News Archive - 20 June 2012

Russian President Vladimir Putin says the months-long crisis in Syria should only be resolved by constitutional means and through dialogue between the authorities and the opposition. “No one is entitled to decide for other nations who will be brought to power and who will be removed,” Putin told journalists on...

The Iranian Navy's deputy chief for Technical Affairs, Rear Admiral Abbas Zamini, says the Islamic Republic plans to unveil 10 new indigenous frigates and destroyers. Zamini said on Tuesday that the plan to build 10 more naval vessels comes after the country’s two major destroyer projects: Jamaran, a Mowj-1 class...

IRI president presenting a proposal to participants at Rio+20 Conference in Brazil, said here Wednesday, “Nations, along with governments based on nations’ votes must have constructive, loving, and responsible participation in world management. President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad who was speaking at the UN sponsored conference in Brazil added, “The international system...

Older people who take vitamin D and calcium supplements may live a bit longer than their peers, according to an international review of several studies covering more than 70,000 people. Researchers writing in the Journal of Clinical Endocrinology found that older people who were given the supplements were 9 percent...

Britain and Argentine leaders have publicly clashed over the sovereignty of Malvinas islands on the sidelines of a Group of 20 (G20) summit in Mexico, local media reported. The clash between Prime Minister David Cameron and Argentinean President Cristina Fernndez de Kirchner marked as the latest escalation of war of...

Navy's Deputy Commander Rear Admiral Mahmoud Mousavi said on Wednesday that Iranian naval forces in a military operation foiled pirates' attempts to capture an Iranian cargo ship. According to the Public Relations Department of the Iranian Navy, the Iranian cargo ship was attacked by eight speedboats manned by pirates and...

At least 7 Palestinians, including two teenagers, have been martyred and five others injured in a series of airstrikes carried out by Zionist regime's warplanes on the besieged Gaza Strip, reports say. On Tuesday night, an airstrike targeted two men on a motorcycle in the town of Deir al-Balah, killing...

Ousted Egyptian dictator Hosni Mubarak has been declared clinically dead upon arrival at a military hospital in southern Cairo. He was transferred to Maadi Hospital late on Tuesday night after he was defibrillated in the Torah prison hospital, Egypt’s official news agency MENA reported. Prior to his transfer to Maadi...

Iran and Bolivia stressed the need for convergence among independent and justice-seeking countries to achieve progress and development. During a joint meeting held between the Iranian and Bolivian ranking delegations, the two presidents stressed that the justice-seeking, freedom-loving and anti-imperialist nations and governments should stand together and mobilize all their...

New research indicates that heavy tea drinkers are more likely to develop prostate cancer than the moderate and non-tea drinkers. The Glasgow University team through analyzing more than 6,000 men aged between 21 and 75 found that those who drank more than seven cups of tea per day had a...

>* China has yet to win reprieve from planned U.S. sanctions* U.S. seeking to pressure Iran without roiling marketsBy Andrew QuinnWASHINGTON, June 20 (Reuters) - China is moving to cut its imports of Iranian oil, tracking earlier efforts by countries such as India, Japan and South Korea which...

>Six world powers and Iran failed to secure a breakthrough at talks in Moscow this week, the third round under the latest diplomatic initiative, and set no date for more political negotiations."It is time for the United States and Western powers to impose more severe sanctions in the oil...

A Republican candidate for Arizona's open U.S. Senate seat is touting his background as a lobbyist for Namibian companies with ties to Iran in a Facebook post as a way to ward off attacks about his lack of private sector experience.

>VIENNA (Reuters) - A U.S. security institute published new satellite imagery on Wednesday which it said appeared to show further activity to clean up an Iranian military site which the U.N. nuclear watchdog wants to inspect, including removing earth. Parchin, which Iran says is a conventional military complex,...

>MOSCOW/LONDON (Reuters) - Western diplomatic efforts to curb Iran's nuclear program may not have breathed their last but the troubled process appears to be on life support after talks this week failed to resolve a row stirring regional tensions and unsettling oil markets. Mindful of a possible Israel strike, both...

>* Shipments as much as 1 million bpd lower than end-2011* Some big Asian buyers to continue Iranian imports (Adds quotes)By Alex LawlerLONDON, June 20 (Reuters) - Iranian oil exports are falling further in June as more customers in Europe and Asia stop or scale back purchases ahead of European...

>* Japan is first country to try to bypass EU ban* Imports from Iran have fallen sharply (Adds import decline, graphic link)By Risa MaedaTOKYO, June 20 (Reuters) - Japan's parliament approved government guarantees on insurance for crude oil cargoes from Iran on Wednesday, paving the way for it to become...

US Secretary of State Hillary Clinton said that China is moving in the direction of India on reducing its dependence on Iranian oil.

Bashar al-Assad would be offered safe passage to Switzerland to take part in peace talks, under plans being drawn up by Britain and America to end the crisis in Syria.

Iran's Navy commander Rear Admiral Habibollah Sayyari says the Islamic Republic seeks to ramp up its efforts to strengthen its presence in international waters.

Russia must stop providing military supplies to Syria, Arab League's deputy secretary general, Ahmed Bin Hilli, said in an interview with the Interfax news agency on Thursday.

Iran's influential former president has criticized world powers for their "dishonesty" in recent nuclear talks in Moscow.

Chechen leader Ramzan Kadyrov has opened an official Twitter account, the North Caucasus Republic's government said on Wednesday. "The account is @RKadyrov. Ramzan Kadyrov has nothing to do with other accounts in social networks attributed to the head of the Chechen Republic," the government said.

New York, Jun 21 : Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon Wednesday voiced regret that Iran and the E3+3 grouping made up of the United Kingdom, the United States, China, France, Germany and Russia – were unable to reach agreement on concrete and reciprocal measures at their meeting in Moscow on Tehran’s nuclear...

Syrian armed gangs operating in the flashpoint city of Homs have threatened to start killing civilians if the Army refuses to leave. Officials say up to 5,000 civilians have been taken hostage by armed gangs in Homs, where the gunmen are attacking both private and public properties. The sound of...

Do you bear an uncanny resemblance to some of the most well-known political figures of the modern era? Can you handle hearing LMFAO’s shuffle-inducing “Party Rock Anthem” for the umpteenth million time without bashing your own brains in?

ISLAMABAD (Reuters) - Pakistan's president has nominated ruling party veteran and textiles minister Makhdoom Shahabuddin to replace the ousted prime minister, state media reported on Thursday, in an apparent bid for continuity ahead of elections due early next year. Related Stories Argentina deploys military police in fuel strike Clinton -...

About 75 per cent of the resources are in four principal regions.

Chennai, June 20: Thailand's Noppon Saengkham warmed up for the knock-out phase with a brilliant break of 122 clearance as he outclassed Himanshu Jain 3-0 to qualify for the pre-quarter-finals of the Kences Constructions - ASCA International snooker tournament here Wednesday.

CAIRO — Authorities delayed Thursday’s planned announcement of the winner of Egypt’s presidential election, likely for several days, hiking tension as allegations of fraud swirled and each candidate d

BUENOS AIRES (Reuters) - Argentina's government sent military police to take control of fuel plants and get trucks back on the road on Wednesday, the first day of a truckers' pay strike that could cause widespread shortages in Latin America's third-biggest economy. Related Stories Argentina deploys military police in fuel...

Iranian stalling tactics, veiled threats by the six powers and odd PowerPoint presentations, but nary a word about Israel in the third round of nuclear talks with Iran.

Saeb Erekat and Shaul Mofaz hold separate meetings with Hillary Clinton, but avoid each other while in Washington.

Moscow, June 21 : Iran will build 10 frigates and destroyers, Iranian Navy deputy chief Rear Adm. Abbas Zamini said Wednesday.

No wonder the new round of talks in Moscow on the Iranian nuclear issue didn't achieve any concrete progress, frankly speaking, no one is confident of solving a matter concerning Iran's core interests through the talks.

Human rights groups claim up to 200,000 North Koreans are held in political prison camps and penitentiaries across the country facing malnutrition, harsh labor, torture and executions. Most prisoners .....

THE first celebrations for the new president were joyous but sparsely attended, saddled by fatigue and overwhelmed by traffic and heat. In Tahrir Square, flags waved and boys set off fireworks that disappeared in the midday sun.

Nation & World briefing ATHENS, Greece -- Greek conservative party head Antonis Samaras was sworn in as prime minister Wednesday, June 20, at

Two Apple store employees in Georgia have been accused of racially profiling Farsi-speaking shoppers, and refusing to sell them trade-embargoed iPads and iPhones. In two separate incidents, American customers of Iranian descent have been quoted Apple's export compliance policy and denied purchase based on perceived nationality. Apple has not officially...

HONG KONG (Reuters) - China has spent nearly $1 billion on an ultra-deepwater rig that appears intended to explore disputed areas of the South China Sea, one of Asia's most volatile hotspots and where the United States is strengthening ties with Beijing's rival claimants. Related Stories Israel: "all options" open...

NEW BRITAIN — Barbara Kirejczyk and Maryjane DiPietro, both of New Britain, will join the Siena Learning Center’s Advisory Council, according to Virginia Bruen, O.P., director of the center.

CARACAS (Reuters) - Venezuela's opposition shrugged off polls showing President Hugo Chavez in the lead before October's election and said on Wednesday its candidate, Henrique Capriles, would win thanks to a tireless "house-by-house" campaign. Related Stories Israel: "all options" open after Iran talks fail Angola police use tear gas, warning...

Embargo has had little impact on the price of oil. Don't have a login yet? Discover your benefits and register for free now! It only takes a minute. © 2012 European Voice. All rights reserved.

American Legion members from across the state will gather in Manchester this weekend to tackle challenges ranging from selecting new leadership to invigorating an aging membership.

As oil prices continue to teeter, governments are facing the unpleasant prospect of ever-more glaring deficits

Arbil, Iraq (AFP) June 20, 2012 An Iraqi Kurdish editor of a magazine that advocates relations between the Kurdistan region and Israel has been missing for more than 10 days, a journalist and a media rights group said on Wednesday. Mawlud Afand, the editor-in-chief of the Israel-Kurd Institute's magazine, has...

ISLAMABAD, Pakistan, June 20 (UPI) -- Pakistani President Asif Ali Zardari Thursday nominated Makhdoom Shahabuddin to replace Syed Yousaf Raza Gilani as prime minister, DawnNews reported.

RIO DE JANEIRO - Canada's delegation at the United Nations environmental summit in Brazil walked out of the room today during Iranian President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad's address. A spokesman for Environment Minister Peter Kent â who leads the delegation â says the walkout sent a strong signal to...

> Financials Industrials...

>RIO DE JANEIRO (Reuters) - Brazilian President Dilma Rousseff welcomed world leaders to a rainy Rio de Janeiro on Wednesday under a cloud of criticism that a three-day summit is falling far short of its promise to establish clear goals for sustainable development. Before the official start of the event,...

Attentive to activist investors, Irene Rosenfeld announced a surprising corporate breakup in August that will divorce Oreos and Mac 'N Cheese in 2012. The doctor of marketing and statistics says she's been considering the split since 2007, which will divide Kraft into a global snacks business with $32 billion estimated...

IT was plain sailing for the country's top national juniors at the Asian Junior Individual Squash Championships in Kish Island, Iran on Tuesday with top seeds Gurshan Singh and Ng Eain Yow enjoying comfortable opening day wins.

At last, after 11 years of the United States at war, a few minutes of public discussion of a tax to pay for the fighting. But that would be for the next war. “What would be the impact of going to war again without committing to pay for that war...

KHAIRUL Anuar Mohamed is looking like the country's best bet to spring a surprise at the London Olympics after scoring a first for Malaysia by finishing top of the men's recurve World Cup qualifying round in Ogden, Utah on Tuesday.

Watch Video | Listen to the Audio Normal 0 false false false MicrosoftInternetExplorer4 HARI SREENIVASAN:  The Federal Reserve's pronouncements didn't do much for Wall Street.  Stocks struggled as the forecast of slower growth undercut any momentum.  The Dow Jones industrial average lost just under 13 points to close at 12,824.

Bruno Metsu has arrived Tehran on Monday to open negotiations with Persepolis officials to take charge of the team. Mustafa Denizli has yet to come to Tehran to head the team in the Iran Professional League (LPI) pre-season.

The US and Israel jointly developed the sophisticated computer virus Flame, according to Western officials.

Strange things are happening in the world of oil. Crude prices have dropped more than 25% in the past four months. Global oil consumption has dropped below global production for the first time since 2004-05.

> Energy...

International aid teams stood ready last night to enter the war-torn Syrian city of Homs to evacuate people trapped and wounded by ten days of fighting between rebels and forces loyal to president Bashar al-Assad.

BRITAIN AND the US are willing to offer Bashar al-Assad safe passage – and even clemency – as part of a diplomatic push to convene a UN-sponsored conference in Geneva on political transition in Syria.

Pakistan has captured an “important” al-Qaeda leader in an operation near the Pakistan-Iran border, amid criticism from the United States that it was not doing enough to curb militancy.

ITU Secretary General says he wants to address the content and carriers issue.

PETALING JAYA: Promising squash junior Gurshan Singh stormed into the boys’ Under-17 semi-finals at the Asian Junior Championships at Kish Island, Iran, yesterday.

Already facing declining exports, the countrys mango exporters have now been hit with the loss of the lucrative Iranian market as a consequence of the trade embargo set upon Tehran by the United Nations.

Earlier this year, I was in Tehran for a conference on Hollywood's power and impact. It was called "Hollywoodism," featuring many scholars and critics of the values and political ideologies featured in many major movies with a focus on the way Israel (aka "the Zionists") are continually portrayed as...

Lecture - Lectures given at Heritage Foundation events by prominent political figures, academics, and issue experts from around the world. Unfortunately, not all of our lectures are transcribed.

On July 12, Greenwich Scouting celebrates the official Centennial Anniversary of their charter by the Boy Scouts of America. Every event for Scouts has been special this year in honor of the Centennial, including the BMX Cuboree when Cub Scouts raced their bikes.

Marinscope staff Wed. June 20, 7 p.m.: Pulitzer-Prize nominee Francine Du Plessix Gray presents “The Queen’s Lover,” a work of historical fiction that tells the story of a love affair between Marie Antoinette and a Swedish aristocrat.

Roger Clemens was acquitted of all counts of perjury on Monday. The charges stemmed from 2008 Congressional hearings about steroids in baseball, during which Clemens said that he had never used performance enhancing drugs. His two federal perjury trials - the first was declared a mistrial - lasted nearly a...

Gov. Jay Nixon issued his first post-session veto today of a bill that would includes provisions barring energy investment in Iran, reorganizing the executive branch and regulating disabled parking stalls.

NEW YORK--(BUSINESS WIRE)--United Against Nuclear Iran (UANI) CEO, Ambassador Mark D. Wallace, issued the following statement Wednesday regarding reports that Peugeot continues to send shipments to its Iranian partner, IKCO.

>It was Obama's second phone conversation in less than a week with the ruler of the world's largest oil exporter. They spoke last Thursday amid concerns about escalating violence in Syria and plans to widen sanctions on Iran."The president expressed his appreciation for Crown Prince Nayef's many contributions over...

In the clash of presidential agendas, it's the challenger's "Fair Shot" vs. the incumbent's "To Do List." Be still, my heart. Congress, President Barack Obama has repeatedly intoned, must pass his To Do List of generally popular items for economic revival. Which of course they will not, making...

GENEVA/BEIRUT (Reuters) - Aid teams stood ready on Wednesday to enter the contested Syrian city of Homs to evacuate people trapped and wounded by 10 days of fighting between rebels and forces loyal to President Bashar al-Assad. Both sides agreed to a temporary truce, the International Committee of the Red...

ISLAMABAD — A French national suspected of being a key al-Qaida operative and having ties to a mastermind of the Sept. 11 attacks has been captured by Pakistani security forces, a senior Pakistani security official said Wednesday. Naamen Meziche was seized outside the southwestern city of Quetta in the volatile...

As we await news of the latest atrocity from the U.S. Supreme Court pertaining to health care reform, we are reminded of earlier game-changing assaults on core democratic institutions inflicted by this court – their only consistency being their gross prejudice in favor of the rich and privileged. Read...

As the Pentagon exits Afghanistan it is looking to Kuwait to base a sizable force. One aim, to dispel the perception in the Mideast, disseminated by Iran, that the US is pulling back in the region.

Oil dropped to an eight-month low after the Energy Department reported that U.S. crude inventories climbed to the highest level in 22 years.

As president, lawmakers make noise, DNI Chief Clapper already is targeting would-be leakers.

British researchers at internet security firm Sophos are warning that internet spies have targeted the European aerospace industry.

BEIJING (Reuters) - Chinese dissident artist Ai Weiwei called an appeal hearing against a tax fine unfair after police warned him to stay away and blocked journalists from approaching the cramped court room which only had five seats. Related Stories U.S. recommends no criminal charges for Afghan Koran burning...

The latest round of high-level negotiations over Iran's nuclear ambitions ended Tuesday without an agreement. After the failure of talks that President Obama called Iran's "last chance," some wonder whether or not Israel or the United States may now opt for military force.

WASHINGTON – As part of his effort to plug leaks, Director of National Intelligence James Clapper is considering a proposal to force intelligence agency employees to answer a direct question in their polygraph examinations about whether they have disclosed information to reporters, according to officials familiar with the matter.

CALGARY, Alberta (Reuters) - Alberta's Energy Resources Conservation Board said on Wednesday it expects output from the province's oil sands to more than double by 2021, while conventional oil production last year rose for the first time in 16 years. The board, which regulates the province's oil and gas industry,...

Obama's G20 press conference offered little substance on the two crises facing the world.

"Mess Hall," Laura Shunk, June 7 Mess Manners I think Laura Shunk's reviews show an over-the-top type of criticism that is endless in negativity. Most restaurants ...

Can Presidents Obama and Putin find a UN Security Council resolution they can both live with?

Sahar Sabet of Alpharetta, Ga., says that when she was in a local Apple store last week to buy an iPad and an iPhone, she was told by a clerk that he couldn't sell the company's products to her. He'd overheard her speaking Farsi.

It all seems civilized and predictable. An aging crown prince passes away and his successor is promptly chosen: Prince Salman bin Abdulaziz al-Saud, another son of the founder of the Saudi kingdom and long-time governor of Riyadh, becomes the new successor to the reigning monarch, King Abdullah.

Chennai, Jun 20 : National no 3 Shabaaz Khan thrashed Yotharuck of Thailand by three frames to nil in the best-of-five frames of the Kences Constructions-ASCA International Snooker Championship 2012.

As former UN secretary general Kofi Annan’s peace plan struggles to make headway, there are few good options to deal with what are likely to be years of unrest and socioeconomic and political instability. The Annan plan called for a Syrian-led political process under UN supervision to bring about a...

The Red Cross said Wednesday it will try to evacuate hundreds of civilians trapped by fierce fighting in and around the restive city of Homs, as violence killed dozens of people across Syria.

Flame, reportedly a U.S. cyber weapon targeting Iran, was being actively updated as recently as March and apparently was directed by an individual rather than being automated, according to Bit9 research.

Hosni Mubarak’s move out of jail to a Cairo military hospital where officials said he was slipping in and out of a coma on Wednesday has created a fresh sense of uncertainty for Egyptians as the wait for results of a presidential election drags on.