TEHRAN (FNA)- The Iranian president in a directive to the finance minister has called for suspending a new value added tax mechanism for two months.

TEHRAN (FNA)- Nearly one thousand Iranian traders will take part in the 104th edition of the China Import and Export Fair, which is also known as the Canton Fair.

TEHRAN (FNA)- Secretary General of Iran’s National Confidence Party Mehdi Karroubi will announce his final decision on his presidential candidacy on Oct 12.

TEHRAN (FNA)- Secretary-General of the Persian Gulf Cooperation Council (PGCC) said that his upcoming visit to Iran would be an opportunity for exchanging ideas with the Iranian officials on the regional issues.

TEHRAN (FNA)- Moscow rejects reports that it may arm Iran, saying it has no plan to equip Tehran with the S-300 surface-to-air missile defense system.

TEHRAN (FNA)- India will be the top Asian customer of oil from Iran in 2009 followed by China and Japan, according to a high-ranking NIOC official.

TEHRAN (FNA)- Iran’s Tourism Information Office was inaugurated in Istanbul, Turkey in a ceremony attended by deputy head of Cultural Iran’s Heritage, Handicrafts and Tourism Organization’s Investment and Projects Department, Mehdi Jahangiri.

WASHINGTON (Reuters) – U.S. intelligence agencies conclude in a draft report that Afghanistan is in a downward spiral and they doubt whether the Kabul government can stem the Taliban’s rise, The New York Times reported on Thursday.

BUDAPEST (Reuters) – The United States called on NATO allies on Thursday to allow the alliance to attack the Afghan opium trade, which it said was bringing the Taliban up to $80 million a year.

ISLAMABAD (Reuters) – A suicide bomber attacked police headquarters in Islamabad, warplanes killed 20 Islamist fighters in the northwest, and children died in a roadside blast on Thursday as Pakistan’s war with militants intensified.