News Archive - 27 February 2013

Munich – FC Bayern Munich exacted revenge for two years of Borussia Dortmund dominance as Arjen Robben’s superb curling strike earned them a 1-0 win in Wednesday’s DFB Cup quarter-final at the Allianz Arena. It was a deserved victory for the record titleholders, who were the dominant side throughout and...

>* U.S. oil set to see first monthly drop in four* Caution ahead of looming deep U.S. spending cuts* Coming Up: US Q4 GDP; 1330 GMT (updates prices)By Luke PachymuthuSINGAPORE, Feb 28 (Reuters) - Brent crude steadied near $112 a barrel on Thursday, coming off a one-month low...

(Adds sanctions, other Asian buyers' cuts) TOKYO, Feb 28 (Reuters) - Japan's crude oil imports fromIran in January fell 29.5 percent from the same month a yearago, trade ministry data showed on Thursday, in line withreductions by other Asian buyers as Western sanctions on Tehrancut shipments. Japan, the world's...

>* Those close to power are best able to adapt* Scale of black economy a major worry in the regionLONDON, Feb 27 (Reuters) - Sanctions on Iran are so intricately woven that they will be very hard to untangle, while their impact in swelling Iran's black economy could undermine regional...

>"I believe it is incumbent upon the international community to intensify the sanctions and clarify that if Iran continues its program, there will be military sanctions," Netanyahu said.He did not, in a statement released by the prime minister's office, specify what military measures he envisages."I don't think there...

>* Big powers offered slight easing of sanctions* No substantive response from Iran as election looms* Israel has hinted at military action if diplomacy fails (Adds details of powers' proposal, Vienna briefing)By Justyna Pawlak and Fredrik DahlALMATY, Feb 27 (Reuters) - Iran was upbeat on Wednesday after talks with world...

The U.S. Senate has confirmed President Barack Obama's pick for defense secretary, Chuck Hagel, after a bruising nomination battle that saw widespread Republican opposition to the former Republican senator by a vote of 58 to 41. Hagel will lead the Pentagon as America's war in Afghanistan is winding down,...

>The report did not specify any dates for the two meetings but said the expert-level talks would take place "days before" the Almaty meeting. There were no further details.The two sides met in Almaty on Tuesday and Wednesday in an attempt to resolve international concerns over Iran's nuclear activities.

>Russian Deputy Foreign Minister Sergei Ryabkov was also quoted by Itar-tass news agency as confirming that the six powers had offered to ease sanctions on Iran if it stops enriching uranium to 20 percent fissile purity at its Fordow facility - a short technical step from weapons grade. (Reporting by...

>In a statement after the February 26-27 talks, Iran said expert level talks between the two sides would be held in Istanbul on March 18 and another round of political negotiations on April 5-6.Iran's chief nuclear negotiator suggested Iran could discuss its production of nuclear fuel enriched to a...

By: Matt Palazzolo Every one of my classes contains at least one disinterested student. These scholars spend the entire period aimlessly surfing the Internet or hunching over their smartphones. I have no personal objections to these people—without them I would have never...

1 Outside the window -- PI lighthouse Friday, March 1, 1030-1130 a.m. Presque Isle Lighthouse kiosk, Presque Isle State Park kids ages 3-5 can learn about lighthouses. Cost 3 registration required. Info 833-7424.

Hezbollah leader Sayyed Hassan Nasrallah Wednesday issued a strongly worded warning against what he said were attempts to incite Sunni-Shiite strife in Lebanon, advising his rivals: “Don’t make any miscalculations with us.”

Washington, Feb 28 (IANS) As Chuck Hagel took over as Barack Obama's new defence secretary amid a controversy over his comments on India's role in Afghanistan, Pentagon - the US defence department headquarters - said that Hagel will work to strengthen ties to India.

The international community expects that Iran will clarify the nature of its nuclear program, UN Secretary General Ban Ki-moon said Wednesday.

Nouri al-Maliki says most dangerous outcome for Syria is an opposition victory as it will lead to sectarian war in Iraq.

DUBAI, Feb 28 (Bernama) -- Dubai International has begun 2013 in top gear, setting yet another monthly record by welcoming, for the first time, more than 5.5 million passengers in a single month, Emirates News Agency (WAM) reported.

PARIS (Reuters) - President Francois Hollande wants to boost trade ties with Moscow and will have to balance that with French concerns over Russia's human rights record during a debut Moscow visit on Thursday that could prove a diplomatic obstacle course. Related Stories WikiLeaks soldier to take witness stand in...

A new report shows that the recent wave of cyberattacks on the U.S. are coming from a highly sophisticated group of hackers that are most likely state-sponsored.

OPENING THIS WEEK 21 AND OVER: When his two best friends pay him a surprise visit for his 21st birthday, a straight-A college student throws caution to the wind for a wild night, despite having an important medical school interview the next morning.

Colorado tight end Nick Kasa runs a drill during the NFL scouting combine in Indianapolis on Saturday. Questions asked of him by NFL personnel took an odd turn.

Uzbekistan's Bunyodkor provided the biggest upset of this year's fledgling AFC Champions League when they shocked J-League title-holders Sanfrecce H...

On Monday, Secretary of State John Kerry took off on his first foreign trip of the capitals of Western Europe and the Arab world. The focus of the trip is the just-about-impossible task of creating international consensus on ending the civil war in Syria at a an international conference in...

The US Senate has confirmed a key ally of President Obama as the new treasury secretary. Jack Lew's appointment came as newly inaugurated Defense Secretary Chuck Hagel began work at the Pentagon.

Rough Translation: A – I saw the goal again on Youtube the other night just to see it again. Anyways, I was very happy and it was a great thing to happen. Q – You had a clear view when you got past the defenders to score A- Yes, even...

One of the top Democratic lawmakers on foreign policy is preparing to introduce a bill this week that would authorize President Obama to begin sending arms directly to rebels fighting to overthrow Syrian President Bashar Assad — legislation that would open the way for significantly deeper U.S. involvement in...

From Editor Robert Parry: In the near 18-year history of Consortiumnews, we have relied mostly on small donations from readers and an occasional grant from a few family foundations.

Birthdays, anniversaries and events for 28 February

A British newspaper has published satellite images that it says prove Iran is developing a second path to a nuclear weapons capability.

Statement by EU High Representative Catherine Ashton following the E3+3 talks with Iran, Almaty, 27 February

Some questions about the economy, interest rates, energy policy, gun control and more that will put everyone on the spot

SINGAPORE, Feb 28 (Reuters) - U.S. crude futures inchedtowards $93 a barrel on Thursday after the Federal Reservereaffirmed its commitment to existing stimulus measures, whilerobust U.S. economic data also bolstered the outlook for demandin the world's largest energy consumer. FUNDAMENTALS * U.S. crude for April delivery had...

Ben Affleck and Bryan Cranston in a scene from the motion picture 'Argo.' Warner Bros. Pictures

So Chuck Hagel is now the secretary of defense after a grueling confirmation process that managed to ignore most of the big challenges he'll face. That's our political media culture in inaction. Chuck Hagel and his allies spent months dealing with a string of mostly hysterical distractions -- Did...

Search our Archives! Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu urged the international community on Wednesday to threaten Iran with "military sanctions", saying economic measures are failing to curb Tehran's nuclear drive.

Search our Archives! Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu urged the international community on Wednesday to threaten Iran with "military sanctions", saying economic measures are failing to curb Tehran's nuclear drive.

The United States should follow Israel's lead in making Iran and Syria priorities over advancing Israeli-Palestinian peace, Sen. Marco Rubio said.

Search our Archives! Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu urged the international community on Wednesday to threaten Iran with "military sanctions", saying economic measures are failing to curb Tehran's nuclear drive.

The fact Chuck Hagel’s nomination for defense secretary has dragged on so long and caused so much teeth-gnashing means it’s probably a good time for President Obama to come up with another candidate.

The West's confrontation over Iran's nuclear program is heating up — yet again.

Iran's supreme leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei on Wednesday urged the visiting Pakistani president to press ahead with a much-delayed $7.5 billion gas pipeline project despite US opposition.

Father of slain little boy lobbies for assault weapons ban.

There is a damnable dilemma faced by women everywhere, from Hollywood awards ceremonies to the Westminster casting couch, says Allison Pearson

TEL AVIV, Israel, Feb. 27 (UPI) -- Israel is reported to have sent messages to the Turkish government in recent days saying it's interested in restoring "a more positive dynamic" in badly strained relations with its onetime strategic ally.

In the study room at Greenwood Public Library, Maggie (not her real name) who is 38 and lives in the nearby Cate Apartments, and Carrie Danielson, a 33 year-old Western Washington University graduate, chat and laugh like old friends.

Moscow, Feb 28 (IANS/RIA Novosti) Russian President Vladimir Putin has said systematic attempts are being made to undermine the existing strategic balance of forces.

Iran President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad says Iran and Pakistan stand united and share strategic views with regards to their bilateral relations.

Tehran has confiscated the passports of the film's star Maryam Moghadam and co-director Kamboziya Partovi. read more

WASHINGTON (Reuters) - Decorated Vietnam veteran Chuck Hagel was sworn in as U.S. defence secretary on Wednesday after a bruising Senate confirmation battle, and promised to renew old U.S. alliances and forge new ones without attempting to "dictate" to the world.

Former Swissair manager says 'Argo' scenes realistic A former Swissair official said the airport scenes in Oscar-winning film "Argo" were a realistic depiction of the airline's unwitting role in the rescue of American diplomats from Tehran during the 1979 Islamic Revolution.

WASHINGTON - The leaders of the House Foreign Affairs Committee are pushing legislation that would tighten penalties on Iran and pressure the U.S. to work with the European Union in cutting off Iran's access to the euro currency.

Iran is installing next-generation equipment at one of its main nuclear plants, the UN atomic agency warns.

The cloak of invisibility this is not.

As the Academy Award-winning film Argo excites people with the story of its dramatic rescue of a handful of Americans trapped in Tehran after Iranian students and militants seized the U.S. embassy, it's well to recall a failed mission to rescue the other 52 hostages held there for...

When you order seafood — whether at a restaurant, market or grocery store — are you always confident you're getting what you purchased?

GENEVA (AP) — An Iranian opposition group is urging the U.N. refugee agency to provide better protection for its members in Iraq following a mortar attack on their camp near Baghdad airport in which seven people were killed.

On March 1, 2013 in the Glazunov concert hall at the St. Petersburg Conservatory named after N.A. Rimsky-Korsakov there will be a concert performed by the Symphony Orchestra of the Opera and Ballet Theatre of the St. Petersburg State Conservatory conducted by Alim Shakhmametiev, and the music "Hesar" written...

Iran's president calls on the Syrian leader and rebels to negotiate an end to the nation's ongoing conflict.

Pakistani President Asif Ali Zardari is making a visit to Iran to sign a deal for construction of a $1.5 billion pipeline to bring Iranian gas to his country. Zardari's two-day visit is due to include a meeting with Iranian counterpart Mahmud Ahmadinejad to sign the pipeline agreement and...

Iran's state TV has broadcast footage allegedly extracted from the advanced US spy drone captured in 2011.

Search our Archives! Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu urged the international community on Wednesday to threaten Iran with "military sanctions", saying economic measures are failing to curb Tehran's nuclear drive.

The U.S. Wrestling Federation has invited the Iranian freestyle team to participate in the exhibition match in New York's Times Square, the Iranian media reported. The U.S. Wrestling has said that a dual meet will be held in May.

Years after three young men were tortured to death after being detained for participating in mass protests that followed Iran's 2009 presidential election, the man held responsible has finally gone on trial. Outside observers of the closed-door trial, however, hold out little hope for justice. -Golnaz Esfandiari and Mohammad Zarghami,...

>Kerry, who was in Paris meeting the French president and his counterpart Laurent Fabius during a tour of Europe, repeated that Washington was ready to hold bilateral talks with Iran.He added: "Iran knows what it needs to do, the president has made clear his determination to implement his policy...

Chuck Hagel took charge Wednesday of the Defense Department with deep budget cuts looming and Republican opponents still doubtful that he's up to the job.

So did Defense Secretary Chuck Hagel’s lengthy and painful confirmation ordeal mortally wound him, even before as he takes the oath of office Wednesday morning to become the nation’s 24th defense secretary?

Australia's Central Coast Mariners were left to rue a late penalty miss as they were held 0-0 by Suwon Bluewings of South Korea in the AFC Champions League on Wednesday.

BAGHDAD (AP) — Iraq's prime minister warned Wednesday that a victory for Syria's rebels will spark sectarian wars in his own country and in Lebanon and will create a new haven for al-Qaida that would destabilize the region.

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>By Amena BakrDUBAI Feb 27 (Reuters) - Pakistan is yet to ship any wheat to Iran from a 1-million tonne barter deal agreed last August due to government disagreements, an executive from Pakistani grain exporter Seatrade Group said.International and local trade sources said progress on the deal could be...

MOSCOW (Reuters) - Russian investigators said on Wednesday a prominent critic of President Vladimir Putin had gained his qualifications as a lawyer illegally, piling more pressure on the opposition leader who already faces three criminal investigations. Related Stories Former foreign minister Mottaki joins Iran's presidential race Expert on Japan, North...

ZURICH (Reuters) - Several people have been killed and seriously injured during a shooting at a factory near the Swiss city of Lucern, police said on Wednesday. Related Stories Former foreign minister Mottaki joins Iran's presidential race Expert on Japan, North Korea likely to be new China foreign minister -...

BAGHDAD (Reuters) - Turkish and Qatari support for Syrian insurgents is tantamount to a declaration of war against Iraq, which will suffer from the fallout of an increasingly sectarian conflict next door, an Iraqi Shi'ite politician said. Related Stories Former foreign minister Mottaki joins Iran's presidential race Expert on Japan,...

BEIRUT, Lebanon, Feb. 27 (UPI) -- Hezbollah denied reports that its leader Hassan Nasrallah has cancer and was recently taken to Iran for treatment.

An anti-virus firm says the cyberweapon that targeted an Iranian nuclear plant is older than previously believed, a finding that may shed more light on a mysterious series of attacks attributed by security experts to U.S. and Israeli intelligence.

Iranian prosecutors have charged a close ally of President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad with the "illegal arrests" of protesters, state media say.

>ALMATY Feb 27 (Reuters) - Six world powers did not offer to suspend oil or financial sanctions during talks with Iran on its nuclear programme in the Kazakh city of Almaty, a senior U.S. administration official said on Wednesday.The powers - France, Germany, the United States, China, Russia...

>* No signs of progress in powers' talks with Iran - agency* API says US crude stocks rise less than expected* Coming Up: EIA petroleum status report; 1530 GMT (Previous SINGAPORE, updates prices, adds quotes)By Alex LawlerLONDON, Feb 27 (Reuters) - Oil traded near $113 a barrel on Wednesday, edging...

>WASHINGTON Feb 26 (Reuters) - U.S. lawmakers will introduce a bill on Wednesday that expands economic penalties against Iran and is designed to force countries like China to buy less Iranian crude oil, according to a copy of the legislation obtained by Reuters on Tuesday. The bill is the...