Middle East News

President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad claimed Thursday that Iran has produced its first batch of uranium enriched to a higher level, saying his country will not be bullied by the West into curtailing its nuclear program a day after the U.S. imposed new sanctions.

Iconic world leader Nelson Mandela will not be present at a celebration on Thursday to mark the 20th anniversary of his release from prison in Cape Town after 27 years of incarceration, but will attend the opening of South Africa's parliament.

The Iranian government plans to permanently suspend Google Inc's email service in the country, the 'Wall Street Journal' reported on its website on Wednesday.

Iran expects to produce its first batch of higher enriched uranium in a few days but its initial effort is modest, using only a small amount of feedstock and a fraction of its capacities, according to a confidential document shared with The Associated Press.

Egyptian authorities have accused detained senior members of the Muslim Brotherhood, the country's biggest opposition group, of trying to set up training camps for staging attacks, the group's lawyer said on Wednesday.

Iran believes a nuclear fuel exchange with the West is still possible, state television said on Wednesday, a day after the Islamic Republic's expansion of uranium enrichment drew a US warning of more sanctions soon.

An alleged Islamic militant went on trial on Wednesday on charges of harbouring terrorists behind twin suicide hotel bombings in the Indonesian capital that killed seven and wounded more than 50.

London, Feb.9 (ANI): Former US President George Bush is said to have warned former British Prime Minister Tony Blair that the United States would go ahead with the invasion of Iraq "come what may".

Dubai, Feb. 9 (ANI): In what could become a prelude to the banning of child marriage in Saudi Arabia, the Government has decided to provide legal assistance to a 12-year-old girl who is fighting to divorce her 80-year-old husband.

London, Feb.8 (ANI): Iran's Defence Minister Ahmad Vahidi has opened two production lines for the manufacture of aircraft, especially advanced unmanned drones, which could carry out "surveillance, detection and even assaults with high precision," the country's FARS news agency has reported.

Jerusalem, Feb.6 (ANI): Dubai has said that it will issue an arrest warrant against Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, if investigators conclude that Mossad was behind the killing of a senior Hamas official in the emirate last month.

Tehran, Feb.6 (ANI): Iran Foreign Minister Manouchehr Mottaki has said that China is keen to join the Pakistan-Iran Gas Pipeline Project.

Johannesburg (S. Africa), Feb.6 (ANI): Former South African president Nelson Mandela celebrated the 20th anniversary of his release from prison, and invited his ex-wife Winnie and others to an intimate dinner here on Thursday night.

Ankara, Feb. 5 (ANI): A 16-year-old Turkish girl was buried alive by relatives in an "honour" killing punishment for talking to boys, police say.

Manila (Philippines), Jan 27 (ANI): The world's lightest mobile phone, Modu, will soon be introduced in Philippines.

Riyadh (Saudi Arabia), Jan.21 (ANI): A Saudi man, who reportedly raped more than 100 women after posing as a spell-caster to lure them into his clutches, has been sentenced to death, Saudi media reported on Wednesday.

Abu Dhabi (UAE), Jan.19 (ANI): India is committed to acquiring optimum and an environmentally-friendly mix of primary resources for energy generation, said Union Minister for New and Renewable Energy Dr. Farooq Abdullah.

A roadside bomb exploded on Thursday afternoon near a convoy of Israeli diplomats travelling in Jordan, but caused no injuries, Jordanian officials said.

London, Jan. 8 (ANI): The grave of Neda Soltan, a student protester, who was shot dead by the Iranian militia while demonstrating against the rigged presidential elections, was defaced by the supporters of the Iranian Government for the second time.

London, Dec 31 (ANI): A defector from Ayatollah Ali Khamenei's private guard has revealed that the Supreme Leader of Iran is fond of vulgar jokes.