News Archive - 29 December 2011

>The foreign ministry's terse, one sentence public response to Tehran's threats over the world's most important oil route reflects China's sensitivities about its close business links with Iran."China hopes that peace and stability can be maintained in the strait," ministry spokesman Hong Lei told a briefing in answer to...

>* Australia's index heads for first back-to-back loss in 30 years* Euro may end year on sour note, more weakness seen in 2012 (Updates prices throughout, adds asset performance graphic)By Ramya VenugopalSINGAPORE, Dec 30 (Reuters) - Asian stocks were poised to end their first losing year in three on Friday,...

>* MSCI-ex-Japan down 18 pct on year* Australia's index heads for first back-to-back loss in 30 years* Euro clings to overnight gains, U.S. data helpsBy Ramya VenugopalSINGAPORE, Dec 30 (Reuters) - Asian stocks nudged higher and the euro clung to overnight gains on Friday, the last trading day of...

SINGAPORE, Dec 30 (Reuters) - Singapore shares mayopen higher on Friday after Wall Street rallied on the back ofpositive U.S. economic data, but the result of an Italian bondauction underscored ongoing investor concerns about the eurozone's debt woes. Investors demanded a yield of nearly 7 percent on 10-yearpaper at...

>ARBIL, Iraq (Reuters) - Iraqi Kurds, at odds with Prime Minister Nuri al-Maliki over oil and power, have thrown down another challenge to the Shi'ite-led central government by giving refuge to Iraq's Sunni Muslim vice-president, despite a Baghdad warrant for his arrest. The Kurds, whose kingmaking role in Iraqi electoral...

>White House spokesman Josh Earnest said the government to government deal included production of 84 new aircraft and upgrades to 70 existing aircraft as well as munitions, spare parts, training, maintenance and logistics."This agreement reinforces the strong and enduring relationship between the United States and Saudi Arabia, and demonstrates...

>Italian oil and gas group Eni has previously said it will not make any new investments in Iran and only intends to complete activities already under way.Iran has been paying back Eni for decade-old deals in the country with oil for years but Eni CEO Paolo Scaroni has said...

>(Reuters) - The Stuxnet virus that last year damaged Iran's nuclear program was likely one of at least five cyber weapons developed on a single platform whose roots trace back to 2007, according to new research from Russian computer security firm Kaspersky Lab. Security experts widely believe that the United...

>* MSCI ex-Japan, Nikkei drop 0.3 pct* Crude falls after six days of gains, gold at 3-mo lowBy Patrick GrahamLONDON, Dec 29 (Reuters) - The euro hit a ten-year trough against the yen and its lowest since the start of 2011 against the dollar ahead of a bond sale...

>TEHRAN/DUBAI (Reuters) - The U.S. Fifth Fleet said on Wednesday it would not allow any disruption of traffic in the Strait of Hormuz, after Iran threatened to stop ships moving through the world's most important oil route. "Anyone who threatens to disrupt freedom of navigation in an international strait...

>SINGAPORE (Reuters) - Brent crude oil steadied above $107 a barrel on Thursday, as a stronger dollar and rising U.S. crude stocks offset Iranian threats to halt a vital oil trade route. Brent rose 14 cents to $107.70 a barrel by 0537 GMT after falling nearly $2 the...

>The Turkish military confirmed it had launched the strike after unmanned drones spotted suspected rebels of the Kurdistan Workers' Party (PKK), but said there were no civilians in the area and it was investigating the incident."We have 30 corpses, all of them are burned. The state knew that these...

A US aircraft carrier had entered a zone near the Strait of Hormuz being used by the Iranian navy for wargames, an Iranian official said Thursday amid rising tensions over the key oil transit channel.

Iran's vice president has warned that the country could block the Strait of Hormuz if sanctions are imposed on its exports of crude oil. What does the threat mean and what is likely to happen next?

The leader of Turkey's People's Voice Party has warned that any military intervention in Syria would lay the ground for a long-lasting war in the Middle East, Press TV reports.

Tehran, Dec 30 : Pakistan has reportedly decided to go ahead with negotiations on an energy deal with Iran to reduce gas shortage in the country despite the US’ objections over the deal.

Technical analysis for precious metals with major support, resistance levels and recommendations for 30-12-2011

The Iranian Navy has launched the seventh day of a major naval drill in the strategic Strait of Hormuz with naval forces performing special heliborne operations.

To the Editor: A group of older retired veterans (part of the 99 percent), get together over coffee each morning and talk about current events and the state of our nation. Over the past few mornings several topics have been hashed over and a consensus has been reached. The first item has been the...

Ron Paul's stance on Iran draws criticism from Michele Bachmann and the newly popular Rick Santorum, while other candidates take more oblique aim at each other. The Republicans jostling to break into the upper tier of presidential contenders clashed over Iran's nuclear ambitions and their credentials to be commander in...

To the Editor:  You must be a premium member to read the rest of this story. To become a member, please click here. read more

US official says UAE on board for first int'l sale of Lockheed's new missile interceptor

MOSCOW, December 30 (RIA Novosti) – The U.S. Army has unveiled a new helicopter-like surveillance drone, the Boeing A160T Hummingbird, equipped with a cutting-edge 1.8-gigapixel camera, the BBC reported on Friday.

NEW YORK (NewsCore) — Crude oil futures closed higher Thursday as concern about Iran's recent threat to disrupt shipments through a key shipping channel offset pressure from a pair of supply updates that showed U.S. inventories unexpectedly climbed...

As soon as Gov. Bob McDonnell announced his proposed two-year spending plan — a leaner, efficiency-focused budget that includes $882.6 million in cuts and savings — local governments across the commonwealth began sharpening their budget-trimming scissors.

CAIRO — Trying to close the Strait of Hormuz would bring down a powerful military response on Iran’s head from U.S. forces in the Gulf and turn Tehran’s few remaining international allies against it.

Iran's President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad says the Iranian nation will not back off from its path in the face of pressure from the Western countries.

Iran may have finally bitten off more than it can chew. If they are serious. And the U.S. stands firm, that is. This week, the Iranian government threatened to shut down the Strait of Hormuz if the European Union voted to impose sanctions on the country...

There is no home like my country of birth; there is none and may be no peace anywhere but only my country of birth when I need a place of peace for an asylum. No matter where I go I shall think Ghana and when I return I shall build...

Iran rejects US warning that it would 'not tolerate' closure by Tehran of vital oil route in row over nuclear sanctions.

Islamabad, Dec 30: Pakistan Foreign Office spokesperson Abdul Basit has said the country’s parliament is evaluating the US probe report on the deadly NATO November 26 airstrike that killed 24 Pakistani soldiers.

>A U.S. court froze the assets in 2008 after a group of victims sought the funds as partial payment for a $2.7 billion legal judgment made against Tehran for its alleged role in the 1983 Beirut bombing, the Journal said.The bomb attacks against U.S. and French...

Oil price above $100 on rising consumer confidence Associated Press Copyright 2011 Associated Press. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed. Updated 07:27 a.m., Tuesday, December 27, 2011 The price of oil rose above $100 a barrel in light holiday trading on growing...

Iran's threat to close the Strait of Hormuz to international shipping if the US and European Union press ahead with fresh sanctions against Tehran is being dismissed by western diplomats, who argue that such a move would end up further crippling the beleaguered Iranian economy.

DENISON, Iowa -- Newt Gingrich urged his audience to change history. And it's not surprising that, in the analysis of this part-time historian, the way to do that is to vote for him.

Washington, Dec 30: The US has rejected Pakistan President Asif Ali Zardari’s claim that it was propping up ‘tailor-made’ democracies in the Middle East, and added that democratic movements in the region were indigenous and their citizens were only demanding the rights denied to them by their rulers.

WASHINGTON - Huge excitement. Two Earth-size planets found orbiting a sun-like star less than a thousand light-years away.

If we could see into the future, how our lives would be different.

Kathryn Tanner hit one out of the park with 'Students have options besides college.' There are too many professors, counselors, parents and others who promote college as the only acceptable option for post-high-school education.

The US has strongly warned Iran against closing a Gulf waterway, after Iran threatened to choke off traffic through the Strait of Hormuz if the US imposes sanctions targeting the country's crude exports.

Mitt Romney says he would endorse Ron Paul for President. Pressed by CNN's Wolf Blitzer about Paul's extremist views on a nuclear Iran and the safety of Israel, Romney said he would ?vehemently oppose? many of Paul's initiatives but still endorse him.

HONOLULU -- Fortifying one of its key allies in the Persian Gulf, the Obama administration on Thursday announced a weapons deal with Saudi Arabia, saying it had agreed to sell F-15 fighter jets valued at nearly $30 billion to the Royal Saudi Air Force.

International donors, including the U.S., have helped refurbish a conservatory in Kabul, but some of the students say they still face disapproval from extremist elements, even at the university. read more

Global focus has shifted to the narrow yet strategic Strait of Hormuz as America and Iran recently engaged in verbal sparring over one of the world's key oil transit routes. The US navy has said any d .....

The oil market will end 2011 the same way it started, with fears of a major oil supply disruption in the Middle East and North Africa supporting prices.

Every day millions of Americans make a stop at the gas station to fill up their cars.

Just days before the Jan. 3 caucuses, presidential hopeful Mitt Romney is sticking to statements he’s made in support of domestic partnerships, says he won’t rule out military action against Iran if he’s elected president, and expresses his belief that for-profit universities help keep college costs down.

The Samurai Blue tactician also discussed his eventful year in Japan, including being in the country during the tragic March 11 disasters.

Chávez says America's giving world leaders cancer. Read more crazy quotes from Venezuela's president.

Anyone wondering if we still need a strong US Navy should consider the current commotion over the Strait of Hormuz. Iran has decided to raise the tension over its nuclear-weapons program by threatening to shut down that all-important waterway at the mouth of the Persian Gulf if Washington and its...

WASHINGTON -- Huge excitement. Two Earth-size planets found orbiting a sun-like star less than a thousand light-years away.

The Issue: Iran’s threat to block the Strait of Hormuz and the response from the US government. *** Iran is threatening to close the Strait of Hormuz in response to additional international sanctions imposed by nations afraid of the rogue regime’s nuclear- weapons program (“US Warns Iran Against Closing...

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GLOBAL focus has shifted to the narrow yet strategic Strait of Hormuz as America and Iran recently engaged in verbal sparring over one of the world’s key oil transit routes.

EVERY human being is connected with Allah spiritually. However, in this material world, we also get ourselves connected with other entities, such as parents, family, community, society, country, etc.

The Obama administration has signed with Saudi Arabia an agreement Congress approved in 2010 to sell Boeing F-15 fighters to the Gulf ally, according to a U.S. official.

THE low, subsidised prices of gas in Pakistan have encouraged the fuel’s wasteful use for far too long a time.

Streep has a harder time getting inside Thatcher’s head in this surprisingly bland biopic about the U.K.’s first and only female prime minister. Thatcher was a divisive, transformative figure in British politics, a woman who overcame gender and class bias to lead a conservative revolution.

Early February: The people of Kuwait go to the polls to elect a new Parliament; this will be the first experiment in 'managed democracy' in the Gulf, as local governments try to navigate between maintaining internal stability and allowing their people a greater say.

Last December, a Tunisian fruit-seller set himself on fire in protest against arbitrary justice in his country. The flame he lit sparked the "Arab Spring" uprising. As it spread, dictators fell in its path.

Summary: Set in contemporary Iran, A Separation is a compelling drama about the dissolution of a marriage. Simin wants to leave Iran with her husband Nader and daughter Termeh. Simin sues for divorce when Nader refuses to leave behind his Alzheimer-suffering father.

Canada laudably opposes anti-gay laws, but should do more to make repressive nations pay a price for their intolerance

For those tired of seeing gas prices dive below $3 a gallon before shooting up 20 or 30 cents, a University of Alabama professor who follows the petroleum markets has some bad news.Peter Clark, professor of chemical engineering at UA, predicts that an increased fuel demand in 2012 combined...

IRAN broadcast a video said to be of a United States aircraft carrier during Iran's ongoing navy drills near a strategic waterway in the Persian Gulf, the official IRNA news agency reported yesterday.

  AMES, Iowa -- Mitt Romney’s chances of winning Iowa could have as much to do with Ron Paul as with Romney himself. “No one will come back here in four years if Ron Paul wins,” said Craig Wearmouth, an undecided Republican from nearby Ogden. “We&rsq …

Ron Paul has snatched up Michele Bachmann s Iowa campaign manager, ahead of the first nominating contest.

Maybe a ?dog that didn?t bark? review will distinguish this from most of the others at the end of the year. Or, more precisely, a dog that didn?t need walking?developments that really surprised me.

BEIJING (Reuters) - Chinese Vice Foreign Minister Zhai Jun visited Iran for talks, the Chinese Foreign Ministry said, during growing tensions over Tehran's threat to choke off Middle Eastern oil shipments in retaliation against proposed Western sanctions.

Iran's Foreign Minister Ali Akbar Salehi and China's Deputy Foreign Minister Fu Yung have held talks on different international issues, stressing the need to develop bilateral ties.

Stateless while living in Canada, Ericka Gonzalez Carillo and Ramin Pirialamdari should have known better than to fall in love, get married and have a baby.

Of all the Republican candidates, he has spent the most time traveling the state, and now his efforts seem to be paying off. The media is showering attention and more voters seem to be swinging his way. For Rick Santorum, it was the paparazzi moment that looked like it would...

SINGAPORE, Dec 30 (Reuters) Brent crude is set to end the year up nearly 14 percent and at a record high annual average, as political tensions in OPEC member states help negate a global economic slowdown that has dampened oil demand growth.

This Iranian film may be as talky as anything by the French, but instead of dealing like them with romantic love and lust and the jealousies created thereby, writer-director Asghar Farhadi goes deeply into the broad questions of loyalty, justice, social class, religion, and nuances of behavior that make us...

The President of European Parliament’s Delegation for Relations with Iraq, Struan Stevenson, issued a press release today, welcoming the decison of Iranian resistance leader Maryam Rajavi to urge 400 resident of Camp Ashraf, 60 miles north of Baghdad to relocate to Camp Liberty, a former US base near Baghdad airport.

The images are now as familiar as they were inspiring: Chants of freedom, defiant marches toward gunfire, overwhelming frustration boiling over into steely courage to declare a people’s war on tyranny.

[I]n October 2010, I officially announced the Administration’s plan to sell to Saudi Arabia a significant defense package that would include advanced F-15 fighter aircraft and helicopters. [....] This sale is worth $29.4 billion.

Oil rose for a second day, heading for a third yearly increase, on speculation that escalating tension in the Middle East may disrupt supplies as a recovery in the U.S. economy bolsters demand.

(MCT) McClatchy-Tribune News Service

The intelligence operative sits in a leather club chair, laptop open, one floor below the Hilton Kuala Lumpur’s convention rooms, scanning the airwaves for spies.

MTV’s “NYE in NYC 2012” at 11 live from MTV’s Times Square studio, hosted by Demi Lovato and Tyler Posey of MTV’s “Teen Wolf.” Performers include Selena Gomez, J Cole, Jason Derulo and Mac Miller.

The bugbears remained in the market early in the European session after an underwhelming Italian long term debt auction following from yesterday’s more positive short term auction.

WASHINGTON (Reuters) - The United States has signed a $29.4 billion deal to sell 84 new F-15 fighter jets to Saudi Arabia in a long-expected move that the Obama administration said on Thursday would boost Gulf security amid mounting tension with Iran.

The year is almost over and once again a key downside risk for the economy is high gasoline prices. According to Bloomberg , Brent Crude is up to $108.10 per barrel, while WTI is up to $99.76. These prices have kept gasoline prices high, and pushed down vehicle...

It cost Tracey MacPherson a little more dough to make her car go, much to her dismay. "It's disgusting," said the St. Catharines resident as she gassed up in town Thursday evening.[...]

The sale coincides with rising tensions in the Middle East between Sunni Muslim Saudi Arabia and its Shia-dominated enemy Iran, which is believed to be developing nuclear weapons.

ORLANDO, FL - The expiration of the current tax credit will result in an increase of about four cents in the price of a gallon of E10 gasoline and about 40 cents in the price of a gallon of E85, according to AAA.

For a sense of how the Arab Spring could play out for the region's women, consider what happened in Iran after Khomeini's revolution in 1979. Before that extraordinary upheaval, the role of women in Iranian public life was growing rapidly; the hijab was not compulsory, and the large-scale participation of...

As political rallying cries go, "optimism can defeat despair" isn't exactly one to draw the crowds back to the Labour Party banner. But you can see how Ed Miliband came up with it in his New Year's message yesterday. Through 2011, the Opposition has watched as the Government's expenditure cuts...

Asian stocks edged higher on the last trading day of 2011, with the region’s benchmark index set for its first yearly drop since 2008, as rising U.S. home sales signaled the world’s largest economy is weathering Europe’s debt crisis.

With time running short, Republican presidential candidates Rick Santorum, Rick Perry and Newt Gingrich battled Thursday to win over a pivotal crop of undecided conservative voters. Of all the candidates, only Mitt Romney seemed to largely escape attack as he worked to win a state that long seemed out of...

WASHINGTON (AFP) - The United States said on Thursday that Iran has exhibited 'irrational behaviour' by threatening to close a major oil shipping lane it also needs.

The Associated Press The Associated Press With time running short, Republican presidential candidates Rick Santorum, Rick Perry and Newt Gingrich battled Thursday to win over a pivotal crop of undecided conservative voters. Of all the candidates, only Mitt Romney seemed to largely escape attack as he worked to win a...

Yankees hats are ubiquitous, even on the heads of young mourners at the funeral of North Korea's Kim Jong-il.

Oil rose for a second day in New York amid potential supply disruptions by Iran around the Strait of Hormuz and on signs that the economy of the U.S. is improving, spurring fuel demand.

WASHINGTON -- The White House on Thursday announced the sale of $29.4 billion in weapons equipment to the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia, a move the Obama administration said would support 50,000 US jobs in 44 states.

“A Separation,” a tightly structured, emotionally astute new film from Iran, begins with a couple, at odds and in distress, arguing in front of a judge.

On Sept. 22 in New York, the NATO-Russia Council met for the first time after ties were severed in the aftermath of the Russia-Georgia war of 2008. On the eve of the meeting, Ivo Daalder, U.S. ambassador to NATO, dropped a hint about future NATO membership for Russia.

Solid economic data lured buyers back into the market, with a 13 points rise on the S&P 500 pushing the benchmark index back into the blue for the year.

Israel and the U.S. are discussing "red lines" in Iran's nuclear program, that if crossed would justify a preemptive strike on its nuclear facilities, the Daily Beast website reported on Wednesday.