News Archive - 7 December 2012

>* Report to Congress was required by Aug sanctions law* GAO did not determine whether investments were sanctionableBy Roberta RamptonWASHINGTON, Dec 7 (Reuters) - At least seven companies from China, India, South Korea and South Africa continued to have investments in Iran's oil and gas sectors in 2012 even as...

>The settlement, which is expected to include the U.S. Justice Department and the Manhattan district attorney, f ollows a $340 million settlement that the bank reached in August with the New York Department of Financial Services.That settlement came after the New York regulator analyzed whether Standard Chartered had...

>* Unlikely to affect Russia's stance on biggest issues* Moscow vows to respond in kind to bill to bar abusersBy Steve GuttermanMOSCOW, Dec 8 (Reuters) - The U.S. Senate's passage of legislation to punish Russians who violate human rights is the first big test of Vladimir Putin and Barack...

>* Iran missile program drives billions in defense spending* Report for Congress says Iran may be falling behind goalBy Jim WolfWASHINGTON, Dec 7 (Reuters) - An internal report for the U.S. Congress has concluded that Iran probably is no longer on track, if it ever was, to having an...

>* Sanctions seek to cut funding to Iran nuclear program* Clinton: Iran to face more pressure without changes* EU, US sanctions costing Iran $5 bln a month -US TreasuryBy Timothy Gardner and Roberta RamptonWASHINGTON, Dec 7 (Reuters) - The United States granted 180-day waivers on Iran sanctions to China, India...

>* Hamas leader says recent war with Israel protects him* Conflict increases his appeal among Palestinians* Arab Spring helps Hamas start to overcome pariah statusBy Samia NakhoulBEIRUT, Dec 7 (Reuters) - Fifteen years after Israel tried to assassinate him in Jordan, Islamist leader Khaled Meshaal says the Jewish state would...

This is something I had hoped never to be writing about, not because it's secret, but rather because it is so gruesome I had purposely never brought it up, nor was I ever inclined to discuss the issue. It is one of those kernels of information best left unsaid...

Nasrin Sotoudeh is in an Iranian jail for her activism, but her latest protest was personal: he daughter’s right to travel. By Sarah Shourd.

Until recently, the cost of extracting gas and, in some cases, oil from shale has been prohibitive. But the combination of two innovative technologies has changed all that.

The Sharjah Police, on Friday, seized 43,680 tramadol tablets and other pills from a dhow named Barry at the Sharjah Creek.

WASHINGTON — Growing fear that civil war in Syria could unleash the world’s first use of chemical weapons in nearly three decades is based on two grim scenarios — neither considered likely but both carrying risks of civilian massacre and a major escalation of violence.

The bitter conflicts can be triggered by cultural misunderstanding, suspicion of racism or, perhaps most significantly, religious belief not yet tempered by Canada’s relatively secular culture, say doctors, lawyers and ethicists familiar with the disputes

A thousand varieties of ornamental, seasonal and fruit-bearing plants are blooming in Sharjah this winter, spreading their fragrance and captivating the hearts of nature lovers. And all this on a kilometre stretch of land near Sharjah’s Al Jubail Bus Terminal.

Oil rises above $88 despite ample US oil stocks Associated Press Copyright 2012 Associated Press. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed. Updated 4:19 a.m., Thursday, December 6, 2012 BANGKOK (AP) — Oil prices rose Thursday despite disappointing retail sales figures in Europe...

Shortly before the mysterious bombing of a weapons factory in Khartoum in October, an Israeli operative code name PP0277 left a remote site near Sde Boker in Israel's Negev desert.

WASHINGTON (Reuters) - U.S. Secretary of State Hillary Clinton will testify on a report expected to be released next week on the deadly attack on the U.S. diplomatic post in Benghazi, Libya, a top Republican lawmaker said on Friday. Related Stories Iran's long-range missiles said to lag U.

Mr. Harper’s unwavering support for Israel has come under scrutiny among those trying to understand why, exactly, the conservative leader has taken such a strong interest in protecting a tiny Jewish state on the other side of the world — no matter the international or domestic political cost

TOKYO : Japan on Friday ordered its military to shoot down a North Korean rocket if it threatens the nation’s territory as Washington put anti-missile destroyers into position, ramping up pressure on Pyongyang.

YANGON (Reuters) - Myanmar's government has apologised for injuries, including serious burns, suffered last month by monks and others when riot police cleared camps set up to protest against evictions caused by the expansion of a copper mine. Related Stories Iran's long-range missiles said to lag U.S. intelligence fears...

By The Associated Press WASHINGTON — Growing fear that civil war in Syria could unleash the world’s first use of chemical weapons in nearly three decades is based on ...

CAIRO (Reuters) - Prime Minister Mohamed Mursi was expected to press ahead on Saturday with talks on ways to end Egypt's worst crisis since he took office even though the country's main opposition leaders have vowed to stay away. Related Stories Most sex abuser priests are psychologically normal - German...

In his office overlooking Parliament, David Miliband examines the wedding ring lying in his hand. It is a gold band, 92 years old, slightly dulled by the passage of time.

Starting in 2013, visitors to Canada from 29 countries and a territory must pay an extra $85 for Ottawa to collect their fingerprints and photos.

Oil prices down amid sagging Europe retail sales Associated Press Copyright 2012 Associated Press. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed. Updated 9:19 p.m., Wednesday, December 5, 2012 BANGKOK (AP) — Oil prices fell Thursday after disappointing retail sales figures in Europe dampened...

A senior al-Qaida official and potential successor to the group’s leader Ayman al-Zawahiri was killed Friday morning in a Predator drone strike, according to reports on jihadi web forums and U.S. officials.

Lights, Camera, Action. Hollywood often puts out its best work to celebrate the holidays and to prepare the stage for the Oscars. From action-packed thrillers, to rich classics, and larger-than-life fables, these films transport audiences for a few hours into far away and fantastical worlds. Director Joe Wright's Anna Karenina,...

Syrian rebels fighting to topple President Bashar Assad have declared Damascus International Airport a "legitimate target" in a bid to cut off regime supplies, as clashes between government troops and rebels forced the closure of the airport road for the second time this week. Related Stories Carnival tradition 'world treasure'...

With concern over the Syrian regime?s chemical weapons stockpile reaching a fever pitch this week, international experts are cautioning against alarmism, saying there?s no confirmation that the Syrians are mixing… Click to Continue »

This image from amateur video AP obtained from Ugarit News has been authenticated based on its contents and other AP reporting and shows a rebel firing a weapon around a corner at Syrian government forces in Damascus, Syria Friday Dec. 7, 2012. Fighting around the Syrian capital has intensified in...

Weight has begun to find its way to the Obama Administration strategy known as the "light footprint", based on the principle of containment from afar in order to avoid playing a direct role in conflicts. The approval by the North Atlantic Alliance (NATO) of the deployment of Patriot missiles...

Oil's Dominance is Secure Far Into the Future

MANAMA, Bahrain (AP) — Bahrain's Shiite religious leaders must more forcefully denounce violence as a key step to ease the kingdom's 22-month uprising, the country's crown prince said Friday at the opening of an international security conference.

We all know what the the jingling noise outside the Freddies this time of year means. But despite their holiday familiarity, donations to the Salvation Army's 150 Portland area bell ringers are down by 45 percent, the nonprofit says. Just $286,195 has been donated so far, or 32 percent of...

Growing fear that war in Syria could unleash the world's first use of chemical weapons in nearly three decades is based on two grim scenarios - neither considered likely but both carrying risks of civilian massacre and a major escalation of violence.

The Pentagon is bracing for the fiscal cliff. This week the White House Budget Office directed…

>* Germany, United States also set to send missiles* Russia says NATO moving towards involvement in Syrian conflictBy Sara Webb and Anthony DeutschAMSTERDAM, Dec 7 (Reuters) - Dutch Prime Minister Mark Rutte said on Friday the government has agreed to send two Patriot missile systems to reinforce Turkey's air defences...

The Iranian company Tadbir Energy is bidding to buy the Petit-Couronne oil refinery from the French company Petroplus, which has gone into insolvency.

The Iranian Nobel Peace Laureate Shirin Ebadi has joined with Amnesty International, Justice for Iran and the Advocacy Council for the Right to Education to call for the immediate and unconditional release of all political prisoners, including jailed student activists, on the occasion of National Students Day.

Rainfall in Tehran has brought a much needed relief from the extreme pollution that had engulfed the city in recent days and caused major health concerns. -Rouhollah Yazdani

I'm sure most of you have heard of the typical Iranian jokes that are exchanged at family gatherings, between friends and neighbors. Have you ever paid attention to the content of these jokes? Who are they referring to? To us, Iranians. But they are always targeting a certain ethnic minority.

The Arab Spring has spurred the election of three Islamist-led governments in Egypt, Tunisia, and Libya.

Geoffrey Robertson believes it is time to act on rogue nuclear regimes, writes Karen Kissane.

Iran’s electricity exports to neighboring states have increased by about 40 percent as the Islamic Republic is helping them overcome regular power outages.

NEW HAVEN - Former British Prime Minister Tony Blair said Monday the cease-fire in Gaza is a temporary respite, at best, and that peace negotiations throughout the Middle East require a nimble rethinking of conventional assumptions.

India's Shagun Choudhury fired a total of 83 (64+19) to clinch the silver medal in the women's individual trap event and the trap gold went to the hosts in the 2nd Asian Shooting Championship Patiala.

Miami's cultural leaders gathered to kick off Art Basel Week at the JW Marriott Hotel Miami for a tribute to the City's arts pioneers who helped transform the community into a global art destination. ...

Oil prices decoupled themselves yesterday from the 30 second news snippets associated with the US fiscal cliff negotiations and rather were driven by the prospects for slow economic growth and a growing surplus of oil. This week's EIA oil inventory report was biased to the bearish side after a huge...

The game, it will be changing.

BEIRUT (AP) — Syrian rebels fighting to topple President Bashar Assad declared Damascus International Airport a "legitimate target" Friday in a bid to cut off regime supplies, as clashes between government troops and rebels forced the closure of the airport road for the second time this week.

Geoffrey Robertson thinks he might owe his existence to the nuclear bombing of Hiroshima.

(AP) A senior commander of Iran's powerful Revolutionary Guard claimed Friday that Western sanctions are helpful because they promote Iranian self-sufficiency and insisted the country's leaders …

>* Sinopec Maoming just started 200,000 bpd crude unit* Sinopec to raise Iraqi oil imports by similar amountBy Chen Aizhu and Judy HuaBEIJING, Dec 7 (Reuters) - China's crude oil imports from Saudi Arabia are likely to rise about 11 percent next year, faster than this year's growth rate, as...

Exercise Falcon Virgo Concluded Thursday The North American Aerospace Defense Command and its geographical component, the Continental United States NORAD Region (CONR), have been conducting an air defense exercise in the National Capital Region (NCR) in the early morning hours this week which concluded about 0400 EST Thursday.

"The lack of national consensus on NASA's most publicly visible human spaceflight goal along with budget uncertainty has undermined the agency's ability to guide program planning and allocate funding." Source: Albert Carnesale, chancellor emeritus and professor at the University of California, Los Angeles.

At the 5th International Young Mathematicians' Convention held in Lucknow, India from Dec. 1 to 4, the Filipinos won 12 gold medals, one silver and two bronze medals.

FAA Office Of Accident Prevention The FAA's Office of Accident Prevention is intended to be a clearing house for resources, allowing the FAA to better understand current and emerging risks across the aviation community.

Also: LightSquared Returns?, Trig Transponder, Iran Drone Claims, First A350 Moves, R.I.P. Spidernaut... Pilots of light sport and experimental aircraft will welcome the news that Dynon Avionics is now shipping the SV-ADSB-470 UAT Band Traffic and Weather Receiver for the SkyView system. This remotely mounted receiver module...

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India, S. Korea, Turkey and others are likely to be exempted from Iranian financial sanctions a reward for reducing crude purchases.

Kurds in Syria will attract special attention from the triangle states of Turkey, Iran, and Iraq. Syria is the epicenter of powerful countries’ interests and the Syrian Kurdish issue is multi-dimensional.