Russia is not frightened of another Cold War. That is the word from its President Dmitry Medvedev, who is standing firm on his decision to recognise the independence of Georgia’s breakaway regions.

European foreign ministers have been outraged by Russia’s actions in Georgia, and France’s Bernard Kouchner went on French television last night to make a spectacular allegation.

Before the UN has had time to act on the crisis in Georgia, the Russian president’s recognition of South Ossetia and Abkhazia’s independence has undermined its efforts.

Georgian President Mikheil Saakashvili has given his country’s reaction to Russia’s decision to recognise the breakaway regions of South Ossetia and Abkhazia.

TEHRAN (FNA)- The Italian WTD Company and Pars Petrochemical Company signed a memorandum of understanding to establish a desalination system unit in Pars Special Economic Energy Zone.

TEHRAN (FNA)- The reformist National Trust Party has officially nominated party leader Mehdi Karroubi as its candidate for Iran’s next presidential race.

TEHRAN (FNA)- A team of archeologists has recently begun salvage excavation at a 3000-year-old cemetery in the ancient site of Tahluj near the village of Mirar-Kola in northern Iran.

TEHRAN (FNA)- The Iranian capital has mounted an International Exhibition of Flowers and Plants, the largest event of its kind in the Middle East.

TEHRAN (FNA)- A team of Italian experts is to conduct a restoration project at the tomb of Cyrus the Great in Pasargadae in Iran’s Fars Province.

KABUL (Reuters) – The United Nations said on Tuesday it had found convincing evidence that 90 Afghan civilians, most of them children, were killed in air strikes by U.S.-led coalition forces in western Afghanistan last week.