Voice of Russia: China and Iran are holding the world lead in the number of executions. A report published by the Italian group Hands Off Cain, says about 5,000 executions were carried out in China and more than 400 in Iran in 2009.
China, Iran are world’s top executioners
Iran brands Western media ‘dishonest cocky cheats’
AFP: Iran’s deputy culture minister lashed out at Western media on Sunday, branding them “dishonest, cocky cheats,” who will be banned from an annual press fair in the autumn, the ILNA news agency reported.
Prince Charles called on to block modern Iranian embassy next to historic church
Sunday Telegraph: The Prince of Wales is being asked to intervene to prevent Iran building a brand new embassy and Islamic cultural centre next to a historic church in one of Britain’s most expensive neighbourhoods.
Brazil offers haven to Iran woman in adultery case
AP: Brazilian President Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva offered on Saturday to provide refuge to a woman who has been sentenced to death in Iran following her conviction for committing adultery.
US hikers ‘spy’ case not linked to scientist: Iran
AFP: The case of three US hikers held in Tehran is not linked to that of an Iranian nuclear scientist who returned from the United States, an Iranian official said Saturday on the one-year anniversary of their detention.
2 strong earthquakes hit Iran, injuring hundreds
AP: Two strong earthquakes shook different parts of Iran in less than 24 hours, injuring more than 200 people and damaging hundreds of homes, Iranian media reported Saturday.
China invests $40 bln in Iran oil, gas: minister
AFP: Iran’s main economic partner China has invested around 40 billion dollars in the Islamic republic’s oil and gas sector, a senior Iranian official said on Saturday.
Iran mother facing stoning pleads to see children
AFP: An Iranian woman sentenced to death by stoning for adultery in Iran pleaded to be allowed to hug her children, in a letter attributed to her released by human rights activists in London on Saturday.
Obama urges Iran to ‘immediately release’ three US hikers
AFP: President Barack Obama called on Iran Friday to “immediately release” three American hikers being held by the Islamic republic, saying they had never worked for the US government and committed “absolutely no crime.”
Cannon says Iran hides nuclear plans; G-8 will review sanctions
Bloomberg: Canadian Foreign Minister Lawrence Cannon said Iran is “hiding” the truth about its nuclear program and added that the effectiveness of new sanctions will be reviewed by Group of Eight officials when they next meet in September.
