AFP: Swedish author Knut Ahnlund, a member of the Swedish Academy that awards the Nobel Literature Prize and who boycotted its workings over Iran’s fatwa against Salman Rushdie, has died aged 89, the Academy said Friday.
Outspoken Swedish Academy member, awarder of Nobel, dies
Iranian channel reports bomb outside its office in Damascus
New York Times: Iran’s state-owned satellite channel Press TV reports that a bomb destroyed six vehicles, including a satellite news truck near the broadcaster’s office in Damascus early on Friday.
U.S. demands Iran release hunger-striking human rights lawyer
Reuters: The United States on Friday demanded that Iran free jailed human rights activist Nasrin Sotoudeh, who it said has been on hunger strike for more than six weeks, and sharply criticized Iranian authorities for their treatment of the 49-year-old prize-winning lawyer.
Supposed Iranian nuke graph off; UN still worried
AP: A leaked diagram suggesting that Iran is pursuing a nuclear weapon is scientifically flawed, diplomats working with the U.N. nuclear agency conceded Friday. However they insisted that it still supports suspicions that Tehran is trying to build a bomb, especially when combined with other documents that remain secret.
Iranian defiance at IAEA sparks Western ‘pessimism’
AFP: Iran fiercely denied Friday seeking nuclear weapons and threatened to withdraw from a key treaty aimed at stopping their spread, in another note of defiance just as fresh diplomatic efforts gather pace.
US Senate approves new sanctions on Iran
AFP: The US Senate unanimously approved new economic sanctions Friday aimed at further crippling Iran’s energy, shipping and port sectors, a year after Congress passed tough restrictions against Tehran.
Mursi’s actions may turn Egypt into Iran under Ayatollah Khomeini
Daily Telegraph: The Iranian experience during the 1979 revolution is an object lesson in how a popular uprising can deliver outcomes that are far removed from what was originally intended.
Stray bolts blamed for Iran nuclear plant shutdown: Russia source
Reuters: A Russian-built nuclear reactor in Iran was shut down last month to limit any damage after stray bolts were found beneath the fuel cells, a Russian nuclear industry source said on Friday.
Rice holds stakes in firms that have done business in Iran
Washington Post: U.S. Ambassador to the United Nations Susan E. Rice and her husband own modest stakes in companies that have until recently done business with Iran, prompting new questions from those opposed to her possible nomination as secretary of state.
Lawmakers unveil new round of Iran sanctions
AP: Senators pressed ahead Thursday on a new set of tough sanctions against Iran’s domestic industries as they seek to cripple the Islamic republic’s economy and thwart its nuclear ambitions.
