Wednesday, May 19, 2010

Lula adamant on Iran talks

Lula adamant on Iran talks (plus 89 more items)

Link to Rebel Newsflash

Lula adamant on Iran talks

Posted: 09 May 2010 11:17 AM PDT

Brazil's president seeks to fulfill his pledge to examine all diplomatic options in ending the standoff over Iran's civilian nuclear program.

In a newspaper interview published on Sunday, Brazilian President Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva stressed that he was not losing heart in ending the nuclear standoff.

Iran opens biggest car plant in ME

Posted: 09 May 2010 11:16 AM PDT

Iranian President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad has opened the Middle East's biggest car-manufacturing plant in the central city of Kashan.

The plant, set up by carmaker Saipa, will manufacture 150,000 vehicles annually, the Islamic Republic News Agency reported.

US teens arrested in massacre plot

Posted: 09 May 2010 09:59 AM PDT

US police say they arrested two New York teenagers for allegedly planning to kill staff and students at Connetquot High School in Bohemia, where one of them had been a student.

The couple, Christopher Franko, 17, and Dana Saltzman, 16, spent several weeks looking at bomb-making websites to prepare for the attack, Suffolk County police said on Saturday.

5 killed in Philippines before elections

Posted: 09 May 2010 08:13 AM PDT

Five people are killed in the Philippines as the country prepares to vote for the next president, vice president, a host of legislators and local officials.

The victims were shot dead by gunmen loyal to local candidates in a remote region in the North, the police said on Sunday.

'Iran needs no foreign assistance'

Posted: 09 May 2010 08:07 AM PDT

President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad says Iran has joined the elite group of countries enjoying fast-paced development in science and technology.

"Some in the West have asserted Iran's advancements in their various reports and have even admitted that Iran is developing and improving its economy with a fast pace," said Ahmadinejad on Sunday.

5 members of terrorist groups executed

Posted: 09 May 2010 07:35 AM PDT

Tehran's Public Prosecutor Office says five people have been executed in the country over their involvement in bomb attacks and links to terrorist groups.

The convicts were hanged in Tehran's Evin prison early Sunday.

15 killed in Mogadishu clashes

Posted: 09 May 2010 07:35 AM PDT

At least 15 people have been killed and dozens more injured during fresh fighting between the Ahlu Sunna and al-Shabab fighters in the Somali capital of Mogadishu.

The recent clashes started on Saturday night in the southern sector of the city, near the Bakara Market area.

Assad: Israel no peace partner

Posted: 09 May 2010 07:28 AM PDT

Syrian President Bashar al-Assad says no "viable peace" with Israel can be achieved in the Middle East since the regime does not seek peace.

Speaking in Turkey on the possible resumption of mediated talks with Israel, Assad told reporters at a joint conference with his Turkish counterpart Abdullah Gul on Saturday, "As for peace, we spoke about peace; you may ask what peace we are referring to as there is no peace, no peace process or viable partner."

Saudis considering arms deal with UK

Posted: 09 May 2010 07:13 AM PDT

Saudi Arabia is considering an arms deal contract with the British government worth up to £4 billion as part of the al-Salam package signed in 2007.

The deal would deliver weapons for Eurofighter Typhoon jets, one of the most advanced jet fighters in the world, which were sold to the kingdom by BAE Systems under the original deal of £20 billion. Riyadh is also considering obtaining 24 more Eurofighters, worth £1.5 billion.

MP says UNSC statement was a joke

Posted: 09 May 2010 07:13 AM PDT

An Iranian lawmaker says the recent UN Security Council statement airing grievances over Tehran's enrichment activities was "sprinkled with political humor."

In a joint statement issued on Wednesday, the five permanent members of the UN Security Council including the United States, Russia, China, France, and Britain raised "serious concern" over Iran's nuclear activities.

'Pakistani Taliban behind' NY plot

Posted: 09 May 2010 06:47 AM PDT

The Pakistani Taliban was behind the failed attempt to detonate a car bomb in the heart of New York City, the United States attorney general has said.

Eric Holder's revelation on Sunday came almost a week after US authorities arrested Faisal Shahzad, a naturalised US citizen born in Pakistan, blamed for planting the bomb in Times Square.

Costa Rica president sworn in

Posted: 09 May 2010 06:42 AM PDT

Laura Chinchilla, who has been sworn in as Costa Rica's first female president, has promised a more inclusive, transparent and ecologically aware government.

Chinchilla took the oath of office in an open-air ceremony before thousands of her supporters on Saturday in the capital city of San Jose.

'Tactical drill' launched in SE Iran

Posted: 09 May 2010 06:33 AM PDT

The Iranian Army has launched a drill in southeastern Sistan-Baluchestan Province to show its readiness to counter any threat, a senior official said.

Lieutenant General Ali Arasteh, a deputy commander of the Iranian Army, said on Sunday that the tactical military exercise will be conducted in an expanse of 15,000 km in the southern part of the province, Mehr news agency reported.

7.4-magnitude quake rocks Indonesia

Posted: 09 May 2010 05:53 AM PDT

A 7.4-magnitude quake strikes the Indonesian province of Aceh, the local Meteorological and Geophysics agency says, issuing a local tsunami alert.

The quake stroke at 12:59 pm (0559 GMT) and was centered 66 kilometers (41 miles) southwest of Meulaboh district at a depth of 30 kilometers (18 miles), the agency reported on Sunday.

UK election results leave no majority

Posted: 09 May 2010 05:50 AM PDT

Britain's parliamentary election results have come in with no party receiving an overall majority, as the Conservatives fall short of just 16,000 votes.

With the Conservatives receiving 305 seats, Labor 258, Liberal Democrats with 57 and other parties at 29, the Tories fell short of 21 seats in the House of Commons to secure a majority. The Rallings and Thrasher analysis of the election results puts the Tories at 36% of the vote, Labour at 29% and the Liberals at 23%.

Death toll from Russia mine blast rises

Posted: 09 May 2010 05:24 AM PDT

The death toll from the twin mine blasts in Russia's Siberian coal mine has risen to 12, as more bodies are recovered and scores of workers remain trapped under the rubble.

More than 40 workers have also been injured in the disasters that befell south-central Russia's Raspadskaya mine in Siberia's Kemerovo region on Saturday.

Brazil soccer player dies on pitch

Posted: 09 May 2010 05:13 AM PDT

A 26-year-old Brazilian soccer player has died of a suspected heart attack after he collapsed during a Carioca championship second division match.

Mesquita's midfielder Fred (Frederico Da Costa Pinheiro) was rushed to hospital in Cabo Frio, but did not respond to efforts to resuscitate him.

EU ministers hold emergency talks

Posted: 09 May 2010 05:01 AM PDT

European ministers are holding an emergency meeting to draw up a financial rescue mechanism, in a bid to reassure world markets before they open again on Monday.

The meeting on Sunday afternoon in Brussels will work out the details of a rescue mechanism for financially troubled member states, meant to prevent a repeat of the Greek financial meltdown.

Federer knocked out of Estoril Open

Posted: 09 May 2010 04:32 AM PDT

World number one Roger Federer has been knocked out of the Estoril Open after losing to defending champion Albert Montanes of Spain in the semifinals.

Fourth-seeded Montanes beat the top-ranked Swiss 6-2, 7-6 (7-5) on a rain-soaked clay court in under 90 minutes in Oeiras, Portugal on Saturday.

7.2-magnitude quake rocks Indonesia

Posted: 09 May 2010 04:14 AM PDT

A 7.2-magnitude quake strikes the Indonesian province of Aceh, the local Meteorological and Geophysics agency says, issuing a local tsunami alert.

Aceh is located on the northern tip of the island of Sumatra in western Indonesia.

UK opposition parties hold talks

Posted: 09 May 2010 04:12 AM PDT

The UK's two main opposition parties are meeting to discuss possible conditions on forming a government following last week's inconclusive election.

Senior members of the Conservative and Liberal Democrat parties are meeting in London on Sunday in their first face-to-face talks for years, with electoral overhaul expected to be high on the agenda.

Nato joins Russia for parade

Posted: 09 May 2010 04:06 AM PDT

Russia has held its biggest military parade since the fall of the Soviet Union, and for the first time included foreign troops.

The march across Red Square, in the capital Moscow, on Sunday commemorated the 65th anniversary of victory over Nazi Germany.

Lebanon wins Hummus battle with Israel

Posted: 09 May 2010 04:04 AM PDT

A Hummus competition between Israel and Lebanon has entered a new phase in the wake of Beirut's production of the largest plate to date of the Middle Eastern dip.

Around 300 Lebanese cooks joined hands to prepare a gigantic 10,452 kilogram dish of hummus, the size of Lebanon in square kilometers.

Plot to promote 'Iranophobia' fails

Posted: 09 May 2010 03:54 AM PDT

A senior Iranian military official says enemy attempts to promote phobia towards Iran has failed thanks to the wisdom of the Leader of the Islamic Revolution.

"During different periods of time, enemies hatched disruptive plots to damage the [Islamic] Revolution but all these plots were foiled due to the wisdom of the Leader of the Islamic Revolution," said Brig. Gen. Mohammad Pakpour, commander of the Islamic Revolution Guards Corps Ground Forces.

Indirect Middle East talks begin

Posted: 09 May 2010 03:36 AM PDT

Israelis and Palestinians have begun indirect peace talks, Saeb Erekat, the chief Palestinian negotiator, says.

He made the announcement after a meeting on Sunday between George Mitchell, the US Middle East envoy, and Mahmoud Abbas, the Palestinian president, in Ramallah in the occupied Palestinian territory of West Bank.

10 killed in US drone attack in Pakistan

Posted: 09 May 2010 03:29 AM PDT

At least ten people have been killed in the latest US missile strike in tribal regions in northwestern Pakistan, local security officials confirm.

According to two Pakistani intelligence officials on Sunday, a US drone fired two missiles that hit the house of local tribesman Awal Gul in Enzer Kasa village of the Datta Khel area in North Waziristan, a tribal region near the Afghan border.

Two soldiers killed in Turkey

Posted: 09 May 2010 03:03 AM PDT

In Turkey, two soldiers have been killed in two separate explosions near the country's border with Iraq where Kurdistan Worker's Party (PKK) militants operate.

The soldiers were killed when two improvised detonative devices went off in the southeastern provinces of Hakkari and Sirnak on Saturday, the Turkish military said, blaming the blasts on PKK militants.

Thai premier urges quick end to protests

Posted: 09 May 2010 02:56 AM PDT

The Thai government has called on opposition protesters to make it clear if they will end their mass rally in the heart of Bangkok.

"Schools are about to open. Parents are concerned about their children's safety," Thai Prime Minister Abhisit Vejjajiva said Sunday on national television.

Bayern Munich wins Bundesliga title

Posted: 09 May 2010 02:51 AM PDT

German giant Bayern Munich has clinched the Bundesliga title for a record 22nd time following a 3-1 away victory against relegated Hertha Berlin.

Bayern Munich took the lead when Croatian striker Ivica Olic scored after 20 minutes by drilling Arjen Robben's pass into the bottom-right corner at Berlin's Olympic Stadium on Saturday.

Erdogan, Lula to visit Iran together

Posted: 09 May 2010 02:37 AM PDT

Turkish Prime Minister Recep Tayyip Erdogan and Brazilian President Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva will visit Tehran together to hold talks on Iran's nuclear program.

Lula will arrive in Tehran to attend the Fourteenth Summit of the Group of 15 (G-15) on May 17, Mehr news agency reported.

Kuwait calls for early OPEC meeting

Posted: 09 May 2010 02:03 AM PDT

Kuwait's Oil Minister Sheikh Ahmad Abdullah al-Sabah has called for an OPEC meeting ahead of the body's scheduled convention to discuss the fall in crude prices.

Abdullah al-Sabah says the Organization of Petroleum Exporting Countries should act if crude prices fall below 65 dollars a barrel.

Barca, Real vying for La Liga title

Posted: 09 May 2010 01:53 AM PDT

Spanish giants Barcelona and Real Madrid have secured thrilling victories over their rivals to send the country's league title race to the final game of the season.

La Liga leaders Barcelona managed to hold a one-point lead over its arch-rival Real Madrid following a tense 3-2 win against 10-man Sevilla on Saturday night.

Ash disrupts more Europe flights

Posted: 09 May 2010 01:15 AM PDT

Disruption of flights across the Atlantic and parts of Europe are expected to continue on Sunday with the spread of potentially dangerous ash from Iceland's Eyjafjallajokull volcano.

The forecast chart of volcanic activity for early Sunday by Eurocontrol showed a solid line of cloud extending from Greenland to the Azores and Madeira islands in the mid-Atlantic, at altitudes up to 35,000 feet - right in the path of most trans-Atlantic flights.

Iran hangs Kurdish activists

Posted: 09 May 2010 01:10 AM PDT

Five people, including a woman, have been executed by hanging in Iran, after being convicted of series of bomb attacks, the official IRNA news agency says.

The five were alleged members of anti-revolutionary groups.

Tsunami alert lifted in Indonesia

Posted: 09 May 2010 01:01 AM PDT

Indonesia has lifted a tsunami alert issued after a 7.2 magnitude earthquake struck Sumatra, according to the country's quake agency and the United States Geological Survey.

The quake hit at about 1pm (0600 GMT) on Sunday at a depth of 30km, 66km southwest of Meulaboh district in Aceh, the local Meteorological and Geophysics agency said.

Eight killed in Siberian mine blasts

Posted: 08 May 2010 11:59 PM PDT

Dozens of Russian miners are trapped in Siberia's largest coal mine after two blasts within hours made rescue work almost impossible.

The methane blast that occurred at 8:55 pm Moscow time on Saturday has reportedly killed eight miners. Twenty-four people have been injured and at least 54 others remain trapped in the mine.

Indonesia tsunami fear after quake

Posted: 08 May 2010 11:45 PM PDT

Indonesia has issued a tsunami warning after a 7.2 magnitude earthquake struck the province of Aceh.

The quake hit at about 1pm (0600 GMT) on Sunday at a depth of 30 km, 66 km southwest of Meulaboh district, the local Meteorological and Geophysics agency said, leading to the tsunami alert.

BP dome fails to stop oil leak

Posted: 08 May 2010 11:44 PM PDT

British Petroleum (BP) has failed in its first attempt to contain oil leaking into the Gulf of Mexico with a metal box as crystallized gas fills the structure.

Engineers from the UK oil giant tried to lower a four-story containment dome on a ruptured oil well in a move seen as the best short-term way to stem the flow from the fissure.

Palestinian Resident Expelled To Jordan

Posted: 08 May 2010 11:35 PM PDT

The Israeli Authorities deported Saturday a Palestinian resident of the West Bank to Jordan after the army claimed he was illegally staying in the country.

Resident Morad Suleiman Zahda, 27, from Hebron in the southern part of the West Bank was expelled to Jordan.

Regional poll tests Merkel alliance

Posted: 08 May 2010 11:34 PM PDT

Germans are voting in a regional election in North Rhine-Westphalia, the country's most populous state, in a test of the conservative government's popularity.

The government of Angela Merkel, the chancellor, is hoping that it will not face a backlash to committing billions of dollars to bailing out Greece's failing economy in Sunday's vote .

Deaths in Pakistan 'missile attack'

Posted: 08 May 2010 11:25 PM PDT

Pakistani intelligence officials have said that suspected US missiles have killed at least six people in the country's northwest.

The missiles hit North Waziristan, a tribal region near the Afghan border where many Taliban-affiliated networks are based.

Settler Groups Modify 14 Units To Be Inhibited By settlers in East Jerusalem

Posted: 08 May 2010 11:18 PM PDT

Israeli Peace Now movement reported that several settler organizations started recently modification work in an old police station in Ras Al Amoud Arab neighborhood in East Jerusalem, in order to be inhibited by Jews.

The police station was vacated as part of an agreement with the settlers and was moved to a new building near Maaleh Adumim settlement, east of Jerusalem in the occupied West Bank.

EU warned over blocking Turkey entry

Posted: 08 May 2010 11:14 PM PDT

The European Union would "lose credibility" if it blocks Turkey's entry into the bloc, warns former Spanish Prime Minister Felipe Gonzalez.

The bloc was committed to make Turkey a part of Europe, but, unfortunately, it seems the EU is backing down on its words, Gonzalez said on Saturday.

US envoy to visit Myanmar again

Posted: 08 May 2010 11:02 PM PDT

The most senior US envoy for East Asia is set to visit Myanmar for the second time in six months.

Kurt Campbell's visit on Sunday is expected to include talks with senior military government officials and a meeting with the country's detained opposition leader, Aung San Suu Kyi.

Iran conducts new tests during drill

Posted: 08 May 2010 10:55 PM PDT

The Iranian Navy has launched new tests during the fourth day of a major military exercise it is conducting in the country's southern waters.

Surface-to-surface and surface-to-air missiles, known as Nour (Persian for light) were tested on Saturday. The missiles can be installed on both destroyers and upgraded hovercrafts.

Suicide blast hits Russian region

Posted: 08 May 2010 10:37 PM PDT

A suicide attacker has set off a car bomb near a military base in the southern Russian region of Dagestan, Interfax news agency reports quoting an unnamed military official.

The official was quoted as saying that preliminary information indicated there were fatalities as a result of Sunday's attack.

Palestinian parties unite ahead of vote

Posted: 08 May 2010 10:34 PM PDT

Five leftist parties of the Palestine Liberation Organization (PLO) join forces to form the broadest national coalition ahead of the upcoming elections.

Following the coalition process, the candidates met at one of the parties' headquarters in Tulkarem on Saturday. They said the aim behind the coalition was to expand the national alliance.

Somali pirates seize German tanker

Posted: 08 May 2010 10:30 PM PDT

Heavily-armed Somali pirates have hijacked a Europe-bound German-owned chemical tanker, taking hostage the 22 crewmembers onboard the carrier.

The pirates armed with rocket-propelled grenades and automatic guns stormed the Marida Marguerite, about 120 miles (190 km) south of Oman on Saturday afternoon, as it was making its way from India to Belgium, said the European Union Naval Force.

Philippines gears up for polls

Posted: 08 May 2010 10:30 PM PDT

Campaigning in the Philippines has ended ahead of Monday's elections.

Sunday was a cooling off period after candidates held their last rallies before official campaigning for the presidential, congressional and local elections ended at midnight.

Apartheid State or a Bi-national State?

Posted: 08 May 2010 10:17 PM PDT

I admire Prof. John Mearsheimer. His rigorous logic. His lucid presentation. His rare moral courage.

I was very honored to host him and his colleague, Prof. Stephen Walt, in Tel Aviv, after their book about the Israel lobby in the US provoked a furor.

American Radical: The Trials of Norman Finkelstein

Posted: 08 May 2010 10:08 PM PDT

Professor Norman Finkelstein's admirers are familiar with his views, which they share to one degree or another. His critics are unhappy with the 'tone' in which he criticises Israel. As for his foes, they charge 'anti-Semitic' and 'self-hating Jew' - but backed by little evidence.

However, the newly released documentary film American Radical: The Trials of Norman Finkelstein sheds much light on the true character of the man who is often found in the middle of controversies.

Sixty Two Years of Israeli Independence

Posted: 08 May 2010 10:06 PM PDT

I will never forget celebrating Independence Day in Israel as a child.

Yom Ha'atzmaut as we call it in Hebrew was a big day. The main event was the military parade in the streets of Jerusalem and as I recall, it began in the main stadium of Hebrew University. We would sit among dignitaries because my father, the late General Matti Peled, was a member of the Israeli army's top brass. Such excitement can hardly be described in words. Patton and Centurion tanks drove by, army units would display their colors and, of course, the Israeli air force would put on an aerial show displaying the F-4 "Phantom" fighter jets acquired from the US.

Either Way, Zionists Win in Britain's Confused Election

Posted: 08 May 2010 10:03 PM PDT

The battle of the Israel stooges in Britain's general election has ended inconclusively in what's called a 'hung parliament' - i.e. no overall winner.

We can now expect a few days of horse-trading between David "I'm-a-Zionist" Cameron, Gordon "Me-too" Brown to see which one can form a credible government.

Eight Muslims in British parliament

Posted: 08 May 2010 09:39 PM PDT

Eight Muslim representatives including three women have joined the British House of Commons in the recent parliamentary elections in the United Kingdom.

Setting a new record for the representation of Asians in the UK, a record number of 18 candidates, including eight Muslims, secured seats in the general elections held on May 6.

Judge Hellerstein's Connection to Israeli 9-11 Defendant

Posted: 08 May 2010 09:16 PM PDT

U.S. District Judge Alvin K. Hellerstein, the Orthodox Jew who oversees all 9-11 related cases, is seldom discussed in the news. While his name does appear occasionally in the press, for example when he sentenced a "terrorism financier" to prison in April, the secretive judge who handles all 9-11 tort litigation is virtually unknown to most Americans. This is intentional, of course, because any discussion of the Bronx-born judge would reveal his Zionist roots and close relationship to the state of Israel, where his son Joseph Z. Hellerstein lives on a Jewish settlement on the West Bank and practices law with one of Israel's most important law firms, Amit, Pollak & Matalon.

BP attempt to stem oil spill fails

Posted: 08 May 2010 09:07 PM PDT

The energy company BP has said that its efforts to contain an oil spill from a broken well deep in the Gulf of Mexico using a 100-tonne steel-and-concrete box have not succeeded so far.

Ice-like crystals encrusted the walls of the box on Saturday, forcing crews to repeal their attempts to stop the leak, BP said.

Gates urges cut in military spending

Posted: 08 May 2010 08:51 PM PDT

The US defense secretary calls for spending reductions in military healthcare and the command structure in the face of the US government's widening budget deficit.

Robert Gates warned on Saturday that the US military should not expect further big hikes in defense budgets. He blasted the Pentagon's "top-heavy" bureaucracy, and called for scaling back on some major weapons programs and massive overhead costs at a time when the country is under dire economic and fiscal duress.

Gates urges cuts in military spending

Posted: 08 May 2010 08:51 PM PDT

The US defense secretary calls for spending reductions in military healthcare and the command structure in the face of the US government's widening budget deficit.

Robert Gates warned on Saturday that the US military should not expect further big hikes in defense budgets. He blasted the Pentagon's "top-heavy" bureaucracy, and called for scaling back on some major weapons programs and massive overhead costs at a time when the country is under dire economic and fiscal duress.

More flights cancelled across Europe

Posted: 08 May 2010 08:22 PM PDT

Hundreds of flights have been cancelled or postponed in Spain, France and Portugal as a moving cloud of volcanic ash once again disrupts air travel in Europe.

"Ash eruptions are ongoing and the area of potential ash contamination is expanding," AFP quoted a statement by European air traffic coordination agency, Eurocontrol, as saying.

UK protesters slam electoral system

Posted: 08 May 2010 07:51 PM PDT

Hundreds of British protesters take to the streets of London to demand electoral reform after the country's general elections closed with no outright winner.

Demonstrators chanting "fair votes now" gathered outside a building where Liberal Democrats were discussing a power sharing deal with the Conservatives on Saturday, a Press TV correspondent reported.

Ash set to halt more Europe flights

Posted: 08 May 2010 07:45 PM PDT

Disruption of flights across the Atlantic and parts of Europe are expected to continue on Sunday with the spread of potentially dangerous ash from Iceland's Eyjafjallajokull volcano.

The forecast chart of volcanic activity for early Sunday by Eurocontrol showed a solid line of cloud extending from Greenland to the Azores and Madeira islands in the mid-Atlantic, at altitudes up to 35,000 feet - right in the path of most trans-Atlantic flights.

Taliban threaten anti-West offensive

Posted: 08 May 2010 06:48 PM PDT

The Taliban have threatened to launch a fresh offensive in Afghanistan against NATO-led and American troops in the violence-weary country.

In a Saturday statement, the militants warned that the offensive codenamed al-Faath (victory) would begin on Monday and target "Americans, NATO members and their surrogates."

Second explosion rocks Russia mine

Posted: 08 May 2010 06:48 PM PDT

Russia's largest coal mine has been hit by a second explosion hours after a deadly methane blast killed at least eight workers and left dozens of others trapped underground.

Russia's ITAR-Tass news agency said the second blast on Sunday forced rescue operations to be suspended after authorities on the surface lost contact with 20 emergency workers who are not believed to be trapped underground.

US warns Pakistan over NY bomb plot

Posted: 08 May 2010 06:10 PM PDT

The US secretary of state says Islamabad would face "very severe consequences," if a terrorist attack on US soil was traced to Pakistan.

"We've made it very clear that if -- heaven-forbid -- an attack like this that we can trace back to Pakistan were to have been successful, there would be very severe consequences," Hillary Clinton told CBS TV during an interview on Saturday.

Italy shuns Cannes over quake film

Posted: 08 May 2010 04:53 PM PDT

The Italian minister of culture says he will boycott the upcoming Cannes Film Festival because of a "propaganda" film included in the festival's program.

Sandro Bondi refused the invitation, expressing his "regret" and "concern" over the selection of "a propaganda film, which insults the truth and the Italian people."

Iran 'pressing on with nuclear talks'

Posted: 08 May 2010 04:10 PM PDT

Iran says it is studying other proposals for a nuclear fuel swap proposal in line with efforts to end the standoff over the country's nuclear program.

Foreign Ministry spokesman Ramin Mehmanparast said Saturday that Iran is also pressing on with talks in the International Atomic Energy Agency over the nuclear fuel swap proposal.

'Israel hijacked Middle East peace'

Posted: 08 May 2010 04:06 PM PDT

Turkey and Syria say Israel prevents the establishment of peace in the Middle East, mounting international condemnation of Tel Aviv's policies.

Meeting in the Turkish capital, Ankara on Saturday, Turkish President Abdullah Gul and his visiting Syrian counterpart Bashar al-Assad blasted Tel Aviv's illegal settlement expansion in occupied al-Quds, AFP reported.

Floods kill 66 in Afghanistan

Posted: 08 May 2010 03:19 PM PDT

Flash floods triggered by heavy rains have killed at least 66 people and rendered thousands homeless in Afghanistan, officials say.

The head of Afghan National Disaster Management Authority said Saturday that hundreds of homes had been destroyed in northern and western parts of the country following days of heavy rains.

Iran ready for fuel swap negotiations

Posted: 08 May 2010 03:08 PM PDT

An Iranian parliamentarian says Iran is ready to negotiate on a nuclear fuel swap deal with any interested country including the United States.

"We welcome any country that is willing to supply Iran with nuclear fuel," said head of the Majlis National Security and Foreign Policy Commission Alaeddin Boroujerdi in an interview with IRNA.

BP oil containment box hits snag

Posted: 08 May 2010 02:55 PM PDT

Ice-like crystals encrusting the walls of a 100-tonne steel-and-concrete box meant to contain oil gushing from a broken well deep in the Gulf of Mexico have forced crews to back off the plan to contain the leak.

Workers who had carefully lowered the massive box over the leak nearly 1.6km below the surface had to lift it and move it to the side.

Deaths in Russian mine blast

Posted: 08 May 2010 02:54 PM PDT

An explosion at a coal mine in Siberia has left seven dead and at least four injured, Russian media has said.

Emergency officials say that 66 miners are still underground four hours after the deadly blast rocked the mine late on Saturday.

Kim says N Korea for disarmament

Posted: 08 May 2010 02:50 PM PDT

North Korean leader Kim Jong-Il says his country remains committed to denuclearization in a bid to defuse tensions on the Korean peninsula.

In remarks carried by Pyongyang's official media on Saturday, Kim said the North is willing to create the right conditions for resuming six-party disarmament talks.

Iran hails France for Kakavand release

Posted: 08 May 2010 02:48 PM PDT

Foreign Ministry Spokesman Ramin Mehmanparast says the release of Iranian national Majid Kakavand after more than a year in prison signals a positive turn in Iran-France relations.

"Fortunately, the efforts made by the Iranian Foreign Ministry and Embassy in Paris over 14 months ended Mr. Kakavand's illegal detention on May 7, 2010 and returned to the country."

Pope OKs resignation of abusive bishop

Posted: 08 May 2010 02:47 PM PDT

The Vatican says Pope Benedict XVI has accepted the resignation of a German bishop who faces allegations of child sex abuse and financial corruption.

Bishop Walter Mixa of Augsburg in Bavaria submitted his resignation through a letter to the pontiff.

Paris to honor Jean-Michel Basquiat

Posted: 08 May 2010 02:21 PM PDT

The Fondation Beyeler is to celebrate the 50th birth anniversary of American painter Jean-Michel Basquiat by mounting a large retrospective of his works.

The exhibition will display over 100 paintings, works on paper, and objects from museums and private collections around the world, Artdaily reported.

Intl. group to visit Tehran Book Fair

Posted: 08 May 2010 02:12 PM PDT

More than thirty Iranologists and Persian language scholars from 12 countries have been invited to visit the 23rd Tehran International Book Fair.

"The guests will visit the book fair during their one-week stay and attend conferences, which will be held on the sidelines of the event," director of the Center for the Promotion of Persian Language and Literature Qahreman Soleimani told Mehr News Agency.

Obama seeks Russia help on Iran

Posted: 08 May 2010 02:07 PM PDT

President Barack Obama says cooperation between the US, Russia and other permanent members of the UN Security Council is necessary to stop Iran's nuclear program.

In an interview with Russian media, President Obama said he is satisfied with the level of cooperation between the US and its allies as well as Russia on Iran, Ria Novosti reported.

Death toll in China storm rises

Posted: 08 May 2010 02:07 PM PDT

Heavy rainstorms in southern China have killed at least 65 people and toppled 9,900 houses this week.

Another 14 people are missing and 2.55 million people, as well as 100,000 hectares of arable land, have been affected.

Sleiman: Hezbollah should keep arms

Posted: 08 May 2010 01:35 PM PDT

Lebanese President Michel Sleiman says the Hezbollah movement cannot be disarmed as Tel Aviv continues to adopt a warmongering tone towards Lebanon.

The Lebanese daily ad-Diyar on Saturday quoted Sleiman as saying that, "We cannot and must not tell the resistance ... 'Give us your weapons and put it under the state's command' ", citing the current "regional atmosphere full of dangers and the drumbeats of war that Israel is banging everyday," Reuters reported.

Iran denies mistreatment of Afghans

Posted: 08 May 2010 01:32 PM PDT

Tehran's envoy to Kabul says the recent media smear campaign against Iran is part of an organized effort seeking to undermine the "historic ties" between the two neighbors.

"We think there are hidden hands behind these protests, it is not the work of an individual or a group. It is a scenario created by some embassies," Fada-Hossein Maleki told Press TV on Saturday.

Elections prompt protest in London

Posted: 08 May 2010 01:29 PM PDT

Thousands of protestors have gathered outside a Liberal Democrat gathering in central London as the party considers a possible merger with the Conservatives.

Demonstrators gathered in front of the local government building in Westminster on Saturday, demanding to "speak to Nick;" referring to Liberal Democrat leader, Nick Clegg.

Iran denies ties to alleged spy ring

Posted: 08 May 2010 01:13 PM PDT

Tehran's Ambassador to Manamah has dismissed reports about Iran's alleged involvement in a spy ring in the Persian Gulf state of Bahrain.

"There is no connection between the Islamic Revolution Guard Corps (IRGC) and an alleged spy ring in Persian Gulf countries," Hossein Amir Abdullahian was quoted by Mehr News Agency as telling a Bahraini newspaper.

China rainstorm toll rises to 65

Posted: 08 May 2010 12:57 PM PDT

The death toll from heavy rains and storms in southern China has risen to at least 65, with more than a dozen still missing, officials say.

China's Ministry of Water Resources said Saturday the bad weather has affected more than two and half million people.

Clegg weighs Conservative alliance

Posted: 08 May 2010 12:49 PM PDT

The UK Liberal Democrats are mulling plans to join forces with the Conservatives to form amid an inconclusive parliamentary vote that has rendered no outright winner.

With 57 seats, the third-place Liberal Democrats could provide each of the main parties with a majority win.

Abbas says yes to proximity talks

Posted: 08 May 2010 12:32 PM PDT

The Palestinian Liberation Organization (PLO) agrees to hold indirect "peace" talks with Israel, disregarding Hamas' disbelief in the US-brokered process.

"The Palestinian leadership has approved the proximity talks," said Jibril Rajub, the deputy secretary general of Fatah, the PLO's largest faction, on Saturday, according to AFP.

'US has failed to stabilize Afghanistan'

Posted: 08 May 2010 12:16 PM PDT

Afghan President Hamid Karzai has criticized foreign troops for not bringing security to the war-torn country as he prepares to leave for Washington.

Karzai said Saturday the US and its allies have yet to make Afghanistan a secure country, while slamming NATO for conducting night raids.

Aljazeera awards Press TV doc

Posted: 08 May 2010 11:41 AM PDT

A Press TV documentary production has received the Human Rights award of the 6th edition of the Aljazeera International Documentary Film Festival.

Aliya Battalion directed by Rashed Radwan competed with 198 documentaries from 39 countries, which participated in the 2010 edition of the festival held on the theme of 'Freedom and Human Rights.'

Indian Maoists launch deadly attack

Posted: 08 May 2010 10:55 AM PDT

Eight paramilitary soldiers have been killed and two others injured after Maoist rebels blew up an army truck in a densely forested area in central India.

"The soldiers were on their way home on vacation when the vehicle in which they were travelling was blown up. At least two other people were injured," Vishwa Ranjan, Chattisgarh state's director general of police, said on Saturday.

Ash cloud disrupts flights again

Posted: 08 May 2010 08:22 AM PDT

Spain has closed 19 airports as a cloud of ash from an Icelandic volcano drifts south over Western Europe.

The government said over 400 flights would be cancelled, leaving almost 40,000 people stuck in airports stretching from La Coruna in the northwest to Barcelona in the northeast.

Harrods sold to Qatari firm

Posted: 08 May 2010 07:51 AM PDT

Harrods, the iconic London department store, has been sold to Qatari investors in a deal reportedly worth $2.2bn.

Mohamed Al Fayad, the flamboyant Egyptian businessman who has owned Harrods for a quarter of a century, sold the store on Saturday to Qatar Holding after deciding he wanted to retire and spend more time with his family, his financial advisers said.

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