Yahoo News, July 17 – Iraq and the United States signed a commercial cooperation agreement Monday that officials hope will help this country move into a free market after decades of wars, sanctions and state control.
U.S. commerce secretary arrives in Baghdad to meet with prime minister
AP, July 17 – The U.S. commerce secretary visited Baghdad on Monday following calls from President Bush last month to his cabinet to help Iraq’s new government.
Iraqi debt to be reduced by $10 bln soon – Kudrin
Interfax, July 17 – Iraqi debt is to be reduced by $10 billion within the framework of debt relief for the world’s poorest countries, Finance Minster Alexei Kudrin said at a news conference on Sunday in St. Petersburg.
Toyota Looks At Partnering With GM
Ankit Gupta
Chicago, IL, July 17 (AHN) – Japanese auto giant Toyota Motor is considering proposing an alliance with General Motors to prevent its U.S. rival from forming a three-way tie-up with Renault and Nissan.
A Low Cost Carrier To Space
Ankit Gupta
Los Angeles, CA, July 17 (AHN) – Space tourism isn’t necessarily going to be out of the question, if you’re interested. A seat on a Russian spacecraft costs a cool $ 20 million.
But soon, one may have the option of using a "discount carrier" to travel toward outer space.
Lindros Close To Signing With Dallas
Matthew Smith
Dallas, TX, July 16 (AHN) – Free agent Eric Lindros is close to signing a one-year contract with the Dallas Stars.
Schumacher Creates History, Wins 8th Grand Prix Title
Ankit Gupta
Magny-Cours, France, July 17 (AHn) – Ferrari’s Michael Schumacher made Formula One history in France, becoming the first driver to win the same grand prix eight times.
Schumacher’s commanding victory, from pole position on a sweltering afternoon at Magny-Cours, left the seven-time champion 17 points adrift of Renault’s Fernando Alonso with seven races remaining.
Rafter, Sabatini inducted to Tennis Hall of Fame
Patrick Rafter, Gabriela Sabatini and long-time tennis journalist Gianni Clerici were inducted Saturday to the International Tennis Hall of Fame.
FIFA could strip Zidane of award
FIFA president Sepp Blatter has hinted Zinedine Zidane could be stripped of the Golden Ball award because of his actions in Sunday’s World Cup final.
Iran Ali Khamanei praises Hezbollah fight against Israel
Stop Fundamentalism, July 16 – In an appearance on the state-run television, Ali Khamanei, Iran’s Supreme Leader, Called the state of Israel “Zionists who are evil and cancerous just like and infected as a Tumor.â€
Khamanei praised Hezbollah for its operations against Israel to prevent it from an easy occupation of Lebanon. He also rejected the call by United States to disarm Hezbollah.
Hezbollah has declared war on Israel.
The Israeli army has said Hezbollah militants had used Iranian-made missiles in its attacks. An Israeli military intelligence official has also alleged that members of Iran’s powerful ideological army, the Revolutionary Guards, were in Lebanon acting as military advisors.
And Lebanese Druze leader Walid Jumblatt charged that Lebanon has become a proxy battleground for Iran in its fight against US-led pressure on its nuclear program.
