The rival US presidential hopefuls have aired bitter disagreements over the Iraq troop surge as they put questions to American military commander General David Petraeus.

Chairman of Majlis National Security and Foreign Policy Commission Alaeddin Boroujerdi said imposing several sanctions against Iran for its peaceful nuclear activities has led to blooming of domestic talents of Iranian scientists in all fields.

At least 35 people, including 17 civilians and a Nato-led soldier, have been killed in Afghanistan today. The country’s interior ministry announced that 17 civilian road-workers were killed when Taliban rebels attacked them in the southern region of Zabul.