TEHRAN (Fars News Agency)- Iran’s Expediency Council chairman Akbar Hashemi Rafsanjani extended his condolences to the Turkmen nation and government on the demise of that country’s President Saparmurat Niyazov.

TEHRAN (Fars News Agency)- FIFA officially informed the Islamic Republic of Iran Football Federation (IRIFF) on December 19 2006 that the suspension imposed on the federation on 23 November 2006 had been lifted.

TEHRAN (Fars News Agency)- The effort to sanction Iran in the UN Security Council was meant to showcase international unity against Tehran’s nuclear programs.

TEHRAN (Fars News Agency)- The Security Council postponed voting Friday on a resolution aimed at halting Iran’s nuclear program, after Russia objected that the document restricted legitimate business activities.

TEHRAN (Fars News Agency)- Iranian President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad vowed that nothing would stop Iran pushing ahead with its nuclear program, as world powers prepared to vote Friday on sanctions against Tehran.

TEHRAN (Fars News Agency)- Swiss deputy Foreign Minister Michael Ambol reiterated the need for the settlement of Iran’s nuclear case through negotiations.

TEHRAN (Fars News Agency)- In accordance with its 25-year-long gas contract with Iran, Turkey is not at all authorized to re-export Iran’s natural gas to any other country, Oil Minister Seyed Kazem Vaziri Hamaneh said here on Saturday.

RAMALLAH (AP) — Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas on Saturday announced new presidential and parliament elections to end an increasingly violent standoff with Hamas — a huge gamble that could strengthen the Islamists, drive his people into civil war and further put off peace talks with Israel.

January 25: In its first electoral outing, Hamas sweeps legislative elections in the Palestinian territories, ending 10 years of Fateh domination

BAGHDAD (AP) — Iraq’s prime minister reached out to Sunni Arabs at a national reconciliation conference on Saturday, urging Saddam Hussein-era officers to join the new army and urging a review of the ban against members of the former dictator’s ruling party.