TEHRAN (FNA)- Moscow dismissed a US request for UN Security Council sanctions against Iran’s main shipping line, stressing that Russia has its own ways to be vigilant about Iran’s financial transactions.

TEHRAN (FNA)- Chief executive of state oil firm Kuwait Petroleum Corp Saad Al-Shuwaib said his country is in talks with Iran on importing gas.

TEHRAN (FNA)- “Art of Islamic World: From Turkey to Indonesia” exhibition is currently underway at the Istanbul’s Asian Art Museum that will run through March 1.

SARAJEVO (Reuters) – The European Union’s executive commission said on Friday that a decision by the Bosnian Serb authority to withdraw from the state power transmitter may hurt Bosnia’s bid for EU integration.

JERUSALEM (Reuters) – Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas has vowed to pursue peace talks with Ehud Olmert until the scandal-hit Israeli prime minister’s last day in office, and with whoever succeeds him, an Israeli newspaper said on Friday.

TEL AVIV, Israel (Reuters) – The European Union’s foreign policy chief said on Friday he was “less and less optimistic” that Israel and the Palestinians would meet a U.S. goal of a peace deal this year but he urged both sides to keep up momentum in 2009.

Palestinian leader Mahmoud Abbas has said peace talks with Israel have failed to reach any breakthrough, despite nine months of negotiations.

The outgoing commander of US troops in Iraq, Gen David Petraeus, has said that he will never declare victory there.

Saudi Arabian police say they have arrested five men on charges of using the internet to recruit for al-Qaeda.

TEHRAN (FNA)- Experts say a free trade agreement between the Persian Gulf Cooperation Council countries and Iran would benefit both sides as it would open PGCC markets for Iranian products and vice versa.