News Archive - 12 November 2012

PART 1 PART 2 PART 3 PART 4 (LAST)

>* To involve 8,000 troops, test planes, defence systems - media* Iran warplanes fired on U.S. drone over Gulf Nov. 1, U.S. saysDUBAI, Nov 12 (Reuters) - Iran launched military drills across half the country on Monday, warning it would act against aggressors less than a week after...

>WASHINGTON (Reuters) - With the U.S. election over and Syria's civil war growing bloodier and spreading, the Obama administration is quietly re-examining its options for involvement in the conflict. Whether that will lead to a change in strategy remains unclear. President Barack Obama and his advisers are extremely cautious,...

>* Western, Arab powers had been pushing for unity* New body seen forming government to win international aid* Reformist Muslim preacher chosen quickly as presidentBy Rania El Gamal and Regan DohertyDOHA, Nov 12 (Reuters) - Syria's new opposition leadership, painfully forged under Arab and Western pressure, set out on Monday...

>The International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) believes Tehran may have conducted explosives tests that could help develop nuclear weapons at Parchin and may be cleaning up the site to remove evidence. Iran has denied this, saying Parchin is a conventional military complex.IAEA chief Yukiya Amano has pressed Iran to...

-1 of 9- 13 Nov 2012 03:16:00 UTC  DJ EANS-Adhoc: Weatherford Reports Third Quarter Pre-Tax Results =------------------------------------------------------------------------------- ad-hoc disclosure transmitted by euro ...

On Oct. 24, The Central Recorder, the student newspaper at Central Connecticut State University, reported that when the United Nation’s General Assembly convened in New York in late September,

Washington, Nov 13 (IANS) Amid an all-time high international education exchanges, fewer Indian students are coming to America, while there is a surge of Chinese and Saudi students while more American students are going to India.

TEHRAN, Nov. 13 (MNA) - Iran’s Energy Fund has allocated $900 million for implementing development projects at offshore oilfields in the current Iranian calendar year, which ends on March 20, 2013, IRNA quoted Iranian Offshore Oil Company (IOOC) managing director Mahmoud Zirakchianzadeh as saying.

Israel is considering resuming its contentious practice of assassinating militant leaders in the Hamas-ruled Gaza Strip in an effort to halt intensified rocket attacks on Israel's south, according to defense officials.

Regulated information november 13, 2012 TiGenix signs agreement for commercialization of ChondroCelect in the Middle East Leuven (Belgium) - November 13, 2012 - TiGenix NV (Euronext Brussels: TIG) and pharmaceutical marketing and distribution …

>* Euro falls to 2-mth low vs dollar after no deal on Greece* Threat-focused Iran launches biggest ever air drillsBy Manash GoswamiSINGAPORE, Nov 13 (Reuters) - Brent crude slipped below $109 on Tuesday, declining for a second day on worries about demand growth in a well supplied market, as the...

New research report “Global Markets for Natural Gas Vehicle Components” worked out by SBI has been recently published by Market Publishers Ltd. According to the study, the Asia-Pacific is the leading natural gas cars market, with Iran and Pakistan on the top of the list.London, UK (PRWEB) November 12,...

Substantial shifts on Iran, Syria, Afghanistan and other touchy topics are possible with President Obama securely seated in the White House. WASHINGTON — The Obama administration has begun to reassess its foreign policy on a range of challenges, including Iran, Syria, Afghanistan and missile defense, that were viewed as too...

Raza Gul works backbreaking hours in a tiny Afghan bakery to provide for her children, her one source of joy. Without them, there's only her husband's opium addiction and worries about the Taliban. KABUL, Afghanistan — Raza Gul trudges the half-mile to work through a maze of brick and mud...

Iran and Japan can all but sew up their spots at the 2014 World Cup, with wins in AFC qualifying this week.

President Obama's postelection trip to Southeast Asia presages a greater second-term focus on that region, but some foreign-policy analysts say that shouldn't distract from the need to build better alliances with U.S. neighbors, which could be key to restoring the nation's sluggish economy. Nowhere is that more apparent than...

FIFA.com speaks to Juan Lozano, the Colombia goalkeeper whose remarkable performance against Iran caused one of the shocks of the tournament here at Thailand 2012.

The lawyer representing the woman who was the mistress of former CIA-director David Petraeus works for the same firm as the lawyer who represented Monica Lewinsky. An assistant to Washington Lawyer Robert F. Muse told ABC News that Muse is representing Paula Broadwell, the biographer...

With the Internet making it easier than ever to showcase causes and fund projects directly, a new breed of socially aware, passion-fueled philanthropy has emerged. But what is the standard for effective giving in this era?

>* Lockheed targeting sales to commercial firms, foreign gov'tsBy Andrea Shalal-EsaWASHINGTON, Nov 12 (Reuters) - The Pentagon's No. 1 supplier, Lockheed Martin Corp, on Monday cited dramatic growth in the number and sophistication of international cyber attacks on its networks and said it was contacting suppliers to help them shore...

Braxton Southwick is convinced a weaponized smallpox terrorist attack, or something similarly horrible, is inevitable. He's read Revelations. He watches news about nuclear saber rattling, financial meltdowns, mega-storms rendering populations helpless for days.

New photography from the Middle East

You would have thought that David Hockney had made a big enough splash already with his recent landscape show at the Royal Academy. But, no, here he is again providing not just the opening work but also the title of Tate Modern's survey of performance art.

Iran unveiled its new super agile "Tondar" combat hovercraft yesterday, and every kid is going to want one for Christmas. The "Tondar," or Thunderbolt , fires off drones, missiles, and machine guns — and it's speedy enough to perform reconnaissance missions.

WASHINGTON: President Barack Obama's national security adviser met on Monday with his Israeli counterpart at the White House for talks on the conflict in Syria and Iran's nuclear program, officials said.

Alleged Failed Hit Revealed in New Documentary

JEDDAH: Saudi Arabia has accused Iran of straying into its territory near oil and gas fields in the Gulf and warned it was looking at how to respond, the Saudi ambassador to the United Nations said.

Nov. 12: The waspish exchange of barbs between Salman Rushdie and John le Carre established itself as one of the most public feuds in modern literature, but le Carre has said their mutual loathing has finally come to an end.

New Delhi, Nov. 12: Afghan President Hamid Karzai today hoped a younger and more dynamic leader would replace him when he retires in 2014.

Tom Donilon, the U.S. national security adviser, discussed Iran with top Israeli security officials.

Syed Iqbal Haider, who passed away in Karachi at age 67 had been a law minister, an Attorney General for Pakistan, and two-term PPP Senator. Yet he distinguished himself for vastly greater things, standing up for his principles and defending the rights of weaker sections of society.

When David Petraeus got the job of CIA chief, he knew what job #1 was: find out everything he could about al-Qaida and its allies -- and then assist in their removal from the land of living. It's time give that a rest, two former leaders of the Central Intelligence...

GENEVA, Nov. 12, 2012 -- Forty parliamentarians and human rights activists from 19 different countries ended their protest campaign today, in a failure to get the U.S. or the EU to even verbally oppose Venezuela's bid for a seat on the U.N.'s top rights body, and they...

The exercise comes at a time of increasing animosity between Iran and the West. Iran's hyped-up defense preparation mirrors joint military exercises by the United States and Israel read more

India and Afghanistan on Monday discussed the need for a strategic economic partnership between them with Afghan President Hamid Karzai urging PM Manmohan Singh to drive more investments into his country.

U.S. seen overtaking Saudis as biggest oil producer by Pablo Gorondi The Associated Press Published Nov 12, 2012 09:09AM MDT The United States will become the world’s largest oil producer by around 2020, temporarily overtaking Saudi Arabia, as new exploration technologies help find more resources, the International Energy Agency...

Mouaz Alkhatib, a former imam of a Damascus mosque, flew to Cairo to seek the Arab League's blessing for a new assembly, the day after he was unanimously elected to lead it

The so-called “fiscal cliff” has finally reached the point where it has broken through into popular culture. But those of you who depend on late-night comedy for your policy analysis may be dismayed to learn that the quality of reporting on this vital issue is decidedly uneven.

Prime Minister David Cameron has defended his decision to fly to the Gulf to promote British defence exports to countries that have been criticised over human rights.

Brigadier General Harry Miller was garrison commander at Fort Drum in 2010, 2011.

Officials of the Simon Wiesenthal Center met with Ecuadorian authorities to seek their support in asking Cuba to release American prisoner Alan Gross.

Prime minister David Cameron has defended his decision to fly to the Gulf and promote British defence exports to countries criticised over their human rights...

In winning re-election against all logic and reason — President Obama’s current term fell short of expectations on the very premises of economic recovery, an improved international climate and the res

BEIJING (Reuters) - In 2007, a year before Beijing hosted the Olympics, China's Communist rulers made a special effort at a five-yearly congress to show the world transparency and grant rare open access to foreign media. Related Stories HSBC settles with investor over Madoff loss Bank break-up an option if...

The United States will become the world's largest oil producer by around 2020, temporarily overtaking Saudi Arabia, as new exploration technologies help find more resources, the International Energy Agency forecast on Monday.

Figures out that 'boiling the ocean' is hard

An influential Iranian lawmaker said Sattar Beheshti, a blogger who died while in captivity, had not been tortured during interrogations, but called for further investigation.

Ralph DeQuebec lost his legs in Afghanistan to an improvised explosive device. Buy Photo

The Syrian crisis cannot be solved with simple quarantine methods, Turkish Ambassador to Washington Namık Tan has said, reiterating that Turkey and the United States are on the same page concerning the crisis.

Iran's vice president said Monday that Tehran will break the 'grasping hands' of newly re-elected President Barack Obama, the official IRNA news agency reported.

In statement released after meeting summoned by Hamas, groups stipulate ceasefire on Israel's ending of blockade on Gaza, reserve right to 'respond to Israeli breach.'

Espakhou fire temple is one of the oldest structures in Iran's North Khorasan province. According to the studies and excavations by the experts, this ancient temple belongs to the Sassanid era (AD 224-AD 651). -Ehsan Kamaly

The International Center for Human Rights (ICHR) announced today that Mr. Abbas Amir Entezam, the longest-serving political prisoner in Iran, is the recipient of 2012 prestigious human rights award from ICHR for his human rights activities.

Six young men have been sentenced to writing articles about the environment over illegal hunting at an Iranian national park. The decision was made at a court in the town of Zarqan in Fars Province

Report: U.S. will be world’s largest oil producer by 2020 by Pablo Gorondi The Associated Press Published Nov 12, 2012 12:17PM MDT The United States will become the world’s largest oil producer by around 2020, temporarily overtaking Saudi Arabia, as new exploration technologies help find more resources, the International...

Modern Iran the third book in the Culture of Iran Youth series covers life in Iran from the 18th century to the present time. It starts with the Qajar dynasty, their attempt to modernize the country and their contributions to the visual and performing arts in Iran.

An Iranian website linked to the Islamic Republic News Agency reported on Monday that three of Sattar Beheshti's interrogators have been arrested in connection with the probe into the prisoner's death while in custody.

The great substantial art exhibition held on Persian Gardens at Tehran Museum of Contemporary Arts in 2004 and registration of Persian Gardens on the list of UNESCO World Heritage in 2011, make it opportune to refer to a vital significant point hidden from the eyes of researchers of the subject...

TEHRAN, Iran (AP) - Iran's state prosecutor confirms that a jailed blogger died in police custody last week, and wounds were found on his body. It's the first official confirmation of Sattar Beheshti's death in custody.

The JetBlue Airways pilot whose behavior on a flight forced the plane to make an emergency landing in Texas was ordered conditionally released by a federal judge in Amarillo, Texas, on Friday.

U.S. energy independence must be true. The International Energy Agency just devoted its World Energy Outlook 2012 telling us so. America will become the largest liquid producer on earth by 2017; it will be entirely self-sufficient by 2030; and a net exporter by 2035. Boom. Epic stuff.

>* IRISL hurting from mounting sanctions pressureBy Jonathan Saul and Alison LeungLONDON/HONG KONG, Nov 12 (Reuters) - Hong Kong will stop allowing 19 ships linked to the Islamic Republic of Iran Shipping Lines (IRISL) from operating under its flag, a government letter showed, in the latest blow to Tehran's sanctions-hit...

>In a letter to U.N. Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon, Saudi authorities said Iranian helicopters flew several times over a gas field at Hasba, Abdullah al-Mualimi was quoted as saying in the daily newspaper Okaz on Monday.The letter also said two Iranian navy boats intercepted a vessel belonging to state-owned...

Our film critic Matt Chapman reviews Ben Affleck's latest film about a team of fugitive US diplomats who fabricate a sci-fi film to escape from Iran.

New Protiviti Anti-Money Laundering Guide Provides Insights into Challenges and Strategies for Managing Money Laundering Risks

Argo is the third feature from director Ben Affleck, following on from the decent The Town and his thought provoking debut Gone, Baby Gone. Argo is based on the true story of six employees of the US Embassy in Tehran, who escaped and hid in the Canadian Ambassador’s house just...

Islamabad, Nov 12 (IANS) More than a dozen countries, including India, China and Iran, are participating in a conference here to counter the menace of illicit drugs.

The 42nd Rotterdam Fest will also feature a special live music event with Sound Stages devoted to cinema acoustics. read more

Iran's military is to test a new air defense system modeled after the U.S. Hawk system as tensions with the West escalate over the country's suspect nuclear program, the Iranian state TV reported Monday.

>* Trying settle Iran payment through Halkbank -sources* May buy Iran oil in January-March -sourceBy Nidhi VermaNEW DELHI, Nov 12 (Reuters) - India's HPCL-Mittal Energy Ltd (HMEL), part-owned by steel tycoon Lakshmi Mittal, plans to stop importing oil from Iran, a company spokesman said, in a move that could hurt...

All films screened in commercial cinemas are changed on Wednesday. Generally, shows begin at 10:30am, 1:30pm, 3:30pm, 6:30pm, 9:30pm and sometimes midnight, especially on week-ends. Special film seasons and screenings are held in cultural centres listed below commercial cinemas.

TEHRAN, Nov. 12 (MNA) – Iranian Foreign Minister Ali Akbar Salehi held a meeting with Tuvalu's Minister of Foreign Affairs Apisai Ielemia in Tehran on Sunday discussing issues of mutual interest.

TEHRAN, Nov 12 (Bernama) -- Iran exported US$238.2 million worth of carpets during the first seven months of the current Iranian calendar year, which began on March 20, the Mehr News Agency (MNA) quoted National Iranian Carpet Centre's deputy director Mojtaba Fayzollahi as saying on Sunday.

TEHRAN, Nov. 12 (MNA) – New domestically designed defense systems will be unveiled during the four-day joint air defense exercise of the Armed Forces and the Islamic Revolutionary Guards Corps (IRGC), which begins today, the spokesperson for the maneuvers said on Sunday.

“We hope that this agreement will yield good results for both countries,” Armenian Justice Minister Hrayr Tovmasyan said.

Bhubaneswar, Nov 12 (IANS) At least one lakh migratory birds from places as far as Siberia, Iran, Iraq and Afghanistan have arrived at Odisha's Chilika Lake -- India's largest brackish water lagoon -- since October, an official said Monday.

TEHRAN, Iran (AP) - A semi-official Iranian news agency reports that the Islamic Republic's vice president has said Tehran will break the 'grasping hands' of newly re-elected President Barack Obama.

COEUR d'ALENE - Every year, Sue Sausser makes it to the Veterans Day ceremony in Coeur d'Alene.