TEHRAN (FNA) ONGC Videsh Ltd (OVL), a unit of India’s largest exploration company Oil and Natural Gas Corp (ONGC), and Iranian oil major Petropars have approached National Iranian Oil Co (NIOC) about taking a stake in the USD 30bln Kish gas block in Iran.

According to KC’s source in the command of the Armed Forces of the Caucasus Emirate, 9 Muḥarram 1429 in the afternoon (17 January 2008), a spetsnaz (special force) team of invaders was attacked

Commander of the Kabarda-Balkar sector of the Caucasus Front, Amir Sayfullah (Anzor Astamirov), tells about details of the preparation for the declaration of the Emirate of Caucasus. The commentary recorded in Shawwal 1428.

According to sources in the Wilayah of Ghalghaycho (Ingushetia) of the Caucasus Emirate, 9 Muharram 1429 late in the evening (17 January 2008), around 10:10 pm local time, a fierce firefight with the use of assault rifles, machine guns and grenade launchers erupted in downtown Nazran.

The British side has frozen ties with the FSB (Russian Federal Security Service) for the so-called “anti- terrorist cooperation”, British Ambassador to Russia Anthony Brenton said.

There are two worst rated territories: Tibet (under Chinese jurisdiction) and Chechnya, where an indigenous Islamic population is engaged in a brutal guerrilla war for independence from Russia.” [Chechnya got the lowermost rating both in Political Rights and Civil Liberties.]

This week’s bombing of the Serena Hotel signals a significant change in tactics by the Taliban.

DUBAI – Iranian President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad said on Thursday that Israel “would not dare attack Iran”, after Israel said it tested a missile and warned against Tehran’s nuclear program.

TORONTO – Former British Prime Minister Tony Blair said on Thursday that NATO must challenge its enemies in Afghanistan firmly and in a united way, despite recent reports of friction among Western countries.

BERLIN – German Foreign Minister Frank-Walter Steinmeier said on Thursday that Israel should freeze the building of settlements if it wanted to achieve peace with the Palestinians.