News Archive - 4 May 2012

Iranians were going to voting stations on Friday in 33 constituencies nationwide in the second round of the ninth parliamentary elections to decide on 65 empty chairs in the 290-memebr Islamic Consultative Assembly (Majlis). Polling stations opened at eight o'clock a.m. in the related constituencies. In the capital Tehran,...

Managing Director of Iran's Gas Engineering and Development Company says the Islamic Republic is planning to build a gas pipeline to Iraq in order to export gas to its western neighbor. "The 48-inch gas pipeline to Iraq, which will run for 220 kilometers, will be a branch of Iran’s sixth...

Demonstrators have once again taken to the streets of Saudi Arabia's oil-rich Eastern Province to protest the country's governance. On Friday, demonstrators demanded that the Al Saud regime hold police responsible for the killing of several peaceful protesters since last year. Demonstrators called for the recognition of their basic rights,...

IRI animation experts produced a first cinematic animation on nuclear energy, according to Martyr Avini Cultural and Art Institute. Directed by Mohammad Amin Hamadanian, the short animation is ready for public screening. It will also be nominated for the 31st International Fajr Film Festival. Produced by Hassan Jafari, the animation...

A snake that crawled into an electrical substation on Thursday knocked out power to nearly 14,000 homes on the northwest side of Oklahoma's state capital, the US utility officials said. The power failure occurred at about 2 a.m. when the snake touched a component that caused a switch to...

IRI Foreign Minister Ali Akbar Salehi said Tehran attaches special significance to the upcoming talks with the six major world powers (G5+1) in Baghdad, urging both sides to set new frameworks for the negotiations. “Experts of the two sides should draw a plan to determine next steps in a transparent...

Demonstrators have once again taken to the streets of Saudi Arabia's oil-rich Eastern Province to protest the country's governance. On Friday, demonstrators demanded that the Al Saud regime hold police responsible for the killing of several peaceful protesters since last year. Demonstrators called for the recognition of their basic rights,...

Egyptians are getting ready to take part in a “million-man” march in the capital Cairo to demand the end of the military rule following the recent killing of protesters by pro-military thugs. The Muslim Brotherhood has called on protesters to return to the landmark Liberation Square on Friday and demand...

Another two US-led troops died in an attack by Taliban militants in southern Afghanistan, according to Press TV. The alliance has not yet released further details regarding the soldiers’ nationality or the exact location of the incident. The attack comes a day after the Taliban militant group announced that they...

Hundreds of foreign and Iranian reporters are busy covering Majlis run-off elections, which began in 33 constituencies in Tehran and some other Iranian cities on Friday. In Tehran the elections started at 08:00 am and will end at 18:00 pm. Some 130 hopefuls are vying for 65 seats in the...

Chairman of System Interest Council, Ayatollah Akbar Hashemi Rafsanjani, on Friday hoped that Iranian officials would help materialize the pivotal guidelines of the Leader of Islamic Revolution, Ayatollah Sayyed Ali Khamenei. Talking to IRNA after casting his ballot for the 9th Majlis run-off elections, Rafsanjani said, “I am sure that...

>Khamenei's majority will mean a tougher final year for Ahmadinejad in his second and last term, and with reformists mostly sidelined and opposition leaders under house arrest, the vote is purely a test of the popularity of Khamenei's clerical establishment.Some 65 of 290 seats are being contested after Khamenei...

>VIENNA (Reuters) - Iran said on Friday it will never suspend its uranium enrichment program and sees no reason to close the Fordow underground site, making clear Tehran's red lines in nuclear talks with world powers later this month. Last month a senior U.S. official said the United States...

>NEW DELHI May 4 (Reuters) - India will walk a diplomatic tightrope next week as it plays host to U.S. Secretary of State Hillary Clinton at the same time as a large Iranian trade delegation visits seeking to circumvent tough U.S. sanctions that have strangled Iran's economy. The...

>By Andrew QuinnBEIJING May 4 (Reuters) - U.S. Secretary of State Hillary Clinton said on Friday that the United States was willing to work with North Korea if it changed its ways, and also said more pressure should be bought to bear on Sudan and Syria.Speaking in Beijing...

>* World powers urge Iran to give more nuclear access* Brent to drop to $113.77 -technicals* Coming Up: U.S. Non-farm payrolls, April; 1230 GMT (Updates prices)By Manash GoswamiSINGAPORE, May 4 (Reuters) - Brent crude held above $116 per barrel on Friday ahead of a key U.S. payrolls...

BEIJING — The U.S. and China forged the outlines of a deal Friday to end a diplomatic standoff over legal activist Chen Guangcheng that would let him travel to the U.S. with his family for a university fellowship.

TEHRAN, Iran (AP) — Final results for many constituencies in Iran's parliamentary runoff elections show conservative rivals of President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad winning a solid majority of seats and cementing their hold on the legislature. The parliament has no direct control over major policy matters like Iran's nuclear program, but it...

BEIJING -- With a series of quickly choreographed steps, the U.S. and China outlined a tentative deal Friday to send a blind legal activist to America for study and potentially bring a face-saving end to a delicate diplomatic crisis.The arrangements, ...

Over the last couple of weeks, Sapulpans noticed a slight drop in prices at the pump.

DUBAI, United Arab Emirates -- In the rigid enemy-or-ally world view of Osama bin Laden and his chief lieutenants, Iran occupied a spot somewhere in between -- a state seen as arrogant, enigmatic and driven by self interest, according to newly releas ...

>* Bank's charter set to expire May 31By Alexandra Alper and Doug PalmerWASHINGTON, May 4 (Reuters) - Leaders of the U.S. House of Representatives said on Friday they reached a bipartisan deal to reauthorize the U.S. Export-Import Bank through Sept. 30, 2014, and gradually increase its lending cap...

NEW YORK - The price of oil plunged to its lowest level in nearly six months Friday, falling below $ ...

MAX HASTINGS: The election turnout and outcome – a triumph for the Apathy Party no matter how many seats Labour gained – highlights disenchantment with the political process.

The average price for a gallon of regular unleaded gasoline dropped 6 cents this week in Texas and stayed the same in New Mexico.

Watch Video | Listen to the Audio JUDY WOODRUFF: And to the analysis of Shields and Brooks. That is syndicated columnist Mark Shields and New York Times columnist David Brooks. Gentlemen, welcome. So we have just been hearing the bin Laden story, the interview with Peter Bergen that Margaret did.

A tentative deal to allow activist Chinese lawyer Chen Guangcheng to study in the United States serves as a face-saving measure for all involved: Washington can say it safeguarded human rights, Beijin

Rick Santorum met privately with Mitt Romney on Friday, the pairs first meeting since the former Pennsylvania senator left the presidential race nearly a month ago.

“The professionals do not, while laymen might this encourage enterprises,” said the correspondent may 3 BakuToday Belarusian Economist Leanid Zaika, commenting on the intention of the authorities of Belarus before the end of the year increased to $ 500 average salary in the Republic.

PETALING JAYA: The Malaysian men turned on the heat in the quarter-finals but their female counterparts suffered a surprise defeat in their final group match at the Asian Team squash championships in Kuwait on Thursday.

KUALA LUMPUR: Sabah swimmer Chui Lai Kwan has not given up her Olympic dream despite walking out of the national team late last year.

MALACCA: Malaysia will have to put on their thinking cap and come up with a simple strategy to get the goals against a vastly speedy South Korea if they hope to collect full points in this Group A match in the Junior Asia Cup.

Also: "The Avengers conquer opening night; Beyonce wins journalism award; famous kids go to prom; supermodel battles Salma Hayek s husband.

WASHINGTON (USA TODAY) — More than a month after Secretary of State Hillary Clinton promised to provide non-lethal aid to the Syrian opposition movement, leaders battling a brutal government crackdown say almost none of that aid has arrived.

THE price of oil has dropped below $US100 per barrel for the first time since February.

A Nova Scotia student at the centre of a controversy about religion and public schools will have the right to wear a shirt with the message: "Life is wasted without Jesus."

A prominent Iranian literary translator imprisoned since January on unknown charges has suspended his hunger strike after 28 days, a source close to the family said Thursday.

At the end of the high-level strategic talks between the U.S. and China, both countries have vowed to improve relations and to prevent human rights from becoming a major diplomatic stumbling block.

NEW YORK - The price of oil plunged to its lowest level in nearly six months Friday, falling below $100 per barrel for the first time since February. A drop in gasoline prices can't be far behind.

Leader of the Islamic Revolution Ayatollah Seyyed Ali Khamenei has cast his ballot in the Majlis (parliament) run-off elections as the second round of the vote officially started in the Iranian capital of Tehran and many other cities.

* U.S. April non-farm jobs weaker than expected * Brent crude crashes below 200-day moving average * U.S. crude off nearly 4 pct, Brent off 2.5 pct * Brent posts biggest weekly loss since November (Updates ...

Oil prices have plunged this week, erasing the gains of recent months and dissipating fears of $5-per-gallon gas ... at least for now. The price of U.S. crude oil slipped beneath $100 per barrel on Friday, dropping more than 4% from Thursday, to $98.17. Oil prices are typically a...

The U.S. and China forged the outlines of a deal Friday to end a diplomatic standoff over legal activist Chen Guangcheng that would let him travel to the U.S. with his family for a university fellowship.

Iraq’s fugitive vice president on Friday described a terror trial pending against him in Baghdad as part of a political vendetta that has wider repercussions for Iraqi unity and sectarian tensions across the Middle East.

Strategic Track Plenary Session of the Strategic and Economic Dialogues Remarks Hillary Rodham Clinton Secretary of State Diaoyutai Beijing, China May 4, 2012 .addthis_toolbox.addthis_pill_combo_style a {margin: 0px 2px 0px 2px;} (In progress) for the warm welcome and hospitality that our entire delegation has enjoyed here in Beijing. As both...

For Jack Wu's next column, he might address the entire concept of "monopoly government services," i.e., why do I have to use the government's garbageman? Why can't I hire my own?

MOSCOW, May 4 (UPI) -- Russia could offer its Don-2 radar system near Moscow as part of a deal with NATO on a European missile-defense system, a government official said Friday.

Conservative factions that already dominate the Parliament seemed to be cruising to victory Friday in a second round of elections to the 290-member assembly.

MELAKA, May 5 (Bernama) -- Defending champions India trounced Sri Lanka 11-0 in the opening match in Group B of the Asian Junior Hockey Champhionship at the MBMB Hockey Satdium in Bukit Serindit here Friday night.

COLOGNE, Germany (Reuters) - German Finance Minister Wolfgang Schaeuble said on Friday the next Greek government must abide by commitments made by Athens under its EU/IMF bailout programme or "bear the consequences". Related Stories Russia talk of pre-emptive strike unjustified: NATO Nigeria pledges action, urges patience on oil graft Khamenei...

The bullish oil price scenarios are giving way to what seems to be ever mounting supply. Mario Draghi failed to provide any real simulative hopes and we had a weak ISM nonmanufacturing data report that lowered demand expectations and so we have growing odds of a continuing price collapse.

DUBAI, United Arab Emirates (AP) — In the rigid enemy-or-ally world view of Osama bin Laden and his chief lieutenants, Iran occupied a spot somewhere in between — a state seen as arrogant, enigmatic and driven by self interest, according to newly released al-Qaida documents.

The price of oil dropped below $100 per barrel for the first time since February following a disappointing U.S. jobs report and some signs of a slowing world economy. Benchmark West Texas Intermediate crude fell as low as $97.83 Friday morning before edging back to $98.21 per...

At least one person killed and several others injured after Egyptian security forces clashed with anti-junta protesters in Cairo, according to Press TV. Egyptian forces clashed with demonstrators on Friday after they attempted to cross security barriers outside the defense ministry building. They also used tear gas and water canon...

The skyline at Maffeo Sutton Park gets a bit brighter today (May 4) as the Nanaimo International Folk Festival Society flags are installed for the season.

TEHRAN, May 3 (MNA) – The deputy secretary of Iran’s Supreme National Security Council, Ali Baqeri, has said that the West should take practical steps to win the Iranian nation’s confidence in order to help advance the talks between Tehran and world powers.

YEREVAN (Reuters) - Gurgen Badasyan has struggled to live on his Armenian state pension for years and holds out little hope that a parliamentary election on Sunday will improve his life in the mountainous South Caucasus state. Related Stories Ukraine prosecutors deny Tymoshenko beating allegations Pressure builds on head of...

BEIJING: The United States said Friday that China has agreed to let blind activist Chen Guangcheng and his family leave the country soon, raising hopes of a resolution to a damaging diplomatic crisis.

* U.S. April non-farm jobs at 115,000 vs 170,000 expected * Worries demand growth from top oil consumer could falter * OPEC pumping 2.3 mln bpd above its target -Badri * World powers urge Iran to give ...

The oil complex is continuing its selloff with WTI & Brent now trading at the lower end of the trading range and showing all of the signs that they are breaking down technically and supported by the slowing economy and easing of tensions in the Middle East. The Iranian premium...

Speaker: Anton G. Siluanov, Minister of Finance, Russian Federation Presider: Peter R. Fisher, Senior Managing Director, BlackRock, Inc. April 23, 2012

>* Growth in Nigeria, South Africa, Iran (Adds details)JOHANNESBURG, MAY 4 (Reuters) - MTN Group, Africa's largest mobile operator, reported on Friday a 4 percent rise in subscribers for the first quarter, helped by increases in its key markets of South Africa, Nigeria and Iran.MTN, which is currently the...

>ST GALLEN, Switzerland (Reuters) - Gaining access to a key Iranian military facility will be the priority for the U.N. nuclear watchdog when it resumes talks with the Islamic state in mid-May, agency head Yukiya Amano said on Friday. Amano, director general of the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA),...

Iran, Syria and now China. President Barack Obama faces a third front of vulnerability on his administration's record of defending human rights with the muddled situation involving activist Chen Guangcheng.

A new report by Oxfam International names Iran and Syria as major violators of arms embargoes over the last decade. Click here for the rest of the article...

MOSCOW (Reuters) - When Vladimir Putin stood for re-election to the presidency in 2004, he named a new government even before the vote. Now, days before he is sworn in as Kremlin chief for a third time, the shape of his next administration remains a mystery. Related Stories Annan plan...

DJERBA, Tunisia (Reuters) - In the Jewish quarters on the Tunisian island of Djerba, only menoras or Hebrew letters painted in blue against the whitewashed walls distinguish a Jewish home from the Muslim family living next door. Related Stories Annan plan for Syria "on track", spokesman says Iran dismisses Western...

Polls opened Friday morning in runoff elections to decide the remaining unresolved seats in the Iranian parliament. President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad's party is expected to fare poorly.

TEHRAN, May 4 (MNA) - The Iranian ambassador to the International Atomic Energy Agency has said that Iran sees no reason to close the Fordo uranium enrichment facility.

>JERUSALEM (Reuters) - Iran's nuclear strategy could eventually allow it to build an atomic bomb with just 60 days' notice, Israeli Defence Minister Ehud Barak said on Friday. His remarks elaborate on long-held Israeli concerns that Iran is playing for time even as it engages world powers in negotiations aimed...

BEIJING (AP) - U.S. Secretary of State Hillary Rodham Clinton on Friday urged China to play a responsible role in the world by respecting human rights and helping to deal with challenges posed by Iran and North Korea's nuclear programs and violence in Syria and Sudan and South Sudan.

Iran's foreign minister says Tehran attaches special significance to the upcoming talks with the six major world powers (P5+1) in Baghdad, urging both sides to set new frameworks for the negotiations.

TEHRAN, May 4 (MNA) – The Central Electoral Supervisory Board issued a statement on Friday saying that no person or organization has the right to interfere in monitoring the process of election.

WASHINGTON - Letters from Osama bin Laden's last hideaway, released by U.S. officials intent on discrediting his terror organization, portray a network weak, inept and under siege - and its leader seemingly near wits' end about the passing of his global jihad's glory days.

ADDIS ABABA, Ethiopia - Sudan on Thursday endorsed the African Union's roadmap to avert an all-out war with South Sudan, though it insisted on retaining the right to self-defense.

★★★★This Is Not a Film Iran's Jafar Panahi has been banned from making movies for 20 years, so this is, technically, "not a film.” What is it, then? A record of a day under house arrest and a deflected plea for the freedom to speak, to create, and to...

(AP) The National Academy of Sciences is casting more doubt on whether the Obama administration's European-based missile defense shield can protect the United States and recommends scrapping key …

>* Chinese insurers replace European-based tanker coverage* Chemical freight rates from Iran surge on sanctionsBy Randy FabiSINGAPORE, May 4 (Reuters) - Chinese shipping firms are making huge profits transporting Iranian petrochemicals after EU sanctions against OPEC's second largest oil producer decimated the competition, ship brokers said on Friday.EU sanctions...