News Archive - 1 December 2012

The United States is open to bilateral talks about Iran's nuclear program if Tehran is "ever ready," Reuters quoted U.S. Secretary of State Hillary Clinton as saying on Friday.

>BEIRUT (Reuters) - Syrian jets bombed rebel-held areas of Damascus on Saturday, residents said, as the opposition indicated it could accept an international peacekeeping force if President Bashar al-Assad is forced from power. Warplanes attacked the Damascus suburbs of Kafar Souseh and Darraya, according to the Syrian Observatory for Human...

>Esfandiar Rahim Mashaie has provoked the ire of Ahmadinejad's conservative rivals, who accuse him of trying to undermine Iran's theocratic system. Ahmadinejad has defended his closest aide throughout the attacks.In a statement on Saturday, Ahmadinejad thanked Mashaie for his service, appointing him to a position in the Non-Aligned Movement,...

DUBAI, Dec 1 (Reuters) - The head of Tehran's cyber policeunit has been dismissed over the death in custody of an Iranianblogger, police said on Saturday, in a case that has sparkedinternational condemnation and led to Iranian calls for anofficial investigation. Sattar Beheshti, a little-known 35-year-old blogger who wascritical of...

TEHRAN, Dec. 2 (MNA) -- Iran opened the 2012 FINA World Youth Water Polo Championships with a victory over Trinidad Tobago.

TEHRAN, Dec. 2 (MNA) – The Iranian ambassador to the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) has warned the West about repercussions of any acts of adventurism against Iran.

TEHRAN, Dec. 2 (MNA) -- Iran-Pakistan gas pipeline will be completed on schedule in 2014 despite the U.S pressures to head off the project.

TEHRAN, dec. 2 (MNA) – In a decree issued on Saturday, President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad appointed Esfandiar Rahim Mashaii, who formerly served as the Presidential Office chief of staff, as the head of the temporary secretariat of the Non-Aligned Movement in Tehran.

Even with civil war engulfing the country, the peaceful demonstrations that kicked off the rebellion against the government of President Bashar Assad so long ago continue, at least in this part of Syria. Often, the target is no longer the Assad regime but the rebels who now rule in many...

TEHRAN, Dec. 2 (MNA) -- Four Iranian cineastes have won awards in the short films section of the 3rd No to Violence Film Festival, which was held in Erbil, Iraq, from November 25 to 28.

Iran has stationed defence staff in North Korea since late October apparently to strengthen cooperation in missile and nuclear development, Japan’s Kyodo News agency reported on Sunday, citing a Western diplomatic source.

Egypt's Morsi: Dec. 15 referendum on constitution... Syrian Internet largely restored after blackout... Iraq says it can't search all Syria-bound planes... Israel thanks Czech Republic for support at UN... Iran's president promotes controversial aide... New clashes in 5th day of protest in Tunisian town...

On Tuesday, delegates met for the opening sessions of the AWG-KP, AWG-LCA and the ADP. The SBI plenary was also resumed. Participants heard opening statements from negotiating groups and gave preliminary consideration to the various agenda items under these bodies.

(Fixes typographical error in headline) TOKYO, Dec 2 (Reuters) - Iran has stationed defence staff inNorth Korea since late October apparently to strengthencooperation in missile and nuclear development, Japan's KyodoNews agency reported on Sunday, citing a Western diplomaticsource. The report came as North Korea said on Saturday it wouldcarry out...

After almost three decades of trading, a 50-year-old traditional dhow, which has witnessed Sharjah’s golden years of sea trade transporting goods between Sharjah and the Gulf, Africa and the Sub-Continent, is now magnificently converted into the only ‘floating restaurant’ at the Khalid Lagoon near the Central Souk.

The air corridor over Iraq has emerged as a supply route for weapons for the beleaguered government of Syrian President Bashar al-Assad, including rockets, antitank missiles, rocket-propelled grenade and mortars, The New York Times reported late Saturday.

Apart from my studies, I also assist my family in business. Though Dubai is a great place to live in, several services are aimed at the benefit of locals.

The Pentagon, in a major expansion of its intelligence gathering activities, plans to assemble an espionage network rivaling the Central Intelligence Agency in size, The Washington Post reported.

The 32nd session of the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC) was held from 11-14 October 2010 in Busan, Republic of Korea.

During the meeting , the Panel focused mainly on the scoping process for the Fifth Assessment Report (AR5) with a view to providing guidance to the climate change experts who will define the outline of the AR5 during the AR5 scoping meeting to be held in Venice, Italy, from 13-17...

Emily Harris follows her shot during practice while head coach Tom Esposito looks on at Whittell High School on Wednesday. Dec. 14 @ Loyalton 6 p.m. Dec. 22 vs. Silver Stage 2 p.m.

After the first presidential debate on Oct. 3, when President Barack Obama was criticized for looking lethargic and uninterested, Rita Ann Snipes found a greeting card with a bright, cheery sun at the top. It tells the reader to look up to the sunshine and keep on smiling, and it...

MONTREAL (CP) — Quebec’s corruption inquiry has wrapped up its public hearings for the year after weeks of bombshell-laden testimony that blew up two mayors’ careers and managed to rattle the realm of politics, business and organized crime. The...

Two days before the Nov. 6, U.S. Sen. Mark Kirk (R-Ill.) made a surprising accomplishment. Wearing a brace on his left leg, he climbed the steps of the Willis Tower — 37 floors, from the 66th floor to the 103rd — during the Rehab Institute of Chicago’s annual...

A Christian Iranian MP has said the UN resolution on the human rights situation in Iran was a political move and known violators of human rights are in no position to judge Iran.

The Palestinian terrorist group Hamas, which controls the small terrorist base camp called Gaza, went to war against Israel last month, raining down hundreds of rockets on Israeli civilian areas.

VIRGINIA BEACH — With cannoli and cocktails, sticky s’mores and local beer, statewide Republican candidates eager to put November’s losses behind them turned toward 2013, and more toward their base. The annual gathering known as the Republican Advance kicked off with a smorgasbord battle waged by GOP candidates for governor,...

The single most important cultural fact behind Light from the Middle East is that the representation of the human form is traditionally discouraged in Islamic societies, and under the more extreme Sunni regimes – Saudi Arabia, Afghanistan under the Taliban – that discouragement is closer to a taboo. God created...

By Bill Goldcamp For the Herald/Review The U.S. started the nuclear age when it dropped two atomic bombs on Japan in 1945. Ever since then, well-meaning people worldwide have given obligatory lip service to trying to put the genie back in the bottle through treaties and supposed trust on...

Voterama in Congress WASHINGTON — Here’s how area members of Congress voted on major issues in the week ending Nov. 30.

In my vision of the future of GNSS, I see a pressing need to manage radio-frequency spectrum more efficiently.

This shocking, top-secret United Nations report has just fallen into my laptop from the shadowy whistleblower service, Sneakypeeks. I cannot be certain of its authenticity, but it has the ring of truth.

While Gov. Sean Parnell is praising the Alaska Retirement Management Board for unloading the stocks of untrustworthy companies that do business in Iran, if he is really serious about th...

(MENAFN - AFP) A Russian diplomat on Saturday called a planned pipeline linking gas-rich Turkmenistan with Europe via the Caspian Sea a political project of the West that could cause tensions ...

A walk along the Orontes River reveals the crosscurrents of the civil war.

Aircraft manufacturer Boeing has created a weapon that can knock out computers by targeting buildings with microwaves that disable computers but do not harm people.

According to Marat Šibutova, “the situation is quite simple. Iran needs to have a few new ways to obtain goods by land and exports. Journey to the West by Iran is poorly, especially if deposed (leader Bashar) Al-Assad. In the South Indian Ocean, dominated by American and Indian fleets.

>WASHINGTON (Reuters) - The U.S. Senate is set to consider a broader set of economic sanctions on Iran's energy, port, shipping and shipbuilding sectors, as lawmakers look for new ways to pressure Tehran to stop efforts to enrich uranium to levels that could be used in weapons. The new...

NIAC Policy Director Jamal Abdi released the following statement regarding the Senate's passage of new Iran sanctions as part of the Defense Authorization: This is not the total embargo that hardliners were pushing, but is another incremental step towards the full exhaustion of sanctions and to a military endgame.

Born in Tehran in Dec. 1938, Bahram Beyzaie is a well-known Iranian critic, researcher, teacher, playwright, stage director (and producer), screenwriter and filmmaker (director, producer and editor). He was first introduced to western audiences at the age of 25, when his play was staged at the Festival du Theater des...

The director of Tehran's Air Quality Control Company has said that air pollution in the metropolis of Tehran has reached an "unhealthy" level. And according to forecasts, air pollution in Tehran will increase in the coming days due to the inversion effect, Rashidi added.

The dismissal of the commander, Gen. Saeed Shokrian, follows investigations by Parliament and Iran’s judiciary into the unexplained death of the blogger, Sattar Beheshti.

By backing anti-Palestinian policies, Prime Minister Stephen Harper has isolated Canada and undermined its once-honoured place in the world.

On November 18th, the Hollywood Iranian Filmmakers Association (HIFA) had their launch party and red carpet event in West Hollywood, where they screened some of their members films.

Iran's president appointed his divisive confidant to a high-profile post Saturday in a move widely viewed as an attempt to boost the close aide's profile ahead of his expected candidacy in next year's presidential elections.

As a gift to his people on the country’s 41st National Day, the President, His Highness Shaikh Khalifa bin Zayed Al Nahyan, on Saturday announced the launch of a new housing programme that aims to build 10,000 units throughout the country. He also pledged to speed up Emiratisation in both...

Syrian jets bombed rebel-held areas of Damascus, residents said, as the opposition indicated it could accept an international peacekeeping force if President Bashar al-Assad is forced from power.

WASHINGTON — Secretary of State Hillary Clinton criticized Iranian and Palestinian leaders, and didn’t spare Israel, either, in her address at the Saban Forum, continuing her trend of increased frankness as her time in the Obama administration winds down. Clinton gave the 30-minute keynote address...

As critics go after her comments on the Benghazi terrorist attack, Susan Rice's race, gender, and personality have become part of the debate over whether she should be the next Secretary of State. Even those who might have supported her are floating other names.

From the ice-bound passes of the Hindu Kush to the blazing heat of the Karakum Desert, Central Asia is a sub-continent steeped in illusion.

NICOSIA [MENL] -- Iran has pledged to sharply increase uranium enrichment. Officials said the Teheran regime intends to expand its uranium enrichment program through the production of gas centrifuges.

“I don’t know if I can make it,” Greg Clement told his wife, Jan. Jan didn’t respond.

Recognition of Syrian Opposition by France & Arab League culminating to nuclear war Prof. Bhim Singh, Chief Patron of National Panthers Party and Chairman of Indo-Arab Solidarity Council has condemned EU and Arab League decision to recognize terrorist groups in Syria as its representative which can not be accepted by...

KUWAIT CITY (AP) — Kuwait's deep political rifts took center stage in parliamentary elections Saturday as backers of the ruling establishment cast ballots while a broad opposition alliance staged a boycott and vowed to reject the outcome.

Palestinians have gone to the United Nations and received an upgrade to their international standing to non-member status.

>VIENNA (Reuters) - The United States set a March deadline on Thursday for Iran to start cooperating in substance with a U.N. nuclear agency investigation, warning Tehran the issue may otherwise be referred to the U.N. Security Council. The comments by U.S. diplomat Robert Wood to the...

An Iranian commander says the Islamic Republic’s Navy is ready to provide friendly and regional countries with warships and surface vessels if requested.

Iran’s envoy to the UN has called on the international community to force Israel into stopping the construction of Zionist settlements and destroy the separation barrier in Gaza Strip.

Internet and cell phone coverage were restored Saturday to most Syrian provinces, according to the Syrian Observatory for Human Rights, two days after a blackout shut down virtually all Internet service in the country. Residents in the capital, Damas...

Internet and cell phone coverage were restored Saturday to most Syrian provinces, according to the Syrian Observatory for Human Rights, two days after a blackout shut down virtually all Internet service in the country. Residents in the capital, Damascus, told CNN via Skype that their Internet and cell phone services...

Isang sundalo ang nasawi habang dalawa pa ang na­sugatan makaraang tambangan ng tinatayang mahigit sa 10 armadong mga rebeldeng New People’s Army (NPA) sa isang liblib na lugar sa Brgy. San Pedro, Albuera, Leyte nitong Biyernes ng hapon.

The Syrian regime was the only government in the world to lay new landmines this year, campaigners said Thursday as they issued an annual report on the use and effect of the devastating weapons.

Palestinians erupted in wild cheers Thursday, hugging each other, setting off fireworks and chanting ``God is great'' after the United Nations granted them, at least formally, what they have long yearned for — a state of their own.

KUWAIT CITY (AP) — Security forces watched over polling stations Saturday as Kuwait held parliamentary elections that underscored the deepening divide between the ruling establishment and opposition groups staging a widespread boycott of the voting.

An unnamed North Korean spokesperson said the launch will put an "polar orbiting observation satellite" in space, but Washington and U.N. feel it's to test illegal long range rocket capabilities.

TEHRAN - Tehran's cyber police chief has been sacked for negligence in events leading to the death in custody of an Iranian blogger, Iran's police said on its website on Saturday.

The films that continue to resonate are more likely to speak to their times than to speak directly about their times. In December 2001, the original production of Tony Kushner's globe-trotting drama "Homebody/Kabul" opened at a small New York theater. Kushner, author of "Angels In America" and the script for...

redOrbit Staff & Wire Reports – Your Universe Online Information about one of the Japanese space program's newest rockets was stolen from a desktop computer that had been infected with malware, officials from the organization revealed on Friday. A computer housed at the Japan Aerospace Exploration Agency's ( JAXA )...

BAGHDAD (AP) - Iraq's prime minister says his country is unable to search all Syria-bound Iranian planes that fly through Iraqi airspace. But Nouri al-Maliki said Saturday that Iraq is committed to preventing weapons from being shipped through the country to Syria.

The Finance Ministry has imposed definitive anti-dumping duty on caustic soda imports from Saudi Arabia, US, Iran and Japan. This duty will be valid for five years, unless revoked earlier.

Nirdesh K Singh who has been fort-hopping visited the Bada Imambara of Lucknow and returned with this story!

Canada’s $300 million in aid spending to the Palestinians is under review, as Foreign Affairs Minister John Baird readies himself for meetings in Ottawa next week with his senior diplomats from Israel, the West Bank and the UN missions in New York and Geneva.

TAHRIR SQUARE, CAIRO -- This was the place where the revolution began: the roundish square where Egyptians celebrated Mubarak's fall.

Rep. Peter King is stepping down as chair of the Homeland Security Committee -- will his replacement be any better?

TEHRAN, Dec. 1 (MNA) -- The 8th edition of the Ghazvin International Table Tennis Championship, which began on Thursday (November 29), will end tomorrow.

In a continued strategic attempt to knock down President Bashar al-Assad's air prowess, Syria's rebel fighters say they have beleaguered the country's main airport on one side.

The Pentagon plans to bring warfare into the 22nd century, creating a new system to "map" the digital battlefield of cyberspace, defining a playbook for deploying cyberweapons, and designating a management facility in Arlington, Va. to bring it all together.

Remarks at the Saban Center for Middle East Policy 2012 Saban Forum Opening Gala Dinner Remarks Hillary Rodham Clinton Secretary of State The Willard Hotel Washington, DC November 30, 2012 SECRETARY CLINTON: I am somewhat overwhelmed, but I’m obviously thinking I should sit down. (Laughter.) I prepared some remarks...