TEHRAN (Fars News Agency)- Australian ambassador to Tehran Monday said that his country is optimistic about the trend of nuclear talks between Iran and the west.

TEHRAN (Fars News Agency)- Despite the U.S. sanctions and business restriction on Iran, the coming Wednesday is to witness the inking of a finance agreement between National Iranian Oil Company (NIOC) and French Societe General Bank for development plans in oil- and gas-rich southern Iran.

TEHRAN (Fars News Agency)- The United States is taking the financial fight to Iran as it steps up pressure on its allies to get tough over the Islamic republic’s nuclear plans. But are its partners listening?

TEHRAN (Fars News Agency)- Iranian Defense Minister Mostafa Mohammad Najjar Monday said that several defense projects which will sharply increase the country’s military capabilities will become operational during the next week.

TEHRAN (Fars News Agency)- Pope Benedict tried on Sunday to calm Muslim anger at his remarks on Islam, saying he was “deeply sorry” about the reaction and that medieval quotes he used on holy war did not reflect his personal views.

RAMALLAH — Shots were fired in Gaza yesterday when bodyguards around Palestinian Prime Minister Ismail Haniyeh tried to disperse protesters that had gathered in front of the parliament building in Gaza City.

BAGHDAD (Reuters) — Bombs killed 30 people in a police recruitment centre in central Iraq and in a popular market in the north on Monday, as politicians wrangled over a federation bill some fear could unleash sectarian civil war.

THE CRISES IN Somalia and Sudan are pitting Arabs and African governments against each other, sharpening a centuries-old continental divide.

GENEVA (AP) — UN Secretary General Kofi Annan urged the United Nations’ human rights watchdog on Monday to focus its attention on Sudan’s war-ravaged region of Darfur, even as Muslim states demanded the UN Human Rights Council (UNHRC) address the Pope’s recent comments on Islam and alleged Israeli rights violations.

SANAA (AFP) — Veteran Yemeni President Ali Abdullah Saleh faces his first real electoral test in 28 years in power Wednesday when the Middle East’s poorest country goes to the polls amid persistent Islamist and tribal unrest.