News Archive - 16 May 2012

[Video] Nasaf Qarshi – Esteghlal Tehran Nasaf Qarshi 0 – 2 Esteghlal Tehran (ACL, Group A) 10′ [0-1] Goran Jerkovic Get the Flash Player to see this content. Download 50′ [0-2] Mojtaba Jabbari (P.K.) Get the Flash Player to see this content. Download...

>* U.S. oil stockbuild four times larger than forecast - API* Coming Up: U.S. EIA petroleum status report Weekly; 1430 GMT* Brent remains neutral above $110.34 -technicalsBy Jessica DonatiLONDON, May 16 (Reuters) - Oil prices slid with world shares and the euro on Wednesday as investors fled...

Two of the 7 Iranian engineers abducted in Syria arrived in Tehran's Imam Khomeini International Airport Thursday morning. Ahmad Sohrabi Kartabad and Majid Qanbari Bidromi were abducted on their way to Jondar power plant in the Syrian province of Homs on Tuesday morning December 20. The Two have been delivered...

IRI Ministerof Economy and Finance Sayyed Shamseddin Hosseini arrived in New York Thursday morning to attend a UN based economic forum aimed to to survey the world economy for 2012. The minister will elaborate inthe forum on the latest economic status of Iran as well as the Islamic Republic's achievements...

Greek political parties have agreed on forming a caretaker government to hold new parliamentary elections in June after previous polls failed to give any party an absolute majority earlier in May. After meeting with President Karolos Papoulias, party leaders on Wednesday agreed to appoint senior judge Panagiotis Pikrammenos as the...

IRI Judiciary Chief Ayatollah Sadeq Amoli Larijani on Wednesday castigated western states for their contradictory stance on the issue of Bahrain. According to the Public Relations Department of the Judiciary, Larijani made the remarks in a meeting with top judicial officials on Wednesday. Saudi Arabia started a very dangerous game...

IRI's First Vice-President Mohammad Reza Rahimi in a message on Wednesday extended congratulations to Dmitry Medvedev on his appointment as new Russian Prime Minister. Rahimi reiterated that Tehran and Moscow will witness growing relations during Medvedev's tenure. He expressed hope that senior officials of the two countries would exchange views...

A senior Iranian naval commander warned against "evil" deeds of certain countries in the Persian Gulf and the Strait of Hormuz, stressing the Islamic Republic fully and closely monitors all moves in the region. “The Islamic Republic of Iran carefully and completely scrutinizes bids by countries which are taking steps...

IRI's Intelligence Minister Heidar Moslehi says Tehran obtained vital clues regarding the serial assassinations of Iranian nuclear scientists. “In examining the cases on identification of the perpetrators of killing the country’s nuclear scientists, we have achieved good results, the news of which will be announced,” Moslehi said in the Iranian...

IRI's naval forces on Wednesday rescued a Panamaian-flagged cargo ship 'Cruiser Heilan with 25 crew on board from pirates in the Sea of Oman. According to the Public Relations Department of Iranían Navy, the Iranian warship “Behregan” was immediately sent to the scene of conflict upon receipt of SOS from...

Asian markets fell Wednesday and the euro fell to a new four-month low on news Greece will go to the polls again after talks to form a coalition failed, stoking fears it will exit the eurozone. The developments came as France's new pro-growth President Francois Hollande held his first talks...

Former Bosnian Serb army chief Ratko Mladic had as his goal the ethnic cleansing of Bosnia, a UN prosecutor told the opening of his war crimes trial on Wednesday. Mladic had "the criminal goal of ethnically cleansing Bosnia," Dermot Groome told the International Criminal tribunal for the former Yugoslavia sitting...

Better care has cut the number of women dying in pregnancy and childbirth by nearly half in the past two decades, but there is still a death every two minutes, according to UN figures released Wednesday. India and Nigeria between them accounted for one third of the 287,000 deaths of...

>NEW YORK (Reuters) - Occidental Petroleum was among the first major U.S. oil drillers to make a big bet on the resurgence of domestic production, spending billions to grab oil patches from Texas to North Dakota. Now, as it bemoans steep costs and moves its rigs out of the...

>VIENNA (Reuters) - Iran is installing more centrifuges in an underground plant but does not yet appear to be using them to expand higher-grade uranium enrichment that could take it closer to producing atom bomb material, Western diplomats say. They say Iran's production of uranium refined to a fissile concentration...

>By Roberta RamptonWASHINGTON May 16 (Reuters) - Senate Democratic Leader Harry Reid will ask the U.S. Senate to approve a new package of oil and economic sanctions on Thursday aimed at pressuring Iran to abandon its nuclear program, a Democratic leadership aide told Reuters.The politically popular sanctions are...

>UNITED NATIONS (Reuters) - Syria remains the top destination for Iranian arms shipments in violation of a U.N. Security Council ban on weapons exports by the Islamic Republic, according to a confidential report on Iran sanctions-busting seen by Reuters on Wednesday. Iran, like Russia, is one of Syria's few...

>* Japan PM likely to support move; new French leader not opposed* IEA saw no need for reserves two weeks ago; German view unclear* Oil prices, down 16 pct since March, unmoved by new talk (Adds quote in para 10, full White House quote)WASHINGTON/PARIS, May 16 (Reuters) - U.S.

>WASHINGTON (Reuters) - The bombmaker suspected of designing exotic weapons like underwear bombs for al Qaeda's Yemeni affiliate is a key target of U.S. counter-terrorism efforts, a top U.S. official said on Wednesday. Matthew Olsen, director of the National Counterterrorism Center, in his first public comments since a...

5/16/2012 - Alternative Fuels Mean Energy Independence, Say ACT Expo Speakers Suppliers of alternative fuels and the equipment that burns them must cooperate to move America toward energy self-sufficiency and economic growth, says retired U.S. Army Gen. Wesley Clark,...

In the BDSM world the phrase "topping from the bottom" means conditional submission: when the sub questions or disobeys the instructions of his or her dom. Subverting the submissive role defeats the whole purpose of a BDSM relationship; it is therefore frowned upon.

What only weeks ago was seen as a serious threat to the economic recovery could now turn into a stimulus everyone can love.

Syrian forces were accused of summarily executing 15 civilians, as members of a UN team of observers were evacuated from a shelled town the day after a bomb blast hit their convoy.

>SINGAPORE (Reuters) - Brent crude slipped to a near four-month low on Thursday as investors shunned riskier assets following turmoil in Greece and the euro zone while oil supply could rise as G8 countries may tap emergency reserves ahead of sanctions on Iran in July. Greece faces a possible exit...

SEOUL, South Korea (AP) — What the first round of the 2012 Asian Champions League lacked in quality, it made up for in unpredictability as three recent champions made early exits from the marquee continental club competition.

Syria remains the top destination for Iranian arms shipments in violation of a UN Security Council ban on weapons exports by the Islamic Republic, according to a confidential report on Iran sanctions-busting seen by Reuters on Wednesday.

Persepolis coach Mustafa Denizli believes his side can win the 2012 AFC Champions League following their 3-1 victory over Al Shabab on Tuesday which set up a Round of 16 clash with Saudi Arabian giants Al Ittihad.

Washington's emphasis on the Asia-Pacific region does not render NATO irrelevant but the change signals a new era in which European states will have to be ready to manage security problems in their neighborhood without expecting the American military to lead the way as in the past.

>TOKYO May 17 (Reuters) - Japan's Bank of Tokyo-Mitsubishi UFJ said on Thursday it has frozen transactions with Iranian banks after it was ordered to do so by the New York District Court in early May.The step is a consequence of a U.S. court decision in 2007 which...

For many veterans returning from war, the battle is far from over. We are but one of many organizations devoted to helping vets. As we are reminded on a much too frequent basis, the problems are huge.

The Government is trying to squeeze every drop of publicity out of its ``Zero Budget’’ ahead of its delivery next Thursday.

Gazprom, Russia ’s biggest company and the world’s largest natural gas producer, retreated 1.5 percent yesterday to trade at a 1.3 percent discount, while oil producer Lukoil fell 2.3 percent to trade 0.4 percent lower than the Moscow shares.

A federal judge has sentenced a businessman to 13 months in prison following his guilty plea in a scheme to illegally export computer parts to Iran.

FRENCH PRESIDENT François Hollande will make his first foray into global diplomacy tomorrow when he meets US president Barack Obama before joining up with world leaders for G8 and Nato summits.

Manny Pacquiao says he loves and supports gays and lesbians, even though he does not approve of gay marriage.

A top negotiator in Greece's huge debt writedown deal has been appointed the country's caretaker finance minister.

By Chris Kahn, The Associated Press NEW YORK, N.Y. - The price of oil continues to decline on the expectation that world markets will be flush with extra supplies this year. Benchmark U.S. crude on Wednesday ...

Russia is back, at least in the minds of U.S. national security leaders.

NEW YORK (AP) - What only weeks ago was seen as a serious threat to the economic recovery could now turn into a stimulus everyone can love. Oil and gasoline prices are sinking, giving relief to businesses and consumers who a few weeks ago seemed about to face the highest...

AusCERT warned of global cyber arms race.

An Iranian Revolutionary Guards commander reportedly ordered Hezbollah not to attack Israel.

Israeli Defense Minister Ehud Barak will meet with his U.S. counterpart, Leon Panetta, in Washington amid reports that Iran may have achieved the capability to build a nuclear bomb. Click here for the rest of the article...

With the school year winding down, there’s one lesser-heard story from Texas A&M-SA’s “tower fight” that still deserves an airing. And it hinges on the experience of adjunct criminology professor Sissy Bradford, who challenged the constitutionality of placing crosses on the Tower of Hope at the entrance to Texas A&M-SA.

Sisters to unveil a ROM-commissioned painting called Sikhs in Canada

>PARIS May 16 (Reuters) - Socialist heavyweight Laurent Fabius, named as foreign minister on Wednesday, shares President Francois Hollande's vision of making French diplomacy more independent of the United States while holding to a firm line on Iran and Syria. Fabius, 65, is the oldest and most experienced minister in...

>VIENNA (Reuters) - The U.N. nuclear watchdog and Iran may be narrowing their differences on how to tackle concerns over Tehran's atomic ambitions, diplomatic sources said on Wednesday, suggesting a previously unexpected agreement was now not ruled out. They spoke a day after the U.N. agency said there...

JERUSALEM: Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu is to lead an Israeli delegation to Prague on Thursday for meetings with Czech officials to sign a joint declaration, the premier's office said.

One by one — with the exception of holdout Ron Paul — the GOP also-rans have coughed up endorsements of their onetime rival.

Is the Arab Spring over? It’s a question on the minds of many observers of Middle East politics. Back in 2011, in Bahrain, Syria and Egypt, television stations broadcast scenes of defiant democracy movements and socially mobilized youth taking to the streets, in most cases peacefully demanding the removal of...

Two Turkish journalists who were in Syrian detention are reportedly on their way home.

The Mercedes-Benz G Class—also called the Gelandewagen or G-Wagen)—is a tall, boxy sport-utility vehicle. It’s truly unique in today’s market, with only the Jeep Wrangler and Toyota FJ Cruiser lending the same off-road-centric, retro feel. Those who want the same kind of feel would have to otherwise consider an older...

The Pakistan government has directed officials to finalise an agreement "as soon as possible" with the US to end a nearly six-month blockade of NATO supply routes to Afghanistan, Information Minister Qamar Zaman Kaira said on Wednesday.

NEW DELHI: A week after the US Secretary of State, Hillary Clinton, urged New Delhi to reduce its engagement with Tehran, India said it would cut Iranian oil imports by 11 per cent in the coming year.

Frankfurt (dpa) - Frankfurt Stock Exchange closing prices in euros on Wednesday at 1555 GMT. In brackets the index/price movement against previous quotation:DAX 6,384.26 (- 16.80) MDAX 10,331.43 (- 1.33)Adidas 61.07 (- 0.02) Allianz 76.29 (- 0.30) BASF 57.34 (+ 0.

AMMAN (Reuters) - Syrian President Bashar al-Assad said on Wednesday that countries trying to "sow chaos" in Syria could be infected with it themselves, an apparent warning to Arab Gulf nations that back the insurgency aimed at forcing him from power. Assad's remarks, to a Russian TV channel, came after...

>LONDON (Reuters) - Oil industry executives and bankers are assuming oil prices will stay above $100 a barrel in the year ahead, despite mounting economic worries, as any fall below that level would trigger a cut in Saudi Arabia's output and force closures at high-cost projects around the world. A...

IRI's deputy science, research and technology minister for international affairs underlined development of Tehran-Tunis scientific and academic cooperation. In a meeting with the new ambassador of Tunisia to Iran, Arsalan Qorbani congratulated the successful holding of parliamentary elections in the country. Referring to the crucial role of people in determining...

Washington, D.C. -- Last week in Washington's venerable Willard Hotel, Gov. Bobby Jindal of Louisiana and former Governor Hailey Barbour of Mississippi drew comparisons between their states and the Republic of Azerbaijan. They were part of a buoyant celebration of Azerbaijan's 20-year relationship with the United States. Their...

Widely seen as the biggest threat to Middle East stability, the Israeli entity's illegal nuclear weapons stockpile has been hands-off by the IAEA and UNSC.

Many American senators and congressmen “keep quiet” and refrain from criticizing Israeli policies because they “live in fear” and are “intimidated” by pro-Israeli groups such as the Emergency Committee for Israel (ECI), according to J Street founder and President Jeremy Ben-Ami. Click here for the rest of the article...

Iran raised its voice on Wednesday against a proposed union between Saudi Arabia and Bahrain, calling on Iranians to rally against what Tehran sees as an attempt by Riyadh to "annex" a territory formerly belonged to Iran. The Coordination Council of Islamic Dawa (propaganda), a body belongs to the Iranian...

COLOGNE, Germany, May 16 (UPI) -- An Iranian rapper who lives in Europe said he was forced into hiding after a religious leader declared his songs crimes and offered money for his execution.

ABU DHABI [MENL] -- A Bahraini man has appealed his conviction of espionage against the U.S. Navy. The 47-year-old defendant, who was not named, has sought to overturn his conviction on charges of relaying to Iran classified information on Bahrain's military, Interior Ministry and the U.S. Navy's Fifth...

According to the Indian Press Information Bureau, the following information was given May 16, 2012, by the Indian Minister of Defence, Shri AK Antony, and Minister of State for Defence, Shri MM...

IRAN’S exports on crude tankers could fall another 500,000 barrels per day when the EU embargo takes effect in July, Barclays has predicted. ...

WASHINGTON [MENL] -- Iran's leading opposition group has sought removal from the State Department list of terrorist organizations. The People's Mojahedin Organization of Iran has petitioned a U.S. Court of Appeals to order the group's removal from the State Department's terror list.

TEHRAN, May 16 (Bernama) - Iranian President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad in a telephone conversation with Indian Prime Minister Manmohan Singh on Monday, stressed the expansion of cooperation in all fields, saying that Tehran sets no limits for broadening ties with New Delhi, Iran's Mehr News Agency (MNA) reported.

NICOSIA [MENL] -- Iran has reported the development of a defense maintenance, repair and overhaul industry. Copyrights 2008, Middle East Newsline. All rights reserved.

Australia's men's volleyball team have one shot left to make the Olympics at a qualification event in Tokyo.

BEIJING (Reuters) - China has been quietly and gently pressuring North Korea to scrap plans for a third nuclear test, said two sources with knowledge of closed-door discussions between the countries, but there is no indication how the North will react. Related Stories Mubarak's last premier polarises Egypt's voters Indonesia...

DUBAI: Bahrain has summoned Iran’s charge d’affaires to protest at what it called “gross violation of its sovereignty” in a new diplomatic row after Tehran criticized efforts by Gulf Arab states to forge closer political and military union.

Thousands of journalists and movie executives are in Riviera resort for 12 hectic days of screenings and dealmaking.

An Iranian kick-boxer was hanged for the assassination of a Tehran nuclear scientist after WikiLeaks published a confidential U.S. Embassy cable, it has been claimed.

This week the Seaway pipeline will start sending oil from Cushing, Okla., to the Texas Gulf Coast. How will that impact the price of oil?

New Delhi: Government disclosed in Parliament that India's crude import target from Iran has been reduced by 11 per cent this financial year to 15.5 million tonnes, a statement that comes against the backdrop of U.S. pressure on the issue.

New Delhi: Energy-deficient India made a strong pitch for export of Shale Gas in liquified form from the United States which has been pressurising it to reduce import of oil from sanction-hit Iran.

TEHRAN, Iran—The negotiating stance from Iranian officials never varies: The Islamic Republic will not give up its capabilities to make nuclear

War Horse author Michael Morpurgo and journalist John Pilger are among the guests at this year's London Literature Festival.

An Emirati official says sanctions slapped against Iran over its nuclear energy program have had adverse effects on Dubai's economy.

Bandar Seri Begawan - By Command of His Majesty the Sultan and Yang Di-Pertuan of Brunei Darussalam, the Prime Minister's Office yesterday announced that His Majesty has consented to the transfer of several Permanent Secretaries and the appointment of a Permanent Secretary and Deputy Permanent Secretary.