News Archive - 26 February 2012

>LOS ANGELES (Reuters) - "A Separation" won the Oscar for best foreign language film on Sunday, becoming the first Iranian movie to win the honor. Written and directed by Asghar Farhadi, the domestic drama focuses on a couple going through a divorce and touches on traditions, justice, and male-female relationships...

Syrian people were taking to polling stations in droves to vote Sunday evening in a referendum on a new constitution that would pave the way for multi-party parliamentary elections within three months. More than 14 million people over the age of 18 are eligible to vote at 13,835 polling stations...

Cairo started the trial of 16 Americans and 27 others charged with illegal use of foreign funds to foment unrest in the post-Mubarak Egypt. A total of 43 foreign and Egyptian activists, including the son of the US Transportation Secretary Ray LaHood, accused of receiving illegal funds and carrying out...

A Greek tanker returned home unloaded after Iran refrained from supplying crude oil to the crisis hit European state, according to Fars News Agency. Iran refrained from supplying the 500,000-barrel cargo to the Greek tanker which was due to deliver it to Hellenic Petroleum refinery. The development came days after...

Hurriyat Conference leader Syed Ali Shah Geelani, has strongly condemned the burning of Holy Quran by NATO soldiers in Afghanistan and subsequent firing on protesters in which dozens of Muslims were killed. "Anti-Islam forces are trying to trifle with the emotions of Muslims and provoke them to violence with a...

Anti-capitalism protesters in the United States, the 99-percenters, have once again taken to the streets in the port city of Oakland to protest against police crackdown on the protests. Despite massive police crackdowns on the demonstrators, the unemployed people and members of workers' unions attended the rallies to challenge the...

Iran's Bushehr nuclear power plant will join the national grid in its full capacity in upcoming months, ISNA quoted Head of Atomic Energy Organization of Iran (AEOI) as saying. “Nuclear electricity with the capacity of 1,000 megawatts will be connected to the national network” early in the next Iranian year...

A 72-year-old man from a remote valley in southwestern Nepal was preparing Sunday to be measured by Guinness World Records experts investigating his claim to be the shortest man ever recorded. Chandra Bahadur Dangi, who claims to stand just 56 centimetres (22 inches) tall, was in high spirits as he...

Deputy Secretary General of the United Nations and Executive Director of the UN Human Settlements Program (UN-HABITAT) met with thye IRI Foreign Minister Ali Akbar Salehi on Saturday. Salehi concerning the issue of housing security for all human beings said, “I am glad to declare that Iran has done effective...

Syrian voters who arrived at a polling station for a constitutional referendum on Sunday said the day was a national day as it helps put the country in the path of democracy. They told IRIB that they considered it a national duty to vote and that the new constitution will...

The Obama administration is weighing the circumstances under which it would have to tap its strategic oil reserve, Treasury Secretary Timothy Geithner said on Friday as he justified sanctions on I.R.Iran. "There is a case for the use of the reserve in some circumstances and we will continue...

* Index down 0.34 percent * UE E&C surges after posting strong earnings, highdividends SINGAPORE, Feb 27 (Reuters) - Singapore shares edgedslightly lower by midday, in line with several Asian bourses, asinvestors stayed cautious on concerns that persistently high oilprices could curtail the world's fragile economic growth. By 0500...

>* Euro at 3-month high vs dollar, dollar at 9-mth high vs yenBy Chikako MogiTOKYO, Feb 27 (Reuters) - The euro gained broadly on Monday as signs of fresh steps from the Group of 20 major economies to contain the euro zone debt crisis boosted sentiment, but higher oil prices...

>FUNDAMENTALS* Spot gold lost nearly half a percent to $1,772.19 an ounce by 0034 GMT, after posting a 3.3-percent gain last week.* U.S. gold edged down 0.1 percent to $1,774.* Brent crude oil hovered near a 10-month high above $125 a barrel on concerns...

>U.S. crude slipped 22 cents to $109.55 a barrel by 0012 GMT, while Brent declined 17 cents to $125.30.On Friday, U.S. crude settled at $109.77 a barrel, the highest close since May 3, and up a seventh straight session, the longest string of gains...

>In an article on foreign policy for publication on Monday, six days before a March 4 presidential election he is almost certain to win, Putin also warned Western and Arab nations against military intervention in Syria."I very much hope the United States and other countries ... do not try to...

>LONDON (Reuters) - A jump in energy prices is jamming the slow-turning cogs of an economic recovery in the West, but that may be nothing compared to the economic shock an Israeli attack on Iran would cause. Oil rose to a 10-month high above $125 a barrel Friday, prompting responses...

Iran's President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad met with Lebanon's visiting defense minister on Sunday, telling him that Beirut and Tehran should work toward unity to confront the west and Israel, the country's official news agency reported.

>WASHINGTON (Reuters) - The United States should do more to encourage Saudi Arabia to boost its oil production to make up for lost Iranian oil, Senator Charles Schumer said on Sunday, urging renewed diplomacy as a way to ease the run-up in oil prices. Tensions surrounding Iran's nuclear program have...

>Addressing his cabinet in public remarks, Netanyahu, who meets Obama on March 5, made no mention of steps Israel might seek or take to try to halt what it says is an Iranian drive to build nuclear weapons.Recent statements by Israeli officials that time is running out for sanctions...

>* U.S. does not call for release of strategic reserves* Japan eyes risk monetary policy could sharpen oil price spikeBy By Michael O'Boyle and Glenn SomervilleMEXICO CITY, Feb 26 (Reuters) - The world's leading economies said on Sunday they were "alert to the risks of higher oil prices" and...

>"There has been no change in Iran's oil shipment to Greece or any other country. No changes in our shipment schedule," said Pirouz Mousavi, managing director of Iranian Oil Terminals Co.The semi-official Fars news agency earlier said Iran had refused to give Greece a shipment of 500,000 barrels of...

>* Germany to consider stronger European firewall* G20 wants European action before giving IMF more funds* Oil price jump seen as threat to tentative global economyBy Dave Graham and Tetsushi KajimotoMEXICO CITY, Feb 26 (Reuters) - The world's leading economies worked on Sunday to line up a deal in April...

Crude oil futures rose to the highest level in nine months on Friday, fuelled by the continued standoff between Iran and the West.

Crude Steady Near $110 In Asian Session

(MENAFN - Saudi Press Agency) Mufti of the Republic of Lebanon Sheikh Mohammed Rashid Qabbani condemned Sunday the Israeli attacks on the Al-Aqsa mosque and its storming by Israeli settlers. In a ...

European Stocks May Fall On Oil Price Spike

The silent, black-and-white film "The Artist" took top honors at the Academy Awards on Sunday night, garnering five Oscars for best picture, best directing, best costume design, best original music score and best actor. Jean Dujardin, who spoke just t...

LOS ANGELES — Meryl Streep was named best actress at the 84th Academy Awards on Sunday. She won for her role playing former British Prime Minister Margaret Thatcher in “The Iron Lady.”

Jafar Panahi is a fifty-one-year-old Iranian film director with a restlessly intense manner and a sturdy, undefeatable sense of the absurd. A maker of nonpolitical films (“The White Balloon,” “The Circle”), Panahi has nevertheless been sentenced by the Iranian authorities to six years . . . (Subscription required.)

The Immigration Department says a 44-year-old detainee at Sydney's Villawood detention centre has died after being transferred to hospital.

Meryl Streep has won her third Academy Award, earning the best-actress prize as British Prime Minister Margaret Thatcher in “The Iron Lady.”

Meryl Streep accepts the Oscar for best actress in a leading role for “The Iron Lady” during the 84th Academy Awards on Sunday, Feb. 26, 2012, in the Hollywood section of Los Angeles.

Notable quotes from the 84th annual Academy Awards presented Sunday in Los Angeles:

>* Europe has lowered risks of 'catastrophe' -Geithner* Brent's upside limited to $126.53/bbl -technicals* Coming Up: U.S. build permits Dec; 0500 GMTBy Manash GoswamiSINGAPORE, Feb 27 (Reuters) - Brent crude edged lower on Monday and snapped five days of gains, but stayed near 10-month highs above $125 due...

A retired British businessman extradited to the United States for alleged arms dealing is to make his first appearance in court. Related Stories BP Deepwater Horizon trial delayed Oscar hopefuls tread the red carpet Gillard 'trounces Rudd in vote' Gillard trounces Rudd to stay as PM Freeman and Crystal kick...

Octavia Spencer cried as she accepted the best supporting actress Oscar for her portrayal of a Mississippi maid in the civil-rights-era movie "The Help."

In the Aarushi murder case, the Supreme Court will take up petition of the Talwars, who want the trial of their daughter's murder shifted from Ghaziabad to Delhi. Aarushi's parents, Rajesh and Nupur T... Related Stories Nair writes to PM's office, demands fresh probe into Antrix-Devas deal Diplomat attack: India...

The curtain rose on Hollywood's Oscars today with host Billy Crystal playing the crowd for laughs.

Indian Shares Seen Subdued

Union Coal Minister Sriprakash Jaiswal's deadline to reply to the Election Commission's notice ends today. Mr Jaiswal is likely to defend himself by saying that his statement has been presented out of... Related Stories Diplomat attack: India has 'considerable evidence' against Iran, says Israel 10th Godhra carnage anniversary today Aarushi...

Partial list of the 84th Annual Academy Award winners announced Sunday:

>* Billy Crystal kicks off the show with comic video, song* "The Artist," "A Separation," "Iron Lady," "Rango" all win* White gowns, bold colors, minimal jewelry on red carpetBy Bob TourtellotteLOS ANGELES, Feb 26 (Reuters) - "The Help" actress Octavia Spencer and "Beginners" veteran Christopher Plummer won the first two...

> Basic Materials Related Quotes and News Company Price Related News...

Follow the link to see our look at what’s happening this week.

Hillary Clinton says arming rebels in Syria could inadvertently lead to support for al-Qaeda and Hamas.

The Hong Kong stock market turned right back to the upside again on Friday, one session after it had ended the two-day winning streak in which it had gathered more than 120 points or 0.6 percent. The Hang Seng Index settled just above the 21,400-point plateau, and now investors...

None of the CCTV cameras showed the bike, said a senior police official

NEW YORK, Feb. 26, 2012 /PRNewswire/ -- DDB Worldwide has announced that Amir Kassaei, Chief Creative Officer, will be establishing DDB's global creative centre in Shanghai. A move reinforcing DDB's ongoing ...

NEW YORK (CNNMoney) — Paying at the pump grew even more painful Sunday, as gas prices climbed for the 19th...

> Related Quotes and News Company Price Related News...

>* Jan imports up from December's 317,000 bpd (Adds details)TOKYO Feb 27 (Reuters) - Japan's customs-cleared crude imports from Iran fell 12.2 percent in January from the same month a year ago, a much sharper decline than for overall imports, as Japan strives to avoid U.S. sanctions, Ministry...

The rupee managed to hold it's obtaining levels against dollar on the currency market during the week, ended on February 25. In the inter-bank dealings, the rupee managed to gain two paisa in relation to dollar for buying and selling at 90.84 and 90.86.

South Korea Stocks May Tick Lower On Monday

FEB 27 — Visiting Bangkok and then Sendai in Japan in the first months of this year, I witnessed recovery efforts made after these areas were hit, respectively, by flood and tsunami. Production in the Thai Navanakorn industrial estate restarted just weeks after the waters receded and have begun to...

DEPARTING Kuala Lumpur Badminton Association (KLBA) coach A. Sankar is leaving the city side on a high note.

The G-20 nations are conditioning additional money for the International Monetary Fund on the European Union first increasing its financial stabilization funds to ease concerns about the euro zone debt crisis, officials said Sunday.

>The national average cost for a gallon of regular gasoline rose to $3.69 on February 24, according to the nationwide survey of gasoline stations in the continental United States.The sting to drivers' pocketbooks follows a rise of almost 12 cents per gallon seen in the previous survey, which...

Stars began descending on the red carpet Sunday for Hollywood's biggest night, as two odes to film-making -- silent movie "The Artist" and Martin Scorsese's "Hugo" -- vie for glory at the Oscars.

Most commodity markets rose last week, boosted by Greece’s second eurozone bailout and extra liquidity from central banks, while oil hit nine-month highs on rising tensions over crude producer Iran.

Twenty Republican presidential debates later, the head-scratching claims kept coming.

Conventional wisdom has it that the United States invaded Iraq based on faulty intelligence that Iraq possessed weapons of mass destruction. Since Iraq had used such weapons before, it presumably had gotten rid of them prior to the invasion. What I don't recall hearing discussed is how easy it would...

Options traders are making the most bullish bets on Yandex NV since Russia’s top search engine first sold shares nine months ago on speculation rising online advertising growth will bolster company revenue.

Ijaz's liabilities come to over $4 million which means his net worth is fragile

The world's leading economies are working to line up a deal on a second global rescue package worth nearly US$2 trillion to stop the euro-zone sovereign debt crisis from spreading and putting at risk a tentative economic recovery.

>The official, speaking on condition of anonymity, said the discussions had been constructive and focused on consumers' and producers' plans for ensuring that higher oil prices did not derail the fragile global recovery.The official said there had been no talks among the Group of 20 finance ministers about releasing...

At least 31 Syrian civilians and soldiers were killed on Sunday (local time) in bloodshed that coincided with a vote on a new constitution that could keep President Bashar al-Assad in power until 2028.

LONDON [MENL] -- The International Atomic Energy Agency has raised the prospect that Iran transferred uranium to the military for weapons development.

The now-banned Iranian television channel, controversial though it was, was just part of a broad spectrum of satellite news that ranges from Russia Today to Fox Al-Jazeera as the Royal Television Society news channel of the year? Absolutely: distinctive coverage of the Middle East with its own distinctive voice and...

The Hamas leadership has left its longtime base in Syria because of the regime's crackdown on opponents there, the No. 2 in the Islamic militant movement said in an interview Sunday at his new home on the outskirts of Cairo.

World oil prices hit a new nine-month high on Friday as traders fretted about the impact of heightened geopolitical tensions in crude producer Iran on stretched global supplies.

Lawyer says his client is not a flight risk or a danger A retired British businessman extradited to America for alleged arms dealing will appear for the first time in a US court on Monday as he fights the threat of a 35-year jail sentence. Christopher Tappin, 65, who lost...

Some economic benefits – such as a strong currency – can go too far and cause problems of their own. But there is no danger of such excess in the current crop of financial indicators Many years ago a Treasury friend, Mike Mercer, and I coined a word with an...

At least 31 Syrian civilians and soldiers were killed on Sunday in bloodshed that coincided with a vote on a new constitution that could keep President Bashar al-Assad in power until 2028

A letter from Sen. Chuck Schumer to Secretary of State Hilary Clinton asks the U.S. to press the government of Saudi Arabia for oil production to compensate for Iranian attempts to embargo oil...

Stoke manager Tony Pulis made 11 changes from the side knocked out of the Europa League midweek by Valencia and got the desired result with Upson powerfully heading in his first goal for the club in the 24th minute off Matthew Etherington's corner.

TEHRAN, Feb. 26 (MNA) – Kyrgyz President Almazbek Atambayev has said that the U.S. air base located in the Kyrgyz Manas airport should not be used to launch an attack against the Islamic Republic of Iran.

In it two parts The Bomb - A Partial History takes us on a journey through 70 years of nuclear weapons research, debate and proliferation.

TEHRAN, Feb. 26 (MNA) – Iranian Foreign Minister Ali Akbar Salehi has said that Iran supports efforts to help accelerate the reform process in Syria and supports the legitimate demands of the Syrian people.

(AP) American forces are now manning a new radar defense site in Turkey that could help defend Europe from a potential Iranian ballistic missile attack, the U.S. Army's commander in Europe said Sunday.

Annual ceremony honoring last year's best films, actors, directors and producers viewed by hundreds of millions around the world

The Chief Executive Officer of Iran Khodro Co. (IKCO) says the company is planning to present a new product portfolio to achieve the highest level of quality.

A gas price surge is under way, with the Mid-Atlantic and other regions of the East Coast poised to take a direct hit.

Iran and Lebanon talked up their defence ties and warned Israel against any aggression, during a visit to Tehran on Sunday by Lebanese Defence Minister Fayez Ghosn.

A RALLY on Wall Street will be put to the test this week, with the SandP 500 at its highest level since before the collapse of Lehman Brothers in 2008. The broad index is up 8.6 per cent for the year, closing at 1,365 on Friday. The SandP 500's...

Global commodity prices buoyed last week driven by a combination of rising geopolitical concerns and steadily improving macroeconomic data transforming the sentiment across commodity markets, be it energy or metals and propelling prices higher.

BURSA Malaysia was stuck in profit-taking consolidation mode for a second week, as blue chips swung between gains and losses after Greece secured a second bailout package, and conflicting economic data coming out from China and the US suggesting a slowdown amid resilient US housing and jobs data. However, lower...

>TEHRAN (Reuters) - A picture of the Supreme Leader, Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, glares down from an enormous election banner onto a busy street in central Tehran, ahead of a crucial parliamentary vote in the Islamic state this week. Iran's first nationwide vote since the disputed re-election of President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad...

February 26, 2012: Police are more active in Babylon province, just south of Baghdad. The Sunni population down there has long provided cover for Sunni terror groups, and the government is calling on the Sunni residents of the province to help stop the Sunni terrorists, or else.

Mitt Romney has missed several golden opportunities to turn this campaign's religious fixation to his advantage. Given that polls show he faces prejudice among a sizable share of primary voters because of his Mormon faith, you would think Romney would be eager to try to redefine the role of faith...

Good morning, it’s Sunday February 26 and it’s going to warm up a little today. A crowd gathered at the Texas Capitol 124 years ago day. Do you know why?

JERUSALEM (AP) — Israel's prime minister says Iran's nuclear program will take center stage in his upcoming talks with U.S. and Canadian leaders. Benjamin Netanyahu is to meet with Canadian Prime Minister Stephen Harper in Ottawa on Friday and with President Barack Obama in Washington on Monday.

A BRITISH pensioner has spent his first day in US custody after being extradited to the States for alleged arms dealing.

The senior Israeli official told daily Ha'aretz that the Indians are "close to fully solving the case but they are not saying so publicly".