Xinhuanet: The World Bank approved a 220-million-dollar loan Thursday to the Government of Iran for a project to help restore the living conditions of communities in the southeastern city of Bam which was struck by a powerful earthquake nearly a year ago. The four-year project, the Bam Earthquake Emergency Reconstruction Project, was prepared in response to the Government of Iran’s request to support its reconstruction efforts after the December 28, 2003 earthquake, the World Bank said in a press release.
World Bank approves loan to help reconstruction in Bam, Iran
European parliament condemns human rights abuses in Iran
AFP: The European Parliament expressed alarm Thursday at the deterioration in the area of human rights in Iran, in particular those relating to press freedom and the death penalty. “The situation in Iran with regard to the exercise of key civil rights and political freedom has deteriorated since the parliamentary elections of February this year despite commitments on the part of the government of Iran to promoting these universal values,” according to a motion passed by the parliament.
Iran stays firm on nuclear curbs
BBC: Top Iranian nuclear negotiator Hossein Mousavian has ruled out a long-term suspension of uranium enrichment.
Mr Mousavian told the BBC it was completely illogical for the international community to ask Iran to stop its enrichment activities. What was being considered was a suspension for a few months, he said.
Iran steps up confrontation with Europe on nuclear deal
The Independent: Iran yesterday stepped up its confrontation with European countries as its Supreme Leader threatened to break off negotiations over its suspect nuclear weapons programme.
Senior officials from Britain, France and Germany yesterday held negotiations in Vienna with an Iranian delegation to …
In Brief
Iran Focus:
Iranians arrested in Basra, Kirkuk
Prison riot leaves 3 dead, many wounded
Young Afghan man sentenced to execution
Over 150 protests nationwide over past month
New suppressive forces in Babol during Ramadan
3,000 workers laid off
Accidents at work leave 12 dead from burns this week
Iran Refuses Nuclear Suspension Again
Associated Press: Iran ruled out a total suspension of
uranium enrichment Wednesday as a second round of talks with European negotiators failed to produce an agreement aimed at avoiding a showdown and the possible threat of U.N. sanctions.
EU Trio, Iran Fail to Reach Nuke Deal
Reuters: France, Britain and Germany failed to reach a deal with Iran on Wednesday under which Tehran would scrap its uranium enrichment program in exchange for nuclear power technology, but the two sides agreed to meet again.
Talks in Vienna on the European proposal ended without agreement, but Britain and Iran said the talks had been constructive.
Iran’s heavy water plant to be operational within month: official
AFP: Iran said Wednesday a heavy water plant will go online within a month near the central city of Arak, despite international pressure for Tehran to suspend such nuclear-related activities.
“With two out of three units already operational, we are currently able to produce heavy water with 15 percent,” said the plant’s research and development chief, Manoushehr Madadi, the state news agency IRNA reported.
Group claims Iran has nuclear program
UPI: An Iranian opposition group claims Iranian leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei has ordered the secret continuation of nuclear weapons development.
Speaking to reporters in Paris, Mohammad Mohaddessin, chairman
of the National Council of Resistance of Iran, said the Iranian regime
is “playing a double game” with Europe as the U.N. International Atomic Energy Agency keeps an uneasy eye on the country’s nuclear possessions.
Iran to respond to EU nuclear offer, diplomats pessimistic
AFP: Iran returned to talks here Wednesday with Europe’s three heavyweight countries aimed at resolving a long-running dispute over its nuclear program, although diplomats were sceptical of a breakthrough.
The meeting started behind closed doors at the French embassy in Vienna, a French diplomat said shortly after midday (1000 GMT).
