Bulgarian presidential runoff officially scheduled 24/10/2006 SOFIA, Bulgaria — The Central Election Commission (CEC) formally confirmed that incumbent Georgi Parvanov of the Socialist Party and ultranationalist Attack coalition leader Volen Siderov will square off in a runoff next Sunday (October 29th). The CEC released the final results of last Sunday’s …

BAGHDAD (Reuters) — The United States has shown “arrogance” and “stupidity” in Iraq, a senior US diplomat said in an interview aired on Sunday, after US President George W. Bush said he was flexible on tactics, if not strategy. In an attack that highlights the problems Washington faces in recruiting …

OCCUPIED JERUSALEM (AP) — The Israeli army dropped phosphorous bombs against Hizbollah targets in Lebanon during the war there this summer, an Israeli Cabinet minister said Sunday, confirming Lebanese allegations for the first time. Phosphorus weapons can cause severe burns and are banned for use in civilian areas, but Israel …

OCCUPIED JERUSALEM (Reuters) — Several Israeli Cabinet ministers called on Sunday for a military operation to retake control of Gaza’s southern border and prevent Palestinian fighters smuggling weapons from neighbouring Egypt. “Action must be taken without hesitation,” Industry and Trade Minister Eli Yishai of the religious party Shas told reporters. …

TEHRAN (Fars News Agency)- Georgian Foreign Minister Gela Bezhuashvili voiced his country’s preparedness to cooperate with Iran in the energy sector, and further stated Tbilisi’s enthusiasm for purchasing Iran’s gas, electricity and energy.

TEHRAN (Fars News Agency)- Iranian Foreign Ministry Spokesman Seyed Mohammad Ali Hoseini lashed out at the western states for pushing Iran’s nuclear case towards UNSC sanctions and simultaneously alleging that they are interested in negotiations.

OCCUPIED JERUSALEM (Reuters) — Several Israeli Cabinet ministers called on Sunday for a military operation to retake control of Gaza’s southern border and prevent Palestinian fighters smuggling weapons from neighbouring Egypt. “Action must be taken without hesitation,” Industry and Trade Minister Eli Yishai of the religious party Shas told reporters.

TEHRAN (Fars News Agency)- Iranian President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad stressed the need for the development of Iran-Belarus bilateral ties in various sectors, including energy, industry, trade and defense industries.

KHARTOUM (AP) — The Sudanese government Sunday ordered the chief UN envoy out of the country after he wrote that Sudan’s army had suffered major losses in recent fighting in Darfur. The order against the envoy, Jan Pronk, is likely to complicate international efforts to halt the killings, rapes and …

TEHRAN (Fars News Agency)- First Vice President Parviz Dawoodi said in a joint meeting of the government and parliament here on Sunday that Iran has now won a magnificent position in the world.