BUCHAREST (Reuters) – Once a laggard among former Soviet allies in joining the European Union and NATO, Romania hopes the military alliance’s summit in Bucharest this week will earn the Black Sea state a bigger role in southeastern Europe.

TEHRAN (FNA)- Iranian Foreign Minister Manouchehr Mottaki expressed hope that Syria’s presidency over the Arab Summit will help put an end to the ongoing crisis in Palestine.

TEHRAN (FNA)- The managing director of Marun Oil and Gas Production Company said his firm is ahead of a planned program of production and is now producing 590,270 barrels of crude oil per day.