China shows no sign of budging on Iran sanctions

BEIJING (AP) – China showed no sign Tuesday of throwing its support behind new sanctions against Iran following talks with Britain's foreign minister.

EU's Ashton says Israeli settlement plans hurt peace moves

CAIRO (Reuters) -- Israel's plans to build new settlements in occupied East Jerusalem threaten the renewal of peace talks with the Palestinians, the European Union's foreign policy chief Catherine Ashton said on Monday.

Lula refuses to visit grave of founder of Zionism

Brazilian President Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva has refused to visit the grave of Theodor Herzl, the founder of modern Zionism.

Riots in Beit-ul-Moqaddas as Hamas calls for intafada

BEIT-UL-MOQADDAS (AFP) – Hundreds of Palestinians clashed with security forces in East Beit-ul-Moqaddas on Tuesday as tension boiled over in the city and a senior Hamas leader called for a new “intifada,” or uprising.

Amr Moussa points to hypocrisy on Israel’s nukes
Israel is the real nuclear threat

Arab League Secretary General Amr Moussa has denounced Israel for its possession of a vast nuclear arsenal.

Anxiety on succession in Egypt as Mubarak recovers
by Mona Salem

CAIRO (AFP) – Ten days after Egyptian President Hosni Mubarak underwent surgery in Germany, there is growing uncertainty over his state of health and increased talk about who will eventually succeed him.

Persian Press Review
Tehran Times Political Desk

The column ‘Persian Press Review’ features the headlines and leading articles carried by Farsi dailies.

U.S. House wishes Happy Nowruz to Iranians

WASHINGTON (AFP) – The U.S. House of Representatives on Monday voted overwhelmingly to wish a Happy Nowruz for the Persian New Year, saluting contributions by Iranian Americans.

Distinguished diplomat named Tehran’s ambassador to Beijing
Tehran Times Political Desk

TEHRAN – Mehdi Safari, Iran’s current special envoy on the Caspian Sea affairs, has been appointed as Tehran’s ambassador to China.

Iran-Egypt cooperation will benefit Islamic world: Larijani
Tehran Times Political Desk

TEHRAN - Iranian Majlis Speaker Ali Larijani says that Islamic countries will derive considerable benefit from Iran-Egypt cooperation.

Iran-Pakistan gas deal operational by Friday
Tehran Times Economic Desk

TEHRAN – Tehran and Islamabad will sign the operating contract of gas export from Iran to Pakistan by Friday, the Iranian deputy oil minister said here on Tuesday.