INCHEON, South Korea – Nineteen South Koreans freed by Taliban insurgents after six weeks in captivity returned home to tearful embraces from loved ones Sunday, expressing sorrow for two in their group who were killed in Afghanistan and apologizing to the nation.The former hostages, let go in stages last week …

A distinguished American political analyst, Anthony Silvan Pool, says the US’ anti-Iran distressful efforts stem from internal violence in the White House and the political challenges the country is facing.

Iran’s non-oil exports reached $4 bln and 400 mln in the first four months of the Iranian year from March 2007, announced deputy commerce minister.

Iran is considering alternative builders to finish its first nuclear power plant amid disputes with Russia, which now heads the project, an Iranian official was quoted as saying Friday.

Lebanon has once again turned into a scene of regional and international conflicts, where the Lebanese nation is meant to be used as chess pieces, Lebanese Shiite Leader Allamah Muhammad Hussein Fadhlallah complained.

Iranian and Venezuelan presidents in a phone conversation Thursday night stressed the need for continued extensive cooperation between Tehran and Caracas.

Tehran’s provisional Friday Prayers Leader Ayatollah Mohammad Emami Kashani described Iran’s justice-seeking nature and efforts as the root cause of the antagonistic moves made by the world arrogance, specially the US, against the Islamic Republic.

A senior Iranian nuclear official said the International Atomic Energy Agency’s (IAEA) report showed US suspicions about Tehran’s nuclear intentions were baseless.

Iranian Foreign Minister Manushaher Mottaki described the statements by US President Georges W. Bush on Iran as made “out of despair” in order to justify the presence of US Forces in Iraq and lose attention on the deteriorating popularity of his administration.

The first classical music orchestra from the West to visit Iran since the 1979 Islamic revolution received an enthusiastic welcome during its first of two guest performances in the capital Tehran on Wednesday night.