Obama meets Wen, wraps up China Nov 18, 2009
Obama's talks with the Chinese leadership have also covered Iran and North Korea, both nuclear trouble-spots where Washington and Beijing say they want to work together, but often disagree on how much pressure to apply. Wen visited North Korea early last month. (India Times)
Basmati prices shoot up Nov 18, 2009
The current prices mean that exporters are unlikely to sell the popular Pusa 1121 variety of basmati rice to biggest buyer Iran at anything less than $1050/tonne (f ... Ironically, topnotch basmati buyer Iran had hiked up its import tax on Indian basmati rice last year in tandem with the government's reduction of MEP. This year, it has imposed an signficantly higher tax of $200/tonne on basmati imports (an over 40% jump), not in order to earn revenue but primarily with a view to calibrating... (India Times)
Show Transcript: November 18 Nov 18, 2009
HENRY: But the Chinese president stopped far short of endorsing tough new sanctions against Iran, though both sides are pledging cooperation to stop North Korea's nuclear program just a couple of days before Mr. Obama visits South Korea, the final stop on this long Asian journey ... AZUZ: All right, Mr. Henry there mentioned Iran's nuclear program ... A new report from the International Atomic Energy Agency says the fact Iran kept the facility a secret brings up some serious questions. (CNN -- US)
Dejected Bahrain turn attention to Asian Cup Nov 17, 2009
In Group E Iran and second placed Thailand, coached by former England and Manchester United captain Bryan Robson, are closing in on places at the Finals ... Leaders and three-time champions Iran, who narrowly beat Jordan 1-0 at home on Saturday, face a tricky return against the bottom placed side on Sunday. (The Star Online, Malaysia -- Sports)
Rudd's foreign policy made on the run - and it's showing Nov 17, 2009
The Prime Minister's proposal for an Asia Pacific Community is treading water and Labor's election promise to haul Iran before the International Criminal Court for its nuclear program has been quietly shelved. None of these failures are isolated incidents. (Sydney Morning Herald -- Opinion)
Unfriend is US dictionary's 2009 word of the year Nov 17, 2009
Iran condemns Oxford for honoring slain protester. Iran has protested to an Oxford University college over a scholarship in memory of the slain Iranian student who became an icon of mass street protests sparked by the disputed June election. (Fresno Bee)
Auto part stocks at 52-week high Nov 17, 2009
With increased buying of Indian auto components by new markets like Turkey, Russia, Iran and Uzbekistan, there seems to be a ray of hope for the industry. "Some global companies are known to have entered into contractual arrangements with domestic suppliers who import components from abroad. This helps the vehicle producers to achieve the required indigenisation levels without actually producing these in India," CMIE said. (India Times)
Sharing space Nov 16, 2009
Furthering his interest in Islam and space travel, he also hopes to form an Islamic space agency, uniting the eight other Muslim astronauts from countries like Iran, Syria and Kazakhstan. All this seems like quite a lot for someone who will soon be juggling his work demands and a wife. (The Star Online, Malaysia)
Obama must maintain a delicate balance in China Nov 16, 2009
China has supported sterner sanctions to halt North Korea s nuclear weapons program, but it still balks at getting more aggressive about reining in Iran s uranium enrichment. Obama, Medvedev report progress on nuclear pact. (Boston Globe)
Obama in China faces tensions on trade and Tibet Nov 16, 2009
These events will be a warm-up for Obama's summit with President Hu Jintao in the capital on Tuesday that will cover trouble-spots such as North Korea and Iran, and efforts to forge a new climate 00004000 pact. Obama has said he will also raise the sensitive subjects of human rights, and sometimes tense trade ties and China's yuan currency , seen by U.S. industry as significantly undervalued and stoking unsustainable global economic imbalances. (India Times)
Breakfast With ... Nov 16, 2009
He is the author of several books including "The Post-American World." Dr. Zakaria talks about Afghanistan, Turkey, Iran and becoming a U.S. citizen ... As far as Iran, is it possible the government will implode. (Pittsburgh Post-Gazette, PA)
Iran artists in tug of war with government Nov 15, 2009
This Nov. 11, 2009 photo shows Iranian legendary singer Mohammad Reza Shajarian, performing in a ceremony commemorating the late musician Parviz Meshkatian in Tehran, Iran. (AP Photo/Fars News Agency, Ali Shaigan) Iran's greatest master of traditional music, Mohammad Reza Shajarian, always avoided open clashes with his country's ruling hard-line clerics ... What pushed Shajarian into action was the government's brutal crackdown on protests over the June 12 election that Shajarian and millions of... (Chippewa Falls Chippewa Herald, WI)
Nalco shelves SA project Nov 15, 2009
NEW DELHI: In a twin decision on its global operations involving about Rs 27,000-crore investment, the state-owned aluminium major Nalco has shelved its proposed project in South Africa, and has put on hold the one in Iran ... The Nalco official has also informed that the company has put on hold the Rs 10,000-crore Iranian project, which involved setting up a 3 ... "In Iran, we are still not able to tie up funds for the project. The project, thus, is currently on hold," Bagra said, adding,... (India Times)
Ordeal of child migrants Nov 15, 2009
Page last updated at 05:10 GMT, Sunday, 15 November 2009. Ordeal of Australia's child migrants. (BBC News -- UK)
Apec leaders drop climate target Nov 15, 2009
The two leaders also said they were unhappy with the pace of talks over Iran's nuclear programme ... Time 'running out' on Iran talks. (BBC News -- Americas)
Syria urges French Mid-East role Nov 14, 2009
While Israel is interested in drawing Syria away from more radical elements in the region - Iran, Hezbollah and Hamas - it is far from clear that Mr Netanyahu is willing to pay the price of the Golan Heights to achieve this goal, says the BBC's diplomatic correspondent, Jonathan Marcus. France has a strong interest in pushing for Israel-Syria talks, our correspondent adds, as it has been the leading player in Europe in trying to bring Damascus in from the diplomatic cold. (BBC News -- Africa)
West Bank's new soccer players Nov 14, 2009
In Iran women are banned from attending football matches and have to wear the hijab when they play, even in tournaments abroad. The Palestinian team has had its own, unique problems to deal with. (CNN)
Prez opens India's biggest trade fair Nov 14, 2009
This year, Iran makes its debut, hoping to join some countries such as China, Myanmar, Pakistan, Thailand and Turkey, which have attracted huge crowds in the past with their traditional merchandise. The theme of this year's fair, organised by the commerce ministry-promoted India Trade Promotion Organisation (ITPO), is "Exports of Services". (India Times)
High winds forecast as storms hit Nov 14, 2009
Turkey 'could store Iran uranium. WATCHED/LISTENED. (BBC News -- UK)
Robson gets first taste of Asian Cup action Nov 13, 2009
Thailand are third in Group E after two goalless draws in Jordan and at home to Iran ... Iran top the group with a win and a draw, while Jordan have just one point ... Iran, meanwhile, warned up for their match against Jordan with a 1-0 win over Iceland on Tuesday. (The Star Online, Malaysia -- Sports)
Feds move to seize 4 mosques, tower linked to Iran Nov 13, 2009
US seeks to seize 4 mosques, tower linked to Iran ... In what could be one of the biggest counterterrorism seizures in U.S. history, federal prosecutors sought to seize four U.S. mosques and a New York City skyscraper owned by a Muslim organization suspected of being controlled by the Iranian government ... Confiscating the properties would be a sharp blow against Iran, which the U.S. government has accused of bankrolling terrorism and trying to build a nuclear bomb. (Montana Standard, MT)
Obama comes to Japan mulling Afghan war options Nov 13, 2009
The itinerary reflects the growing importance of East Asia - especially China - to everything from financing U.S. debt and powering the global economic recovery to climate change, disease control and containing nuclear threats from North Korea and Iran ... Attempts to coax nuclear-armed North Korea - which occasionally threatens Japan with fiery rhetoric - to return to disarmament negotiations are likely to feature prominently, as is Iran's nuclear program. (Fresno Bee -- Nation)
'Only a matter of time before terrorists use weapons of mass destruction' Nov 12, 2009
Henry Crumpton refuses to rule out the military option to tame Iran's nuclear amitions ... The fear that terrorist groups might be able to acquire WMD from rogue states such as Iran or Syria explains Washington's determination to confront Iran over its nuclear programme ... "If we look at the threat posed by Iran, they have links with Hizbollah [the Lebanese Shi'ite Muslim militia], which is a terrorist organisation with global reach, and they are actively pursuing WMD. And the leadership has... (Yahoo News -- Biological and Chemical Weapons)
Music as path to peace Nov 12, 2009
It's a seemingly simple approach to one of the modern world's most complicated political problems: By marrying the dainty lutes of the East with the thrumming violas of the West, composer Hafez Nazeri says he wants to create harmony between the United States and his native Iran ... Nazeri's father, Shahram Nazeri, a famed classical singer known as Iran's Pavarotti, is scheduled to perform "Cycle One: Iranian Sounds of Peace" alongside his son and classical musicians from the Chamber Music... (San Francisco Chronicle -- Entertainment)
* World News Quick Take Nov 12, 2009
IRAN Scholarship denounced. Tehran has denounced Oxford University after one of its colleges set up a scholarship in honor of Neda Agha-Soltan, who was shot dead during a protest after disputed elections, a report said yesterday. (Taipei Times, Taiwan -- World)
The Dutch literary scene Nov 12, 2009
" Articles on 1968 in Czechoslovakia, Poland, Russia, Ukraine... Populist politics are on the rise in Europe. Ivan Krastev, G.M.Tams, Ralf Dahrendorf, Jacques Rupnik and others on democratic illiberalism. Cultural citizenship responds to the multicultural context of contemporary societies: texts by Ivaylo Ditchev, Charles Taylor, Rada Ivekovic... Are wars that are fought between nations a thing of the past, and are the future challenges more a case of ethnic strife and break-up of failed... (Harper's Magazine)
Somali Refugees in Nepal: Stuck in the Waiting Room Nov 11, 2009
The government recently imposed a ban on issuing on-arrival visas for the residents of a dozen countries, including Somalia, Burma, Iraq, Iran, Afghanistan, Nigeria and Sudan. Fleeing war, drought and hunger at home, Somali refugees are scattered all over the world. (Time.com)
Iranian father-son musical perform for peace Nov 10, 2009
BEVERLY HILLS, California (AP): It's a seemingly simple approach to one of the modern world's most complicated political problems: By marrying the dainty lutes of the East with thrumming violas of the West, composer Hafez Nazeri says he wants to create harmony between the U.S. and his native Iran ... Nazeri's father, Shahram Nazeri, a famed classical singer known as Iran's Pavarotti, is scheduled to perform "Cycle One: Iranian Sounds of Peace" alongside his son and classical musicians from the... (The Star Online, Malaysia)
Iran Accuses 3 U.S. Hikers of Espionage Nov 10, 2009
TEHRAN, Iran, Nov. 9, 2009 ... Three American hiking in Iraq Shane Bauer, 27; Sarah Shourd, 31; and Josh Fattal, 27 were detained on July 31, 2009 after accidentally crossing the border with Iran ... The three Americans were arrested July 31 after straying over the Iranian border from northern Iraq. (CBS News -- World)
Flood misery Nov 10, 2009
Student inspires Iran opposition. Soldier is Miss World contender. (BBC News -- Americas)
Maya Angelou, Rihanna among Glamour mag's honorees Nov 10, 2009
She got a standing ovation, as did the Iranian women of the One Million Signatures Campaign, introduced by CNN anchor Christiane Amanpour. The women are working toward gender equality in Iran. (Chippewa Falls Chippewa Herald, WI)
Bring me sunshine Nov 10, 2009
Page last updated at 00:15 GMT, Tuesday, 10 November 2009. Tourism sector eyes brighter 2010. (BBC News -- UK)
Controversial speaker warns about 'threat of Islam' Nov 9, 2009
stopitnow wrote on Nov 8, 2009 8:57 AM:" THIS MAN RISKS HIS LIFE TO TELL THE TRUTH! He should find safety within our community not the hate lines from bloggers who should value free speech!! If he lived in Iran, he would be KILLED for his views. ". stopitnow wrote on Nov 8, 2009 9:08 AM:" And the Crips and the Bloods are just boys clubs!! Muslims need to take back their religion from the terrorists who now control it. Until they change the Koran and structure of the leadership they will never be... (Longview Daily News, WA)
Turkoman autocracy lives on while market reforms bite Nov 8, 2009
Other projects are the Caspian Sea resort Avaza and a railway connecting Kazakhstan and Iran. Some observers doubt the feasibility of the projects, but one of the aims may be to create jobs. (Business Report, South Africa)
America is rusting because of free trade Nov 7, 2009
On the diplomatic front, Washington has been rebuffed by both Russia and China in its drive to line up support for increased international pressure on Iran to cease its nuclear enrichment program. One month after President Obama plans to deploy an anti-ballistic missile system in Eastern Europe in an apparent bid to secure Russian backing for a tougher stance toward Tehran, top Russian leaders are clearly indicating that they have no intention of endorsing strong new sanctions on Iran ... The... (Salon)
Obama's Frightening Insensitivity Following Shooting... Nov 7, 2009
His choice of destinations can include Cuba, Venezuela, Iran, China & N. Korea, that is if we can get the State Dept. to take these countries off the forbidden to travel list. He might feel better in a different part of the world. (The Drudge Report)
Dogs vs. SUVs vs. the earth, debunked Nov 7, 2009
" Are you saying that diplomacy always fails? No, foolishness does. Perhaps when he gets nowhere on Iran, nowhere with North Korea, when he gets nothing from the Russians in return for what he did to the Poles and the Czechs, gets nowhere in the Middle East peace talks -- maybe at that point he'll begin to rethink whether the world really runs by international norms, consensus, and sweetness and light, or whether it rests on the foundation of American and Western power that, in the final... (Salon)
In the Driver's Seat Nov 7, 2009
"He expected a lot out of his employees and commanded a lot of respect. "He's a recognized name in the industry," he said. Jones' wife Helen agreed. "He would always get compliments on the state of the buses," she said. The company moved from its old location at Fifth and Elm streets to its current location in 1974. "Busses have changed over the years," Jones said, reflecting on the business. The company's first buses had stepstools on board to help passengers on and off. The ones today have... (Missourian Publishing, MO)
Disney sets out to make 'The Passion for kids' Nov 6, 2009
UN demands Iran explain evidence of an advanced nuclear warhead. Rich and poor nations wrangle over sacrifices each has to make. (Yahoo News -- 'The Passion of the Christ')
Coos Bay signs LNG pact Nov 6, 2009
Blind leadin the Blind on this HIGH RISK (Without a plan), non job producer (Except for some diggin ditches for 230 miles for a few Union workers), Air polluter, Land grabber, unneeded expensive gas (OVER 2X more then what Oregon citizens pay right now on their monthly gas bills) from foreign hostile countries like Russia, Iran, etc. orecoast007 wrote on Nov 4, 2009 1:44 PM:Sounds like the city of Coos Bay supports this LNG Terminal. (Coos Bay-North Bend The World, OR)
Make no mistake: He's running Nov 6, 2009
For decades White House aspirants have attacked the political climate of Washington much as Obama did: "Politics has become so bitter and partisan, so gummed up by money and influence, that we can't tackle the big problems that demand solutions." ... So far away that Obama's small but fervent efforts in the opposite direction -- new diplomacy on Israel, Palestine, Iran, Russia and North Korea; slow but steady withdrawal from Iraq and now a painful reappraisal of the increasingly bloody war in... (Salon)
Freedom fighter Nov 6, 2009
" By the 1990s, Vogler had built party membership to about 20,000, and the party scored its first major electoral victory when former Republican Governor and U.S. Secretary of the Interior Wally Hickel joined the AIP and won the gubernatorial race. By then, Vogler was close to achieving one of his major goals: speaking before the United Nations (despite his antipathy toward the international body) on Alaska independence. According to the AIP, Iran had offered to sponsor Vogler's appearance --... (Salon)
Paradise on the Persian Gulf Nov 6, 2009
Along the Strait of Hormuz, where the waters narrow to just 20 miles between the southern coast of Iran and the northern tip of , lies rugged beauty of the Musandam peninsula -- a pristine paradise located in the heart of the Middle East. Along the Strait of Hormuz, where the waters narrow to just 20 miles between the southern coast of Iran and the northern tip of Arabia, lies rugged beauty of the Musandam peninsula -- a pristine paradise located in the heart of the Middle East ... Musandam's... (ABC News)
Feds bust 'Octopussy' insider trader-tipster Nov 6, 2009
By BRUCE GOLDING and KAJA WHITEHOUSE. Last Updated: 4:56 AM, November 6, 2009. (New York Post -- News)
Kashmir: Time to se harvest of the world's best saffron Nov 5, 2009
A continent away, Iran, the worlds largest producer of this valuable spice also goes to work, but naturally tourism is not a sought after byproduct there, of saffrons fame. In places as far apart as Switzerland, the US and China (once upon a time, even in the village of Saffron Walden in Britain. (India Times)
Earthquake Rocks Southern Iran Nov 5, 2009
TEHRAN, Iran (November 4, 2009)--A moderate earthquake Wednesday shook southern Iran, injuring 269 people and downing power and telephone lines ... Iran is on seismic fault lines and is prone to earthquakes. (KWTX.com, TX)
What type of country the U.S. is Nov 4, 2009
It bombs in Afghanistan, invades Iraq and threatens sanctions against Iran and North Korea ... Even Iran's dissident leaders to justify their own government's conduct ... UPDATE: Obviously related to all of this, and document a defamatory and reckless (though quite typical) smear campaign led by neocon character assassins Michael Goldfarb of The Weekly Standard and Jeffrey Goldberg of The Atlantic, against National Iranian American Iranian-American Council founder Trita Parsi. (Salon)
Cuban-Americans' Change of View Means U.S. Travel Ban Could End Nov 4, 2009
Says Tomas Bilbao, executive director of the Cuba Study Group, a Miami-based organization of business and community leaders, "After the loosening of restrictions for Cuban-Americans by the Obama Administration, it will be increasingly difficult for the government to respect the liberties of one narrow group while restricting them for a broader group." Democratic U.S. Representative William Delahunt of Massachusetts, who introduced the new travel-to-Cuba bill in the House, where it now has 180... (Time.com)
The Clinton Foundation's donors Nov 4, 2009
So far away that Obama's small but fervent efforts in the opposite direction -- new diplomacy on Israel, Palestine, Iran, Russia and North Korea; slow but steady withdrawal from Iraq and now a painful reappraisal of the increasingly bloody war in Afghanistan; a pledge to eliminate nuclear weapons; new initiatives to the Muslim world -- could win him this prize. But let's take that measure. (Salon)
Winfrey, Clooney among first White House guests Nov 4, 2009
The presidential contender on dealing with Iran, fighting AIDS in Africa and restoring America's standing in the world. By Walter Shapiro, Salon. (Salon)
Israel calls on Gulf states to aid Palestinians Nov 4, 2009
Meanwhile, a senior Israeli official on Tuesday said that over the past few days, Hamas had successfully test-fired a Iranian-made rocket that could travel 60 kilometers (37 miles), putting the Tel Aviv metropolis within reach ... Commenting on that information, Ayalon blamed Iran ... "The nuclear ambitions of Iran are not an end in itself," he said. (Christian Science Monitor -- World)
Kirtland Center hosting Travel Adventure Series: Iran ” then and now Nov 4, 2009
Gaylord Herald Times - Entertainment - Kirtland Center hosting Travel Adventure Series: Iran then and now ... Kirtland Center hosting Travel Adventure Series: Iran then and now ... Tuesday, November 3, 2009 2:02 PM EST ROSCOMMON -- The Kirtland Center for the Performing Arts will host the second of three Travels Adventure Series presentations, Iran -- Then and Now, by cinematographer Buddy Hatton, Tuesday, Nov. 10, in the G.I. Stewart Auditorium on the college s main campus near... (Gaylord Herald Times, MI)
Russia 'simulates' nuclear attack on Poland... Nov 3, 2009
Iran bombs the hell out if IsNtReal ... now that he is in office, iran has stopped pursuing nukes, stopped threating another holocaust, north korea has not started back up its nuke stuff, afghanistan is more stable, as well as pakistan, and russia isnt intimidating other countries anymore, china hasnt put the pedal to the metal in its military growth ... As for war criminals, well what about Brezhnev, Putin, Medvedev and your crimes in Afghanistan, Chechnya, supporting IRanian nuclear weapons. (The Drudge Report)
Scotland Struggling to Regain Golf Luster Nov 3, 2009
Fear of terrorism, Iran and pirates at issue in court battle over holding the cup race in the United Arab Emirates. Mark Starr - - October 22, 2009 17:39 ET. (Newsmax)
Ghanaian Politician heading to Iran to bring American Hostages ? Nov 2, 2009
Ghanaian Politician heading to Iran to bring American Hostages ... Com that he is making the necessary arrangements to travel to Iran to personally negotiate the release of American Hostages held in Iran for Humanitarian reasons --- blasting former President of Ghana, John Agyekum Kufuor who terrorized him for political reasons, ironically, after systematically stealing his (Kwame Mayor's) strategic ideas --and equally blasting ex Ghana's Military Junta Leaders Jerry John Rawlings and Major... (Ghana Web, Ghana)
In NYs 23rd, conservatives bag a GOP heretic in Scozzafava Nov 1, 2009
I was a bit surprised when I saw jay s Iran now rejecting nuclear deal which followed his Ahmadinejad defense possible nuke deal in which jay said ... As the Post reports, If successful, the deal would likely be interpreted internationally as a goodwill sign by all involved parties and might lead to compromises over Irans nuclear program ... STRATFOR was all over Iran s installment plan from the get-go. (Atlanta Journal-Constitution -- Opinion)
Passports of Jihadists Found by Pakistani Army Oct 31, 2009
There was also a used travel visa to Iran, where Azizi is reported to have fled at one point. And there was an Indian visit visa, but it did not appear to have been used for travel. (Time.com)
'Dialogue' Trumps Honduran Law Oct 31, 2009
Iran Nukes: The mullahs ruling Islamofascist Iran are having a fine laugh at the easily beguiled infidels running U.S. foreign policy. First they agree to a nuclear "diplomatic breakthrough." Then they say no.. (Investors Business Daily)
US extends India travel alert Oct 31, 2009
India does not figure in the list of nearly 30 countries for which the state department has issued travel warnings, among them Pakistan, Afghanistan, Sri Lanka and Nepal in the neighborhood, and Saudi Arabia, Iran, Iraq, Somalia and Philippines beyond. Topics. (India Times, India -- Community News)
Dozens Under House Ethics Investigations Oct 31, 2009
These are America's real enemies, not Islam, not Iraq, not Iran, not Afghanistan or North Korea. Our problem with corruption won't dissapear until they do. (CBS News -- US)
Ahmadinejad defends possible nuke deal Oct 30, 2009
TEHRAN President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad defended a possible compromise with world powers over a nuclear fuel deal Thursday as Iran formally responded to a U.N.-backed proposal aimed at stalling its ability to make nuclear weapons ... He said the West has been forced to alter its confrontational stance toward Iran, state television reported ... Under the proposed deal with the International Atomic Energy Agency, Iran would ship most of its stockpile of low-enriched uranium abroad for processing into... (Atlanta Journal-Constitution -- Opinion)
Dubai: 10 Things to Do in 24 Hours Oct 29, 2009
Its unstoppable, finely tuned PR machine has managed to overcome every downside (how often do you hear that Saudi Arabia, Iran and Iraq are right next door. to make the city a must-see location. (Time.com)
A year on the road Oct 29, 2009
I'm a native of France, so I'll stop in Paris to get some paperwork done, then go east through Eastern Europe, Turkey, Iran, Pakistan, and India ... Iran: Once inside the country, no problem ... Gas will range from 38 cents a gallon in Iran to $7. (MSNBC -- Travel)
Yikes! Newt Gingrich making sense!?!? Oct 29, 2009
Laying aside the fact that Obama s original deadline for Iran was September mid late. Iran has also ignored the Oct. 23rd deadline ... For my STRATFOR lovers: Iran has already made clear that it is unsatisfied by the plan to ship the bulk of its LEU out of the country for further enrichment. (Atlanta Journal-Constitution -- Opinion)
Dieting 'keeps diabetes at bay' Oct 29, 2009
Page last updated at 00:09 GMT, Thursday, 29 October 2009. Dieting 'keeps diabetes at bay. (BBC News -- Americas)
