Middle Orient News

TEHRAN (IRNA) — Iranian President Mahmud Ahmadinejad and his South African counterpart, Thabo Mbeki, in a telephone conversation on Wednesday, underlined the importance of cooperation among Non-Aligned Movement (NAM) countries. President Ahmadinejad, over phone, expressed his gratitude for the statement issued by NAM countries in defense of Iran’s undeniable right …

Tehran Times Political Desk TEHRAN – The Swedish and Norwegian ambassadors to Tehran were summoned to the foreign ministry on Wednesday over the recent publication of offensive cartoons of Prophet Mohammad (PBUH) in a Swedish paper. Mohammad-Reza Karshenas, Foreign Ministry official in charge of Central and Northern European affairs, underlined …

NEW DELHI (IRNA) — Just a day ahead of the crucial meeting of the IAEA in Vienna, Indian Prime Minister Manmohan Singh, Chinese foreign minister Li Zhaoxing, and Indonesian President Susilo Bambang Yudhoyono said that Iran’s nuclear issue should be resolved diplomatically. “I still believe that this is a matter …

WASHINGTON (The Brookings Institution) — Iran’s decision to resume nuclear activities is a direct challenge to the United States and Europe. Recently, the new Iranian government of President Mahmud Ahmadinejad resumed research and development activities that had been suspended during the talks with the Europeans, still saying that its nuclear …

KUWAIT CITY (AP) — Sheikh Sabah Al Ahmad Al Sabah took the oath of office Sunday, becoming the first emir of this oil-rich US ally to ascend to power on the approval of parliament rather than merely the internal decision of the ruling family. The emir, 76, swore to uphold …

OCCUPIED JERUSALEM (Reuters) — The European Union could not fund a Hamas-run Palestinian Authority if it did not renounce violence and recognise Israel, German Chancellor Angela Merkel said in Israel on Sunday. It was the most explicit threat to cut aid from Europe, the biggest donor to the Palestinians, since …

BAGHDAD (AFP) — At least 20 Iraqis were killed in rebel attacks and bombings on Sunday, including six coordinated car bombs set off near churches, while a roadside bombing wounded a US television news anchor and his cameraman. The latest rebel attacks came as the trial of ousted president Saddam …

BAGHDAD (AP) — A new chief judge moved to crack down in a chaotic session of Saddam Hussein’s trial Sunday, forcibly expelling a defendant and a defence lawyer. The defence team walked out in protest and Saddam was removed after shouting “down with America” and arguing with the judge.

VIENNA (AFP) — The five permanent members of the UN Security Council and Germany meet in London on Monday to try to bridge broad differences over the Iran nuclear programme, which the West fears is a covert grab for atomic weapons. The United States and three major European powers Britain, …

WASHINGTON (Reuters) — ABC news anchor Bob Woodruff and camera operator Doug Vogt were seriously injured in a roadside bombing in Iraq on Sunday, the US television network said. At the time of the blast, they were travelling with an Iraqi army unit in an Iraqi vehicle near Taji, near …