News Archive - 30 December 2011

>* Closing Strait of Hormuz would harm Iran's own economy* Tensions high between Iran and the West over nuclear work (Adds analyst, background)By Parisa HafeziTEHRAN, Dec 30 (Reuters) - Iran will fire long-range missiles during a naval drill in the Gulf on Saturday, a semi-official news agency reported, a show...

>The U.S. Defense Department said it was awarding Boeing a $3.48 billion, seven-year contract to develop, test, engineer and manufacture missile defense systems.A team led by Lockheed Martin Corp and Raytheon Co had vied with Boeing to expand and maintain the Ground-based Midcourse Defense, or GMD, hub...

>AMES, Iowa (Reuters) - Republican presidential candidate Rick Santorum criticized his main rivals in Iowa on Friday in hopes a last-minute wave of support will carry him to victory on Tuesday in the first U.S. election contest of 2012. Santorum, who has risen to third place in polls in...

>(Reuters) - As the year comes to a close, investors are finding themselves in a position they didn't expect: The U.S. economy looks to be growing more than most analysts anticipated. It is hard to say whether that growth will continue to accelerate next year. But signs that the...

>The clerical establishment has increased pressure on the pro-reform opposition ahead of the March 2 vote, the first nationwide poll since a 2009 disputed presidential vote that triggered prolonged and widespread anti-government protests.In the past days, some leading reformist figures have been sentenced to long-term jail sentences.Rafsanjani, who...

>LONDON (Reuters) - Out with the old year, in with the new and for investors uncertainty is likely to be the only certainty once more. The euro zone debt crisis is far from resolved, turmoil in the Arab world has shifted to Syria and Iran has threatened to stop the...

>Here are some facts about the constellation of ultra-conservative Islamists known as Salafis, who have challenged Hamas's rule in the isolated enclave.GROUPS* Jaysh al-Islam (the Army of Islam) is closely linked to Gaza's powerful Doghmush clan, which worked with Hamas to capture Israeli soldier Gilad Shalit in 2006 but...

> Financials...

As America begins to put its military pieces back together again after the end to a nine-year campaign in Iraq threats from Iran that it may close the Strait of Hormuz, the most vital corridor for oil tanker traffic in the world, the reality is that another conflict may be...

>SINGAPORE (Reuters) - Brent crude is set to end the year up nearly 14 percent from a year ago, supported by signs of an improving U.S. economy and Iran's threats to halt oil flow through a vital trade route. Brent rose 19 cents to $108.20 a barrel by...

WASHINGTON — The United States has reached a deal to sell $3.48 billion worth of missiles and related technology to the United Arab Emirates, a close Mideast ally, as part of a massive buildup of defense technology among friendly Mideast nations near Iran.

Iran has test-fired long-range missiles in the Gulf, reports say, at a time of increased tension over its nuclear programme.

Mark Levy • Herald/Review Jomar Alcala, center, a senior at Buena High School, works on his Boy Scout Troupe 445 Eagle Scout project with assistance from friends. By Adam Curtis Herald/Review SIERRA VISTA — It typically takes many years to ascend to the highest rank of the Boys Scouts of...

Russian foreign minister has criticized sanctions against Iran over its nuclear program, stressing that Moscow opposes any attempts to turn the situation into direct confrontation with Tehran.

Congress has known for a decade that the formula it set in 1997 for adjusting physician payments under Medicare — and by extension the fees paid to civilian doctors under TRICARE , the military’s health insurance program — is seriously flawed and can’t be allowed to take effect. But rather than replace...

Iranian Navy Commander Rear Admiral Habibollah Sayyari says the country's naval forces plan to develop their presence in international waters, Press TV reports.

TEHRAN — A total 5,283 people, among them 390 women, have registered as would-be candidates for Iran’s parliamentary elections scheduled for March 2, the interior ministry said on Saturday.

Commissioning of the LNG terminal in Kochi will make 2012 a landmark year for industry in Kerala and elsewhere in South India. R. RAMABHADRAN PILLAI gives a run-down on the project.

Iran's oil minister said crude prices will rise to more than $200 per barrel if foreign sanctions are imposed on the country's oil exports over its disputed nuclear work, the Aseman weekly reported on Saturday.

(MENAFN - Arab News) Saudi Arabia has boosted its defense capabilities with a $29.4 billion arms deal with the United States. The Kingdom confirmed on Friday that it has signed the deal to ...

Oil is the bad boyfriend of the international economy: we can't live with it, and we can't live without it

Reach tens of thousands of people instantly by advertising with Ekklesia. Find out more It is just over twelve months since the ‘Arab Spring’ took off in the Middle East and North Africa region (MENA), on 17 December 2010, in a spontaneous eruption of deep indignation but also of high...

(MENAFN - Arab News) Arab stock markets suffered extensively in 2011 mainly due to the Arab Spring uprisings, global recovery concerns and the euro zone sovereign debt crisis, financial analysts ...

Western media propaganda takes the passing of North of Korea’s President Kim Jong-Il as something that “threatens to trigger a heightened state of uncertainty in Asia.” As usual they continue to drumbeat anxiety about the fluidity of power by the successor-son Kim Jong-Un.

Iran plans to raise the stakes in its Persian Gulf showdown with President Obama by test-firing long-range missiles today during the finale of a huge naval drill. The show of force comes after Obama vowed to act militarily if Iran goes ahead with its threat to close the Strait of...

The deal with the United Arab Emirates, a close Mideast ally, includes 96 missiles, along with supporting technology and training intended to bolster the nation's missile defense capacity. The sales is part of a larger U.S. effort to realign its defense policies in the Persian Gulf to keep Iran...

KAROO, South Africa -- When a drought dried up their wells last year, hundreds of farmers and their families flocked to local fairgrounds here to pray for rain, and a call went out on the regional radio station imploring South Africans to donate bottled water.

Associated Press DES MOINES, Iowa Former House Speaker Newt Gingrich wept Friday as he recalled

While the United States deals with India as an Indian Ocean and Pacific Ocean power, it deals with Pakistan and countries to the West as part of Middle East, says Col Anil Athale.

KAROO, South Africa -- Covering much of the roughly 800 miles between Johannesburg and Cape Town, this arid expanse -- its name means "thirsty land" -- sees less rain in some parts than the Mojave Desert.

The difference in styles between the buttoned-down, nostalgic Romney, who rarely wanders off script except to ask data-driven questions, and the impetuous, expansive Gingrich, who seems all too happy to meander off his message to talk about books, recite dates and muse about history, has only intensified in the closing...

TEHRAN, Dec 30, 2011 (AFP) - A website belonging to Iran's former president Akbar Hashemi Rafsanjani, who has criticised the current regime, has been shut down, his brother told the ISNA news agency on Friday.

From writers to philanthropists, athletes to rescuers, our list of the region’s top 10 newsmakers for 2011 covers an eclectic group.

Every year brings changes, but some years really are turning points: 1492, 1789, 1914, and 1989, for example.

Back a few years ago when Barack Obama was running for the presidency, he met with a man, commonly referred to as Joe the Plumber. He told Joe the Plumber that we have to share and when we share it will be best for everyone. Many of us thought that...

Sisters smuggled appeal to Haughey

TEHRAN, Dec 31 (Bernama) -- Iran's navy chief Rear Admiral Habibollah Sayyari said Friday that it is not Iran's intention to close the Strait of Hormuz although it could readily close it, Xinhua news agency reported, citing the local satellite Press TV report.

ELKO — Gold prices ended 2011 Friday on a higher note, with the spot price on the New York Mercantile Exchange closing at $1,566.40 per ounce, up $20.90.

Cyber attacks will hit more critical infrastructure and even result in loss of life in 2012, an expert warns Mark Twomey

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The Daily Breeze selects its top ten local stories from 2011. | Top ten stories | Breeze photojournalists' best from 2011

WASHINGTON — The United States has reached a deal to sell $3.48 billion worth of missiles and related technology to the United Arab Emirates, a close Mideast ally, as part of a massive buildup of defense technology among friendly Mideast nations near Iran. Pentagon spokesman George Little announced the...

DES MOINES, Iowa — Former House Speaker Newt Gingrich wept Friday as he recalled his late mother’s end-of-life illnesses, a moment of poignancy in a notably negative Republican presidential Iowa caucus campaign with four unpredictable days yet to run. “I do policy much easier than I do personal,” Gingrich told...

Former House Speaker Newt Gingrich wept Friday as he recalled his late mother's end-of-life illnesses, a moment of poignancy in a notably negative Republican presidential Iowa caucus campaign with four unpredictable days yet to run.

As the Soviet flag was lowered from atop the Kremlin 20 years ago this month for the last time, it marked the first time in modern history that major powers ended their struggles without war.

TEHRAN, Dec. 30 (UPI) -- Navy scuba divers in Iran detected and neutralized mines on the seventh day of Iran's naval drills, a commander said.

The U.S. seeks a safe, secure, humane resolution of the impasse at Camp Ashraf. Our interest is humanitarian and independent of our views of the MEK’s past record. Thanks to intense efforts by Ambassador Martin Kobler, the head of the UN Mission ...

THE last week or so of 2011 bared rather starkly all that ails us and perhaps explained why despair seems to have made a permanent home in many of our hearts.

THEY say time speeds up as you grow older. Certainly, in 2011 this correspondent had the feeling of living life on perpetual fast-forward. For, 2011 was not only a year of hectic, rapid and unpredictable change, it also appears to have come and gone in a frantic rush.

Polls on Friday suggested large numbers of Republicans could change their minds before America’s first voting in the state-by-state nominating contest to challenge President Barack Obama in next year’s elections.

Center for Data Analysis Report - Both the Economic Freedom Project Reports and the Center for Data Analysis generate reports, giving researchers the raw data that drives Heritage's policy positions.

US navy says Iranian threat to block the strait of Hormuz will not be tolerated, pushing Brent crude price down to $108 a barrel Oil prices fell on Wednesday after the US navy said Iran's threat to block the strait of Hormuz, a key supply route for crude exports from...

WASHINGTON, Dec. 30- U.S. Under Secretary of State for Political Affairs Wendy Sherman will travel to Saudi Arabia and the United Arab Emirates (UAE) next week, the State Department announced in a statement on Friday.

LANCASTER - On Friday, more than 500 people paid their final respects to the six victims of a Christmas day shooting rampage. The memorial was held at the Cedar Canyon Dude Ranch, which was owned and operated by one of the families that was shot and killed. It was also...

(Reuters) - Boeing Co beat out Lockheed Martin to retain its position as the prime contractor for the U.S. long-range missile shield, the Pentagon said on Friday.

^Gingrich tears up when talking about his mother

1. Iran, Iraq, Kuwait, Saudi Arabia, and Venezuela were the founder members of which organisation?

LONDON - World oil prices traded mixed in light holiday deals on Friday, the end of a rollercoaster year for the market, and amid heightened tensions between the United States and major crude producer Iran.

The year has been a rollercoaster ride for the CIA -- incredible highs coupled with significant lows. But those dramatic ups and downs also underscored how intelligence is evolving and the agency is changing to keep pace.

Gold and corn end year higher, even after sell-off Associated Press Copyright 2011 Associated Press. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed. Updated 01:16 p.m., Friday, December 30, 2011 Even though prices have fallen, many traders think 2012 could offer another roller coaster...

These are the most likely scenarios, but as we have learned from experience, the unexpected is usual fare in this very volatile region.

DES MOINES, Iowa -- Former House Speaker Newt Gingrich wept Friday as he recalled his late mother's end-of-life illnesses, a moment of poignancy in a notably negative Republican presidential Iowa caucus campaign with four unpredictable days yet to run.

2011 is almost over, but don`t cry for me Houston!

Apparently, the Danish company RanTek helps the Iranian regime monitor people's internet activities. The company's Danish CEO denies that the equipment exported to Iran can be used for these purposes, but he is contradicted by several experts. They consider the use scenarios much grimmer

What kind of America do you want? Are you willing to do your share of in preserving the freedom and liberties of the individuals at home and abroad? The least you can do is to speak up.

Another element of the “go-to-war-with-Iran hysteria” is a “default judgment” by a U.S. court linking Iran to 9/11. However, Iran had no legal representation in the case, allowing dubious and bogus allegations to go unchallenged, as Gareth Porter noted in this article for Truthout.

The movies contending for the Oscar for best foreign-language film are increasingly international in scope, both in terms of language and subject matter.

Click here to download TV listings for the week of Jan. 1 - 7 in PDF format TV listings for the week of Jan. 1 - 7 in PDF format are also available at latimes.com/entertainment/news/tv Weekly TV Listings and more...

LeMars, Ia. - Ron Paul used his first campaign appearance of the day here to fight back against the claim that his foreign policy views are dangerous.

From a talky chameleon who's forced to find his swagger to a silent-screen idol who's losing his mojo, the heroes of 2011's best films made indelible impressions. NPR's Bob Mondello reviews the year's high points.

OIL FUTURES: Crude Settles Lower In Final Session Of Year

Stock markets around the world closed out 2011 on a positive note for the day but with double-digit declines for the year. On Wall Street, shares were little changed.

Meryl Streep says that while the role of Margaret Thatcher is unusual, the point of view of 'The Iron Lady' is not.

Gingrich tells ABC's Jon Karl he does not want to be negative on rivals, Obama.

Crude oil and gold were the only significant movers. 30 Dec 2011 2:56 PM

NEW YORK, Dec 30 (Reuters) - U.S. crude on theNew York Mercantile Exchange futures on Friday ended 2011up $7.45, or 8.2 percent, a third straight annual gain but off2010's 15 percent jump, as export-disrupting ...

CARACAS - Iranian president Mahmud Ahmadinejad will be visiting four Latin America countries in the second week of January to promote bilateral cooperation.

The past year in Israel has been anything but boring. The Palestinians were rejected for full-membership in the United Nations, Israeli Corporal Gilad Schalit was returned alive to Israel, Turkey downgraded its diplomatic relations with the Jewish state, the Israeli population took to the streets for social change , and ...

The US has finalized part of a 2010 arms sale to Saudi Arabia that sees 84 F15 fighter jets delivered plus upgrades to others, but what are the motives behind it?

Iran's ambassador to Iraq denies recent claims by Iraqi Vice President Tariq al-Hashemi that Tehran has played a part in an arrest warrant being issued for him for involvement in acts of terror.

The world in 2012 will provide many opportunities for India’s foreign policy. But a fractious polity could slow the country’s responses If 2011 was the Year of the Unexpected, 2012 will almost certainly be the Year of Uncertainty. 2011 had begun on an optimistic note for India.

(CNN) - New Hampshire's most influential newspaper took the knives out for Ron Paul Friday, calling the GOP hopeful "dangerous" and labeling his supporters the "lunatic fringe." Joseph McQuaid, publisher of the Union Leader, lamented that reporters more interested in chasing the latest political developments have largely ignored Paul's...

(Kitco News) - Precious metals prices could continue to see gains next week following a stout rally on the last trading day of 2011, but market watchers said the viability of any gains lasting beyond next week is doubtful. Prices fell on the week, but rose on Friday. The most-active...

As the deadline for Iranians to register their candidacy for the 9th Majlis elections expires, authorities say 5,200 hopefuls have signed up for the upcoming parliamentary vote, Press TV reports.

The average price of gasoline in the Upstate ticked up slightly overnight, according to AAA. The price at the pump for regular gasoline in the Greenville-Anderson-Spartanburg metro area averaged $3.044 today, up from $3.042 on Thursday.

Iranian forces perform special airborne operations during a 10-day naval exercise as Tehran prepares to test-fire long-range missiles during the drill.

Romney, sensing opening, makes big push in Iowa Associated Press Copyright 2011 Associated Press. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed. Updated 09:38 p.m., Wednesday, December 28, 2011 Sensing an opening to win next Tuesday's caucuses, an ever-more confident Romney is campaigning hard...

See where the Republican presidential candidates stand on the important issues of the day.

FRED LIEF AP Sports Writer Who knows what lurks in the night air? Sometimes just a flutter, and everything changes. Matt Holliday was out in left field one August night in St. Louis. He already had enough to handle — slashing line drives, the glare of the lights, the crowd.

A group of activists of the "Karabakh Liberation Organization" (CSO) held 30 December protest in front of the Embassy of France in Azerbaijan. The protesters condemned the National Assembly of France bill criminalizing Armenian genocide denial.

A Separation opens with a judge questioning Simin (Leila Hatami) over whether he should give her a divorce from Nader (Peyman Moaadi). Does her husband beat her excessively, cheat on her chronically? No, his only crime is refusing to raise their daughter abroad. That’s what she expects to fly.

In the wake of the U.S. military pullout from Iraq, a political crisis threatens to ignite a fresh sectarian conflict. Regional tension between Shi'ite powerhouse Iran and Sunni archrival Saudi Arabia also threatens to worsen the sectarian divide in the Middle East. -Edward Yeranian, VOA

The website of Iran's former President Akbar Hashemi Rafsanjani was filtered on December 29 for several hours, according to Iranian news websites, including "Tabnak." The website now seems to be completely down now. -Golnaz Esfandiari, REF

Iranian reformists groups have announced that they will not participate in the coming parliamentary elections because of the closed political atmosphere and the government's refusal to release political prisoners and allow for open political activity.

The United States Thursday announced a major aircraft sale to Saudi Arabia amid tensions in the Gulf over Iran's threat to close the Strait of Hormuz if nuclear sanctions against it are tightened. The State Department said the threat reflects recent "irrational" behavior by the Tehran government. -David Gollust, VOA

Foreign Minister Ali Akbar Salehi has said that Iran is ready to resume negotiations about its nuclear program with the 5+1 group (the United States, Britain, France, Russia, China, and Germany).

The N.J. Governor jokingly threatens Iowans to vote for Romney.