Brown Field Network, August 8 – The US Agriculture Secretary Mike Johanns arrived in Iraq Monday to discuss the future of Iraqi agriculture with high level officials and Iraqi agricultural producers. Agriculture is the second largest industry in Iraq and employs a quarter of the nation’s work force.
200m UAE Dirham to be invested in Marina 101
UAE daily Khaleej Times reported on August 3 that Sheffield willinvest an additional Dh200 million to the Dh1.4 billion Marina 101 concepttower — the group’s flagship project. Sheffield Real Estate yesterdayalso said that they have got clearances from the Government of Dubai,Department of Tourism and Commerce Marketing to operate a full fledged hotel atMarina 101.
Fiddling While Iran Arms
Russia and China delay meaningful U.N. pressure on Tehran.
Los Angeles Times, August 2 – THE U.N. SECURITY COUNCIL issued another ultimatum to Iran on Monday: Give up on your nuclear weapons program by Aug. 31 — or we’ll hold yet another meeting to discuss your fate. As ultimatums go, it wasn’t especially effective. It may even play into Iran’s hands by allowing it to keep stalling.
The leaders of Iran’s extremist regime have repeatedly played the Security Council and other international bodies, making occasional cooperative noises and claiming that they’re only interested in civilian power while continuing to accelerate their nuclear activities. Most experts think the country is still years away from being able to produce a nuclear weapon, but with each passing month it enriches more uranium — which can be used for power and weapons — and increases its capabilities. Even if Iran eventually suspends this work, the more progress it makes now, the more dangerous it could be later.
Tehran’s response to a European offer in June, said to include such incentives as advanced technology and an end to the ban on sales of U.S. aircraft parts, was typical: It simply didn’t respond. The day the offer was made, Iranian engineers began enriching more uranium. Weeks later, Tehran announced that it would make a decision Aug. 22. On Tuesday, Iran responded belligerently to the U.N. resolution, with President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad saying his country would never give in to such threats.
Stations pin their hopes on Hi-Def radio
JERSEY CITY, N.J. (AFX) – From his 16th floor office at WKTU-FM, program director Jeff Zuchowski has a breathtaking view across the Hudson River of Manhattan. Just the setting for programming the only country music station in New York, with favorites such as "Beer for My Horses" and "Life Ain’t Always Beautiful."
Political prisoner and student activist dies at the hands of Iranian regime
Stop Fundamentalism, August 1 – Mr. Akbar Mohammadi who was arrested during Iran’s nationwide protests seven years ago by the students died in Tehran’s notorious Evin Prison late Sunday several days after he started a hunger strike.
Mohammadi was given 15 years in prison for taking part in the organization the July 1999 student-led anti-government protests that erupted across the country.
In an interview with the state-run news agency ISNA, the director of regime’s prisons in Tehran Province, Sohrab Soleimani, said, "Yesterday, Akbar Mohammadi was in perfect condition and upon his request and after the doctor’s check, he was released from the prison hospital and taken back to his ward."
Mohammadi died on the ninth day of his hunger strike. A week after beginning the protest, he refused to take liquids. Sources say Mohammadi was beaten severely by prison guards prior to his death.
British Land says Matterhorn buys HQ for 50.5 mln stg
LONDON (AFX) – British Land Co PLC said property company Matterhorn Capital has agreed to buy its headquarters in Regent’s Park for 50.5 mln stg.
Dollar rises on strong US core PCE data
LONDON (AFX) – The dollar was higher after data this afternoon showed the core PCE deflator — the Federal Reserve’s preferred measure of inflation — rose at its fastest rate in over ten years in June.
12 kidnapped from Iraq-US Chamber of Commerce and Industry
Khaleej Times, Auguest 1 – Armed men in Iraqi national police uniforms kidnapped 12 workers on Monday at the headquarters of the Iraqi-American Chamber of Commerce and Industry, interior and defence ministry officials said.
Increasing teaching staff allowances
Al-Sabah, July 31 – Iraq State council has finished reviewing new university service law concerning Ministry of higher education and scientific research’s members.
US to hand over 12 stolen paintings to Iraq
Al-Sabah, July 31 – US customhouse said that its administration has resent 12 Iraq artificial paintings that were stolen from Iraq to Iraqi Embassy in the Jordanian capital Amman.
