Tehran exhibits paintings by Vakili, Eszter

Tehran's Mah-e-Maher art gallery has mounted an exhibition of works by Iran's Ahmad Vakili and Hungarian artist Csurka Eszter.

Medication-resistant swine flu spreading

Amid concerns about increasing numbers of swine flu victims despite the use of a vaccine, officials now warn of a new wave of Tamiflu-resistant strain.

'Iran shows good will by offering to buy nuclear fuel'

While nuclear negotiations between Iran and the West have yet to yield a final result, a senior Iranian lawmaker says Tehran's choice to buy its required high-enriched uranium is a sign of 'good will'.

Jordanian commandos join war on Houthi fighters

Jordanian commandos have recently joined the state-led and Saudi-aided offensives against the Houthi fighters in northwestern Yemen, reports say.

Folic acid supplements linked to asthma in newborns

Children born to women taking folic acid supplements late in pregnancy are placed at an increased risk of developing asthma, a new study finds.

Tehran short filmfest names national winners

The Tehran International Short Film Festival has announced winners of this year's National Section in different categories.

In Yemen, Houthis 'capture strategic altitudes'

The Houthi fighters have reportedly seized control of three mountains in a move that could give them notable strategic upper hand.

French develop human skin from stem cells

French researchers have successfully used human embryonic stem cells to create new skin to help those suffering from serious burns.

Medvedev slams own party over vote mishandling

The Russian president has accused the own party of using its dominance and official connections to shape the results of the recent local elections in its favor.

Democrats raising E-funds to counter Palin drive

A Democratic body is seeking to raise USD 500,000 through fundraising emails to counter a "dangerous" Palin's effort to derail health care overhaul efforts.

Over 30,000 people flee DR Congo

Ethnic clashes in the Democratic Republic of Congo have forced more than 30,000 people to flee their homes, humanitarian groups say.

Azerbaijan threatens Armenia with 'military force'

Azerbaijan says it has "the full right" to resort to military action in order to liberate the Nagorno-Karabakh region, which it lost to Armenia in the 1990s.

Childhood abuse speeds up ageing

Children who endured mistreatment, varying from emotional neglect to physical abuse, may be faced with accelerated cellular ageing as adults, a new study finds.

Cervical cancer screening postponed to age 21

Despite the existing guidelines, health officials recommend women to be screened for cervical cancer after the age of 21.

Romania prepares to elect new president

Romanians will cast their ballots in the country's first round of presidential elections following the candidates' final campaign rallies.

66 still trapped, as China mine blast toll hits 42

A gas explosion at a coal mine in northeastern China has left at least 42 people dead, and around 66 others trapped under the rubble.

Hospital hearing set for Fort Hood suspect

US army Major Nidal Hasan is to stand trial at his hospital room for a shooting incident at America's largest onshore military base in which 12 people were killed.

Israel arrests 5 top PA intelligence officers

Five senior Palestinian General Intelligence Service officers have been detained by Israeli forces near the West Bank village of Salfit in an overnight raid.

Anti-Iran resolution draws criticism from NAM, OIC

The Non-aligned Movement (NAM) and the Organization of the Islamic Conference (OIC) have condemned a UN anti-Iran resolution on human rights violation.

Iran to launch largest aerial defense maneuver

Iran is scheduled to launch a large-scale joint aerial defense maneuver in an attempt to prepare itself for any potential attack against the country.

Iraqis demonstrate to slam election law veto

Thousands of Iraqis have poured into the streets in the southern province of Basra as well as the holy city of Najaf in protest of a decision to veto the election law.

China has no plan to cut oil imports from Iran

China says it has no plan to decrease its oil imports from Iran -- the world's fifth largest crude exporter.

Tories vow to pull troops out of Germany

Britain's Conservative Party has pledged to withdraw the UK's troops from Germany as part of the party's defense policies if they win the next general election.

2 Mumbai terror suspects nabbed in Italy

Two Pakistanis suspected of involvment in the Mumbai terror attacks have been arrested in Italy, according to reports.

'Israeli supporters voted for anti-Iran resolution'

Iran has strongly denounced a resolution which accuses the country of violating human rights, calling it a 'dark stain' on UN credibility.

Jordanians march in support of Al-Aqsa Mosque

Hundreds of Jordanians take to the streets in Amman to express deep resentment over Israeli troops' raids into the Al-Aqsa Mosque, while criticizing the attacks as part of a Judaization campaign that targets East Jerusalem Al-Quds.

Student protests grow in California

Angry students in the US state of California have stepped up their protests against the increasing costs of higher education amid arrests and intimidations.

More support for Iran to join Nabucco

A top executive on the Nabucco pipeline project has backed Iran as a gas supplier of the multi-billion-dollar plan.

Kuwaiti premier arrives in Tehran

Kuwait's Prime Minister Sheikh Nasser Mohammed al-Ahmad al-Sabah has arrived in Tehran at the head of a high-ranking political and economic delegation.

China: 31 killed in mine explosion

Chinese authorities say 31 people have been killed in a gas explosion in a coal mine in northeastern China and 82 remain trapped alive.

Ahmadinejad rejects threats, embraces talks

While embracing more talks over Iran's nuclear issue, President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad rejects threats as part of a continuing campaign of psychological warfare against Tehran.

Report: Mullah Omar has fled to Karachi

Afghan Taliban Chief Mullah Omar has fled Quetta and found refuge from potential US drone attacks in Karachi, claims a US newspaper.

US hopes Iran accepts IAEA-backed proposal

The United States has expressed hopes that Iran will still decide to accept the IAEA-backed proposal on a nuclear fuel deal.

Former head of Sipah-e-Sahaba killed in Pakistan

Qari Ilyas Zubair, the former leader of a militant Pakistani extremist group has been shot dead in Karachi by unknown assailants.

CBI: Iran's liquidity grows to $197 bn

The Central Bank of Iran (CBI) says its data show a 35-billion-dollar increase in liquidity growth during the first half of the current Iranian year.

Iran's Azadi complex to host world dragon boating

Tehran's Azadi lake situated in the heart of one of Asia's largest sports centers has been qualified to host the world dragon boat racing championship in 2013.

Colombian military on 'maximum alert'

Colombia has warned that its military forces are on "maximum alert" and prepared to defend the country against any attack, amid rising tensions with Venezuela.

Obama approval rating falls below 50 percent

US President Barack Obama has now dropped, for the first time, below 50 percent approval a Gallup poll has suggested.

Pelosi: Karzai an "unworthy partner"

Nancy Pelosi, the speaker of the US House of Representatives says that Afghan President Hamid Karzai is an "unworthy partner."

Mumbai TV channel attacked by vandals

An Indian television channel broadcasting in the local Marathi language has come under attack in the western city of Mumbai.

Half of Sri Lanka's displaced civilians resettled

Sri Lanka says it has resettled almost half of the country's 280,000 displaced civilians trapped in refugee camps, since it won its fight against the Tamil Tiger rebels.

UNICEF: Afghanistan world's worst place to be born

Eight years after a US-led invasion, Afghanistan has been ranked as the worst place in the world for a child to be born, says a United Nations annual report.

UN warns of torture, killings in Yemen

The United Nations has called on Yemen to investigate allegations of unlawful killings and torture committed by its security forces in the north of the country.

CIA, Pakistan agree on intelligence cooperation

In a meeting between Pakistan's Prime Minister Yousuf Raza Gilani and CIA Chief Leon Panetta, the two sides have agreed to expand military and intelligence cooperation.

Israel to join NATO in Mediterranean Sea

In a move to cooperate with the North Atlantic Treaty Organization (NATO), Israel plans to dispatch a warship to NATO's naval force in the Mediterranean Sea.

Lula: Israeli settlements must stop

Israeli settlement expansion on Palestinian territory must stop immediately, Brazilian President Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva has said.

Mandela, wife voted 'heroes' by world children

Over seven million children from 101 countries have voted Nelson Mandela and his wife Graca Machel as "Decade Child Rights Heroes".

Turkey cancels Russian-won nuclear plant tender

Turkey revokes a tender won by a Russian-led consortium to build the country's first nuclear power plant following a year of constant pressure to cancel the process.

Islamabad under pressure over Blackwater presence

Islamabad is under pressure to meet a deadline to explain the alleged sanctioning of the presence of a notorious US security contractor, formerly known as Blackwater, on the Pakistani soil.

Brazil presses Israel over settlements

The Brazilian President Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva has urged Israel to stop building more settlements on Palestinian territories.

Canada opposes probe into Afghan torture claims

Ottawa firmly opposes a probe into allegations that Canadian soldiers facilitated torture of Afghan nationals, amid the speculations that the case could lead to charges of war crime.

Israeli MP reveals further construction plans

An Israeli lawmaker reveals plans to build several thousand new houses around Jerusalem Al-Quds despite worldwide condemnation of Tel Aviv's relentless settlement expansion.

Chilean aviation workers on strike over pension

Aviation workers in Chile have launched a general strike across the Latin American country to persuade authorities into providing them with better pension plans.

Iranians not scared of Obama 'threats', says cleric

As Washington moves to prepare a new slate of sanctions against Iran, a senior cleric says US President Barack Obama is beginning to show his "ugly face."

Muslim woman assaulted in Germany

A Muslim medical student wearing a headscarf has been beaten up in Gottingen, Germany, in what appears to be a racist attack.

P5+1 says no follow-up from Iran on nuclear proposal

Representatives from six major powers involved in nuclear talks with Iran have expressed disappointment at what they called Tehran's 'lack of follow-up' on a proposed deal for enriched uranium exchange.

CIA ensures deeper US foothold in Pakistan

The US intelligence chief has obtained Islamabad's authorization for further American military and intelligence involvement in Pakistan.

Venezuelan banks seized over irregularities

The Venezuelan government has taken over four private banks in the country for what it described as their incompliance with regulations.

Iraq Supreme Court rejects VP veto attempt

Baghdad rejects Vice President Tariq al-Hashimi's veto of the new election law as divisions over parliamentary seat distribution might jeopardize the key vote scheduled for January.

US to examine feasibility of 9/11 defense system

The US intends to conduct a top-down assessment of the air defense system it has operated since after the 9/11 terrorist attacks on American soil to examine its viability.

Shooting in central Paris kills 1, injures 2

A man with an automatic weapon has opened fire on a car near a Paris train station, killing one man and wounding two others.

In Afghanistan, bomb attacks kill 25

Sporadic bomb attacks across Afghanistan have reportedly killed 25 people only a day after President Hamid Karzai received his controversial second mandate.

In UK, floods devastate Lake District

Military helicopters and boats have rescued dozens of people from devastating floods in the Lake District of the United Kingdom.

Houthis release new footage of Saudi blitz

The Houthi fighters have released new footage, which they say depict Saudi aircraft targeting civilians in northern Yemeni villages near the border.

In Brussels, P5+1 discusses Iran nuclear program

Western powers leading nuclear negotiations with Iran have met in Brussels to discuss Tehran's latest reaction to a proposal for enriched uranium exchange.

IAEA speaks out against fresh sanctions on Iran

While nuclear negotiations between Iran and the West have yet to yield a final result, the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) chief warns against imposing fresh sanctions on the country.

US navy crash blamed on 'catastrophic' leadership

A collision between a nuclear-powered US Navy submarine and a US warship in the Strait of Hormuz was caused by "catastrophic failure" in management, a US Navy report says.

France-Ireland replay match rejected

A request by the Irish soccer authorities for a replay match with France after its unfair World Cup playoff defeat has been rejected, a report says.

Major US stocks suffer broad decline

US stocks have plummeted following hefty declines in global markets amid investor fears over the world's uneasy recovery from recession.

Five ancient crocodile fossils unearthed

Fossils of five exotic crocodiles that lived alongside the dinosaurs 100 million years ago have been found in the Sahara.

US bases under mortar attacks in Iraq

A number of mortar shells have targeted the sprawling US military bases on the outskirts of Tikrit in Iraq's northern province of Salah al-Din.

'EU with president stronger partner to US'

The White House says the appointment of the European Union's first president would make Europe a stronger partner for Washington.

Japan wants US military base out of Okinawa

Japan's Prime Minister Yukio Hatoyama says he will devise a plan to relocate the US military airfield based in Okinawa as soon as possible.

Iran to launch Mesbah 2 satellite in 2011

Iran is to launch another research satellite, the Mesbah 2, in 2011 as part of the country's effort for an independent space program.

Iran's Zob Ahan in Asian Club League semifinals

Iran's Zob Ahan handball squad has advanced to the semifinals of the 12th Asian Men's Club League Championship, held in Amman, Jordan.

Russia: New Iran sanctions not on agenda

Whilst the US threatens Iran with consequences, Russia rules out the possibility of additional UN Security Council sanctions against Tehran at the present juncture.

World condemns new Israeli settlements

More international community members condemn Israel over plans to authorize construction of 900 new housing units at Gilo, a settlement built illegally on Palestinian land occupied in the 1967 war.

US missile strike leaves 10 dead in Waziristan

A US unmanned drone aircraft has fired several missiles into a Pakistani tribal area bordering Afghanistan, killing at least ten people and injuring several others.

UK MP quits key post amid expenses claim probe

A British lawmaker, charged with probing expense claims of fellow MPs, has quit his position following media reports that questioned his own reimbursement claims.

Bomber kills 13, injures 35 in Afghanistan

Amid the worsening security situation in Afghanistan, a bomber has killed 13 people and wounded about three dozens in the country's troubled southwest.

Honduran interim leader may resign

Honduran interim leader Roberto Micheletti says that he may resign from his position temporarily ahead of the Nov. 29 presidential elections.

Gates: No handover to Afghan forces any time soon

US Defense Secretary Robert Gates says it was too soon to set a timeline for shifting security duties from NATO-led troops to Afghan forces, as proposed by Britain.

Germany links Afghan troops surge to Obama decision

The German defense minister says that his country will delay any decision about troop surge in Afghanistan after the US President new war strategy is revealed.

Nasrallah re-elected as Hezbollah Secretary General

The Secretary General of Hezbollah movement, Seyyed Hassan Nasrallah, has been re-elected chief of the Lebanese resistance movement for a sixth term.

Austria: Israel undermining any peace process

Austria has condemned Israel's decision to expand its settlements in occupied Palestinian lands, saying such a decision is a deliberate move to block peace efforts.

Brazil steps up role in ME peace

Brazil, which has stepped up its peacemaking role in the Middle East, is hosting Palestinian Authority's Acting chief Mahmoud Abbas.

Churches call for 'resistance' against Israel

The World Council of Churches (WCC) has called for "resistance" against Israel's decision to expand its settlements in east Jerusalem Al-Quds.

Moroccans protest former Israeli FM's visit

Hundreds of people demonstrate in Morocco's northern city of Tangiers calling for the cancellation of Israel's former foreign minister's participation in a "MEDays" forum.

Zelaya contests November 29 elections

Ousted Honduran president Manuel Zelaya says he would legally contest an upcoming November 29 election and also called for the polls to be postponed.

Russia, Ukraine reach a comprise deal over gas supply

Russian Prime Minister Vladimir Putin has announced a compromise deal with Ukraine on the issue of gas supply, saying Moscow is ready to revise contracts with Kiev.

In prison interview, Barghouti urges unity

Jailed Palestinian politician and activist, Marwan Barghouti, calls on Palestinians to unite and to embark on popular and diplomatic campaigns to achieve their goals.

Cuba slams HRW report

A report slamming Cuba's treatment of its dissidents is only meant to justify Washington's failed, genocidal economic embargo, Cuban state media says.

Fate of Guantanamo detainees remains ambiguous

With US President Barack Obama admitting that he will miss a deadline to shut down the ominous Guantanamo detention facility, the fate of the detainees held there sinks further into confusion.

Russia to 'continue cooperation with Iran'

Russia's Energy Minister Sergei Shmatko has declared that Moscow is determined to continue its cooperation with Iran.

Palestinian structures destroyed in Jerusalem Al-Quds

Despite criticisms over Israeli expansion of illegal settlements and destruction of Palestinian homes, Israelis have again torn down Palestinian properties in east Jerusalem Al-Quds.

Turkish FM to meet Ahmadinejad in Tabriz

Turkish Foreign Minister Ahmet Davutoglu will meet President Ahmadinejad to discuss the latest developments in Iran's nuclear case.

Abdullah rejects Karzai's invitation to join govt.

The Afghan president's main election rival Abdullah Abdullah snubs Hamid Karzai's invitation to join a unity government, saying the recently sworn-in head of state is not able to live up to expectations at home and abroad.

EU leaders choose Belgian PM as president

EU leaders have chosen Belgian Prime Minister Herman Van Rompuy as the European Union's first president, diplomats say.

Obama nominates Republican Perino to BBG

Barack Obama has nominated the former President George Bush's press secretary, Dana Perino, for a spot on the Broadcasting Board of Governors (BBG).

2 more US soldiers killed in Afghanistan blast

A bomber has detonated his explosives-laden vehicle at a US military base in southern Afghanistan, killing at least two soldiers and injuring several others.