global treaty banning nuclear tests, with the aim of bringing it into force by 2012.

5 Turkish soldiers killed in PKK attack

Five Turkish soldiers have been killed and several others injured in an attack by Kurdistan Workers' Party (PKK) terrorists in the country's southeast.

Time for Ex-Boxers to be Judges? | BoxingInsider.com - Boxing | Boxing News

Controversial decisions in boxing have been around since the origins of the sport. And lately we’ve had our unfair share, including Augustus-Burton, Golota-Ruiz, Tarver-Johnson, Golota-Byrd and Navarro-Kawashima.

Negotiations will help solve Iran's nuclear issue: Ban

New York, Sept 24 : The dispute over the status of Iran’s nuclear programme can only be resolved “through a negotiated political solution that restores international confidence in the exclusively peaceful nature” of the programme, UN Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon stressed.

United States ready to welcome back convicted hikers

Two US hikers recently released by the Iranian government are expected back in the US on Sunday.

'Foreign meddling is root of insecurity'

Iranian President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad says foreign meddling in the Middle East is the root cause of insecurity in the region.

Amid Protests, Bahrain Votes With U.S. Blessing

It's election day in the Persian Gulf kingdom of Bahrain. Voters will be filling seats left vacant when the leading Shi'ite opposition party walked out of parliament to protest the crushing of unrest back in March. The opposition is calling for a boycott, and street protests have continued. But the...

Iranian leader Ahmadinejad set to visit Sudan

Iranian President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad will start on Sunday a two-day official visit to Sudan, the Sudanese Foreign Ministry said.

U.S. hikers freed by Iran board plane for home

Two Americans freed from an Iranian prison told reporters Saturday they were "eager to go home" just before boarding their flight to the U.S. from Oman, the gulf state that helped mediate their release after more than two years in custody on accusations of spying.

2 Freed Hikers Now Formally Engaged

Shane Bauer and Sarah Shourd, two of the three Americans hikers who had been held by Iran over the past two years, were formally engaged in Oman on Friday, an envoy of the sultan said.

Saudi threats a SLAPP in the face

It’s been a week since the Saudi fatwa against CTV became public and nothing has been done.

Fattal & Bauer Return to U.S. on Sunday

Two Americans released from an Iranian prison will return to U.S. soil Sunday after being held for more than two years as accused spies.  

US mulls Iran group 'terror' tag

Should the US lift its ban on Iranian MEK group?

Revealed: Tony Blair¿s intriguing friendship with one of the richest divorcees in Israel... and how Cherie was warned ...

The Israeli press has speculated openly about whether former Prime Minister Blair is having an affair with Ofra Strauss, 51, who divorced her second husband last year.

Week in review: Facebook Timeline gets mixed reviews

- "We wanted to design a place that feels like your home. Where you tell your story online is really personal. You invest a lot of time in it and you curate it. You link to it and you tell all your friends to find you there. So we wanted...

US: reset with Russia would continue under Putin

The White House says the Obama administration's "reset" of relations with Russia will continue if Vladimir Putin returns to the presidency. National Security Council spokesman Tommy Vietor said Saturday that "the reset has always been about national interests and not individual personalities."

Kurdish rebels kill four in Turkey

Kurdish rebels have killed four people, including two soldiers and two pro-government village guards.

Austin's source for local news

NEW YORK — Two Americans released from an Iranian prison will return to U.S. soil Sunday after being held for more than two years as accused spies.

Putin set to return as president

Vladimir Putin's decision to reclaim the presidency next year sets up the possibility that he could rule Russia until 2024

'The Double Steps' Wins Top Prize at San Sebastian Festival

edit@hollywoodreporter.com ( Pamela Rolfe) Frances McDormand, chair of the official jury, handed out the Golden Shell award for the movie, which marks a collaboration between director Isaki Lacuesta and Spanish artist Miguel Barcelo. read more

Rick Perry's 'I Love Lucy' Campaign Strategy

Among likely Republican voters Rick Perry seems to have a 28 to 20 % lead over the better qualified candidate Mitt Romney. It may be Karl Rove’s political genius that initially groomed the . . .

Man sentenced for kidnapping, sexually assaulting 8-year-old

A Spring Lake Park man was sentenced to 230 months - approximately 19 years - Friday for his role in a May 1 incident where prosecutors said he kidnapped and sexually assaulted an 8-year-old girl.

Hope the bear is missing in NE Minnesota

A black bear named Hope who was born in front of an Internet audience is missing in northeastern Minnesota.

BBC-BBG Joint Protest of Threats to the Independent Media in Iran

The U.S. Broadcasting Board of Governors (BBG ) and the British Broadcasting Corporation (BBC) take the opportunity of this UN General Assembly to protest an escalating campaign by the Iranian government to silence independent media in Iran.

American History Collage: Politics 1960-2011‏

Introduction If people like this collage, I will do other collages on subjects other than politics. I could do a crime history collage. I picked these people to try to show some . . .

Arab Spring tops agenda at Hague China summit

Britain will hold the latest round of key strategic talks with China on Monday, with the Arab Spring uprisings high on the agenda at the London meeting.

Freed hikers to return to US

NEW YORK: The two US hikers Iran recently released after holding in jail for more than two years are scheduled to arrive home on Sunday, a family spokeswoman told AFP.

Iranian Hypocrisy -- Ahmadinejad's Failed Attempt at Saving Face

COMMENTARY | For the few who aren't aware of it, President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad of Iran recently spoke at the United Nations and proved how much of a hypocrite he really is. Ahmadinejad claims to support the revolutions across the Middle East as a sign of the people finally rising up...

Supporters of Bahrain rulers rebuff vote boycott

MANAMA, Bahrain -- Rebuffing an election boycott by Shiite protest groups, supporters of the country's Sunni rulers voted in a special parliamentary election that is likely to reinforce divisions after seven months of unrest in the Gulf's main Arab Spring showdown.

Indians win day-night opener from Twins

Shelley Duncan drove in three runs to lead the Cleveland Indians over Minnesota 8-2 Saturday in the opener of a day-night doubleheader and send the Twins to their 17th loss in 19 games

Two Americans released from Iranian prison head home

The Associated Press The Associated Press MUSCAT, Oman Two Americans freed from an Iranian prison told reporters Saturday they were "eager to go home" just before boarding their flight to the U.S. from Oman, the Gulf state that helped mediate their release after more than two years in custody...

Govt in nation-building role

"Sri Lanka's dream is threatened by the terrible affliction which impedes development, undermines democracy and challenges fundamental freedoms. I refer to the bane of terrorism which confronts my country and many other countries of the world.

Hikers to return to America after 2 years in Iranian prison

Two Americans freed from an Iranian prison told reporters Saturday they were "eager to go home" just before boarding their flight to the U.S. from Oman, the Gulf state that helped mediate their release after more than two years in custody on accusations of spying.

U.S. men convicted in Iran as spies head home

The men are expected to arrive on Sunday OMAN -- Two U.S. citizens sentenced in Iran to eight years in jail for spying left for the United States on Saturday from Oman, where they had landed after being released by Iranian authorities.

News Categories

Ten years ago, Yemeni brave man spent his time helping people in 9/11 attacks on at the World Trade Center Tower in New York, the attack that change the entire world.

Germany: Pope calls for collaboration between Christians & Muslims

Yesterday morning the Holy Father met with representatives of the Muslim community in Germany at the apostolic nunciature in Berlin. Muslims in Germany number around 4.5 million; 70 percent of them are of Turkish of origin while others come from Arab countries, the Balkans and Iran. In his remarks...

International Community Will Not Bring Peace to Israel

COMMENTARY | The talk of the U.N. this week has been largely focused on the Palestinians' statehood bid, led by Mahmoud Abbas.

PM to visit Iran to mend bilateral ties

Prime Minister Manmohan Singh will visit Iran as part of his effort to repair bilateral ties which had come under strain.

Indian PM: World Economic Crisis Deepening

Manmohan Singh says 'shoots of recovery' that appeared after 2008 crisis 'have yet to blossom'

Iran secures Asian track & field medals

Iranian athletes have won a gold and a silver medal, respectively, in shot put and 100-meter obstacle race during the West Asian Athletics Championships for Juniors in Lebanon.

'Palestine to sue Israel when UN member'

The charge d'affaires of the Palestinian Embassy in Iran says if Palestine is recognized as a sovereign state at the UN, it will lodge a complaint with the UN against the Israeli regime for its war crimes.

Business : First A380 lands at King Khalid Int’l Airport

RIYADH — Riyadh’s King Khalid International Airport welcomed Emirates’ award-winning A380 last night, in celebration of Saudi Arabia’s 81st National Day.

Summer vacation photos 2011 in high-res

Why it was chosen: After a night of rain, the photographer ventured out about 5 a.m. as the downpour subsided. He also was carrying a tripod. For his efforts, he was rewarded with a shot that is pure poetry. The tiny splash of red on the boat and on...

On Air Now

NEW YORK (AP) - Two Americans released from an Iranian prison will return to U.S. soil Sunday after being held for more than two years as accused spies.

Officials: Freed hikers heading for U.S.

Josh Fattal and Shane Bauer, the two American hikers who were imprisoned in Iran, are flying back to the United States from the Middle East. Charlie D'Agata reports on their return to America and the end of a long ordeal.

Visit to Venezuela by Iran's Ahmadinejad postponed

CARACAS (Reuters) - Venezuela and Iran postponed a visit to Caracas on Saturday by Iranian President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad as his Venezuelan counterpart Hugo Chavez recovered from a fourth round of cancer treatment, officials said.

'US reaction validates Iran's 9/11 case'

An Iranian lawmaker says US reaction to President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad's remarks concerning the need for an impartial probe of the 9/11 attacks, strengthens the theory that the terror incident was fabricated.

"Reset" endures no matter who is Russia leader - US

WASHINGTON (Reuters) - The White House pledged on Saturday to press on with a "reset" of U.S.-Russia relations regardless of who becomes the next Russian president, saying it was not about "individual personalities" but national interests.

Dalton man indicted in mother's machete death

A 47-year-old man now faces a first-degree murder indictment for a machete attack on his mother in their western Minnesota home.

No leads in case of baby found in Mississippi

The Winona County Sheriff's Department has pursued more than 50 leads since a newborn's body was found in the Mississippi...

Standard & Poors downgrades Minn. credit rating

Minnesota can no longer tout a triple-A credit rating. The last major credit rating agency that gave Minnesota the top rating no longer includes the state among the least risky borrowers.

Iran's film body urges authorities to observe rights of filmmakers

Iran's House of Cinema is calling on authorities to observe the rights of filmmakers and other members of the film community that have been arrested in the past week.

Top Slot

New York, Sep 24 (IANS) Prime Minister Manmohan Singh has accepted in principle Iranian President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad's renewed invitation to visit Iran.

Photos: Sunflowers in Takestan, Iran

These beautiful photos by Amin Rahimi are from the sunflower farms in Takestan, Iran. Takestan is a city in and capital of Takestan County, Qazvin Province, Iran. At the 2006 census its population was 73,625, in 18,685 families.

Military and arms control experts call for dialogue with Iran

Mark Fitzpatrick, Director of the Nonproliferation and Disarmament Program at the International Institute for Strategic Studies in London, was joined by Admiral Joe Sestak and Greg Thielmann at an Arm Control Association (ACA) press conference emphasizing the need for direct dialogue with Iran to resolve the nuclear issue. -NIAC

Photos: Tehran hosts the 20th Persian handmade carpet exhibition

Tehran is hosting the 20th Persian handmade carpet exhibition. From elegant Persian rugs to stylish wall carpets; Over 450 Iranian handmade carpet producers have taken part in this week-long exhibition. -Abolfazl Salmanzadeh

Home - INDIA NEWS

New York, Sep 24 (IANS) Prime Minister Manmohan Singh has accepted in principle Iranian President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad's renewed invitation to visit Iran.

Breaking News

New York, Sep 24 (IANS) Prime Minister Manmohan Singh has accepted in principle Iranian President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad's renewed invitation to visit Iran.

Iran and Russia in Nuclear Power Talks

Iranian President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad says Tehran is holding talks with Russia about building another nuclear power plant in Iran. He made the statement at a news conference in New York City, where he also shared his utopian vision for all humanity.

'US threatened Iran for 9/11 probe offer'

Iran's President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad censures US moves to threaten Tehran for urging the establishment of an independent truth-finding commission to probe the 9/11 incidents, instead of welcoming the effort.

Iran Asks Russia to Build More Nuclear Plants: Ahmadinejad

Ahmadinejad said Iran and Russia are “neighbors” and that “neighbors must be friends with one another."

Time ticking for Assad in Syria, says Turkey’s Erdogan

WASHINGTON, Sept 25 — Syrian President Bashar al-Assad will be ousted “sooner or later” by his own people as the time of dictatorial rule fades around the world, Turkish Prime Minister Tayyip Erdogan said. Erdogan, in an interview on CNN’s “Fareed Zakaria GPS” to be aired today, maintained his stern...

Rabbani death shuts Afghan "door of stability" - colleague

Sept 24 (Reuters) - The killing of chief peace negotiator Burhanuddin Rabbani has robbed Afghanistan of the only figure with the range of international contacts to end the conflict there, an influential Arab colleague said on Saturday.

Herald on Sunday editorial: Eye for eye a mockery of justice

It would be foolish to think that the execution of Troy Davis in Georgia on Wednesday local time would be enough to prompt a change of heart in the US legal system regarding the death penalty.The tide of public opinion is slowly...

Taylor Lautner Dumps Phil Collins' Daughter

#gossiproundup Taylor Lautner and Lily Collins' fairytale romance has ended. Justin Bieber is renting out the Staples Center for a romantic surprise. Jennifer...

Iran: UNSC must act against injustice

Iran's President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad says the UN Security Council (UNSC) should become an authority that defends world nations against injustice and oppression.

Turkey’s strategic mistake

TEHRAN, Sept. 24 (MNA) -- Turkish officials’ latest decision to deploy a missile defense shield comprising an early warning radar system on their territory, which is in fact an effort made on behalf of NATO and the United States, is a major strategic mistake.

News where, when and how you want it

Spokeswoman for families says American hikers freed from Iran prison to arrive in US on Sunday