MOSCOW – Russia expressed surprise on Tuesday that the United States had scrambled fighter jets at the weekend to intercept strategic Russian bombers, one of which flew over a U.S. aircraft carrier in the Pacific.

TARMIYA, Iraq – Six months ago, the Iraqi town of Tarmiya near Baghdad was a lawless al Qaeda lair, a springboard for launching attacks on the capital.

KABUL – Nearly 150 students and teachers have been killed and nearly 100 schools burnt down in Afghanistan in the last 10 months, the education ministry said on Tuesday, but more children than ever are attending classes.

TEHRAN (FNA) – The 26th Fajr Film Festival ended work here in Tehran on Thursday.

TEHRAN (FNA) – Iranians from different parts of the country congregated in the northwestern city of Zanjan to stage their artistic talent in making snowmen.

TEHRAN (FNA) – Iraqi Foreign Minister Hoshyar Zebari on Tuesday said talks between Iran and the United States on the future of Iraq were expected “in the next few days.”

TEHRAN (FNA) – The International Atomic Energy Agency Director General Mohamed ElBaradei will submit its long-awaited report on Iran’s nuclear program to the Board of Governors on March 3rd, IAEA sources said.

TEHRAN (FNA) – Tehran on Tuesday warned US forces in Iraq against chasing suspects inside Iranian territory.

TEHRAN (FNA) – Iranian Foreign Minister Manouchehr Mottaki is due to pay a visit to Syria on Wednesday.

TEHRAN (FNA) – Head of the International Atomic Energy Agency Mohammed ElBaradei said the greatest global danger would be posed by nuclear-armed extremist groups and not newly emerging nuclear states.