http://www.citizensugar.com/ Breaking News, Together. en http://www.citizensugar.com/2547158 <p><span class="inline left"><img src="http://images.teamsugar.com/files/upl1/19/193328/48_2008/0202c165f091ad7a_Picture_2.xlarge.jpg" alt="" title="" class="image right xlarge" height="320" width="300"></span>In 2004 Ameneh Bahrami, an Iranian woman, rejected a man's multiple marriage proposals, only to have him throw a jar of acid in her face and blind her. Four years later, an Iranian court has <a href="http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/middle_east/7754756.stm" target="_blank">sentenced the 27-year-old attacker to be blinded</a>, calling on the Islamic law of "qias" or equivalence.</p> <p>BBC reports that Ameneh, who lost one eye and was otherwise significantly disfigured, received reconstructive face surgery in Europe; but doctors could not bring back her sight. She told the court that since the attack, she has lived in fear, and she pleaded that the man who blinded her face the same fate. The court followed her wishes.</p> <p>Iranian officials hope the retributive sentence will prevent future acid attacks. Does this punishment bring the victim and society down to the criminal's level, or is it only fair that he feel the pain she does? </p> <p><a href="http://www.gettyimages.com" target="_blank">Source</a></p> http://www.citizensugar.com/2547158#comment Human Rights Iran Law Sun, 30 Nov 2008 06:00:55 -0800 LibertySugar http://www.citizensugar.com/2547158 http://www.citizensugar.com/2493222 <p><span class="inline left"><img src="http://images.teamsugar.com/files/upl1/19/193328/46_2008/030df02cc1e2ceb7_83658393.xlarger.jpg" alt="" title="" class="image center xlarger" height="271" width="400"></span></p> <ul> <li>Iran announced today that it tested a new surface-to-surface air missile, adding that it is ready to defend itself against an attack. — <a href="http://www.reuters.com/article/topNews/idUSTRE4AB1WG20081112?feedType=RSS&amp;feedName=topNews" target="_blank">Reuters</a></li> <li>John McCain will go to Georgia tomorrow to push for Republican Senator Saxby Chambliss, who is stuck in a tight race there with a Democratic challenger. Three Senate races, in Georgia, Minnesota, and Alaska, have yet to be called. If they go Democrat, the party will significantly widen its majority in Senate. — <a href="http://www.usatoday.com/news/politics/election2008/2008-11-11-senate-races_N.htm?csp=DailyBriefing" target="_blank">USA Today</a></li> <p><span class="inline left"><img src="http://images.teamsugar.com/files/upl1/19/193328/46_2008/f0bb9c581bc8b46c_Wednesday_Front_Page" alt="" title="" class="image left larger" height="179" width="240"></span> <li>Lobbyists will be restricted from participating in President-elect Barack Obama's transition to the White House. Under self-imposed ethics restrictions, Obama will not allow lobbyists to work in areas in which they have worked for clients in the last year.— <a href="http://www.nytimes.com/2008/11/12/us/politics/12obama.html?_r=1&amp;hp&amp;oref=" target="_blank"> New York Times</a></li> <li>The US and Russia will begin talks on nuclear proliferation tomorrow, working toward a new treaty to replace the expiring Strategic Arms Reduction Treaty (START). The Bush administration also is planning to minimize Russian objections to a US missile defense program in Europe. — <a href="http://www.salon.com/wires/ap/world/2008/11/12/D94DDQJ80_eu_us_russia_arms_talks/index.html" target="_blank">Associated Press</a></li> </ul> <p><a href="http://www.gettyimages.com" target="_blank">Source</a></p> http://www.citizensugar.com/2493222#comment Barack Obama Front Page Iran John McCain Lobbyists Russia Wed, 12 Nov 2008 08:00:00 -0800 CitizenSugar http://www.citizensugar.com/2493222 http://www.citizensugar.com/2465391 <p><span class="inline left"><img src="http://images.teamsugar.com/files/upl1/19/193328/45_2008/65451b35de73db03_Obama-Last-Rally.xlarge.jpg" alt="" title="" class="image right xlarge" height="220" width="320"></span> <ul> <li> Last night the candidates wrapped up two years of campaigning. Barack Obama saved his biggest Virginia rally for last — a jam-packed event in Manassas with 90,000 people reportedly in attendance. Meanwhile, a fired-up John McCain told supporters to "be strong and fight" in an election eve rally Monday, his last before voters in swing state Nevada weigh in. — <a href="http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2008/11/04/the-final-rallies-obama-m_n_140800.html" target="_blank"> Huffington Post</a></li> <li>Long lines formed when polls opened in Eastern states. Barack Obama's bid to become the first black president faces the final test of his remarkable two-year journey, while Republican John McCain presses for an Election Day upset. — <a href="http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/27531033/" target="_blank">MSNBC</a></li> <li>A report released on Monday by a state board found that Gov. Sarah Palin did not apply improper pressure to try to dismiss a state trooper who was her former brother-in-law and did not violate state ethics laws in the firing of her public safety commissioner. The report by the Alaska Personnel Board contradicts the conclusions last month of a separate inquiry into the matter overseen by a bipartisan legislative panel. — <a href="http://www.nytimes.com/2008/11/04/us/politics/04palin.html?_r=1&amp;hp&amp;oref=" target="_blank">New York Times</a></li> <p><span class="inline left"><img src="http://images.teamsugar.com/files/upl1/19/193328/45_2008/a9073acb9f083d03_Tuesday_Front_Page" alt="" title="" class="image left larger" height="179" width="240"></span> <li>Taiwan and China set aside decades of hostilities today, agreeing to expand flights and allow shipping links across the Taiwan Strait, a hotspot that has long threatened to become a war zone. — <a href="http://ap.google.com/article/ALeqM5iXt7bR7vvawb-V4evDadgE8i5NQQD9485BH02" target="_blank">Associated Press</a></p> <li>Iran's parliament sacked its interior minister after he admitted a degree he said he obtained from Oxford University was a forgery. It is a setback for Mahmoud Ahmadinejad eight months before he faces presidential elections. — <a href="http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/middle_east/7707963.stm" target="_blank">BBC News</a></li> </ul> <p><a href="http://www.gettyimages.com" target="_blank">Source</a></p> http://www.citizensugar.com/2465391#comment 2008 Presidential Election China Front Page Iran Taiwan Tue, 04 Nov 2008 07:30:00 -0800 LibertySugar http://www.citizensugar.com/2465391 http://www.citizensugar.com/2426142 <p><span class="inline left"><a href="http://www.citizensugar.com/gallery/view/2426131?page=0,0,0" ><img src="http://images.teamsugar.com/files/upl1/19/193328/44_2008/32e653b17ea8cae2_Syria-Raid.xlarge.jpg" alt="" title="" class="image right xlarge" height="234" width="320"></a></span>Tensions are boiling in the Middle East after a US Special Operations mission took place inside Syria along its border with Iraq. On Sunday, reports broke that US helicopters, coming from Iraq, entered Syrian airspace to <a href="http://www.guardian.co.uk/news/blog/2008/oct/27/syria-usa" target="_blank">attack civilian buildings</a>, killing eight people. The US confirmed the operation, without giving any details. </p> <p>Now, Syria and Iran are speaking out against the "war crime." Iran's Foreign Ministry <a href="http://www.nytimes.com/2008/10/28/world/middleeast/28syria.html?_r=1&amp;hp&amp;oref=" target="_blank">spokesman said</a>: "Iran condemns in strongest terms any form of aggression or violation of the states’ territorial integrity, which leads to the death of innocent civilians." And as for Syria itself, the foreign minister <a href="http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/middle_east/7693583.stm" target="_blank">spoke out today saying</a>:<br /> <blockquote>We consider this criminal and terrorist aggression. We put the responsibility on the American government. Killing civilians in international law means a terrorist aggression.</p></blockquote> <p>While the Europeans move toward warmer relations with Syria, the Bush Administration has contended for some time that the Syrians must do more to control the movement of insurgents along the border. The details behind the hit are still unclear, but <a href="http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/middle_east/7692263.stm" target="_blank">some suspect Bush took a parting shot</a> at what he deems an uncooperative country with ties too close to Iran. </p> <p><p><div style="float:left;line-height:8px;margin-bottom:0px;font-size:9px"><div id=mask-26240 class=mask style=';width:100px;height:100px;overflow:hidden;background:#FFF;margin:0px 8px 8px 0px;border:0px solid #111;padding:0px;' onmouseover={style.borderColor='#ff3399'} onmouseout={style.borderColor='#111'}><div style='margin-left:0px;margin-top:0px;padding:0px;'><a target="gallery4" class="thumb2 active" href="http://citizensugar.com/gallery/view/2426131?page=0,0,0"><img src="http://images.teamsugar.com/files/upl1/19/193328/44_2008/83449306.mediumsquare.jpg" alt="" title="" class="image mediumsquare" height="100" width="100" /></a></div></div></div><div style="float:left;line-height:8px;margin-bottom:0px;font-size:9px"><div id=mask-91735 class=mask style=';width:100px;height:100px;overflow:hidden;background:#FFF;margin:0px 8px 8px 0px;border:0px solid #111;padding:0px;' onmouseover={style.borderColor='#ff3399'} onmouseout={style.borderColor='#111'}><div style='margin-left:0px;margin-top:0px;padding:0px;'><a target="gallery4" class="thumb2 " href="http://citizensugar.com/gallery/view/2426131?page=0,1,0"><img src="http://images.teamsugar.com/files/upl1/19/193328/44_2008/83449587.mediumsquare.jpg" alt="" title="" class="image mediumsquare" height="100" width="100" /></a></div></div></div><div style="float:left;line-height:8px;margin-bottom:0px;font-size:9px"><div id=mask-33857 class=mask style=';width:100px;height:100px;overflow:hidden;background:#FFF;margin:0px 8px 8px 0px;border:0px solid #111;padding:0px;' onmouseover={style.borderColor='#ff3399'} onmouseout={style.borderColor='#111'}><div style='margin-left:0px;margin-top:0px;padding:0px;'><a target="gallery4" class="thumb2 " href="http://citizensugar.com/gallery/view/2426131?page=0,2,0"><img src="http://images.teamsugar.com/files/upl1/19/193328/44_2008/83449632.mediumsquare.jpg" alt="" title="" class="image mediumsquare" height="100" width="100" /></a></div></div></div><div style="float:left;line-height:8px;margin-bottom:0px;font-size:9px"><div id=mask-8330 class=mask style=';width:100px;height:100px;overflow:hidden;background:#FFF;margin:0px 8px 8px 0px;border:0px solid #111;padding:0px;' onmouseover={style.borderColor='#ff3399'} onmouseout={style.borderColor='#111'}><div style='margin-left:0px;margin-top:0px;padding:0px;'><a target="gallery4" class="thumb2 " href="http://citizensugar.com/gallery/view/2426131?page=0,3,0"><img src="http://images.teamsugar.com/files/upl1/19/193328/44_2008/83449647.mediumsquare.jpg" alt="" title="" class="image mediumsquare" height="100" width="100" /></a></div></div></div><div style="float:left;line-height:8px;margin-bottom:0px;font-size:9px"><div id=mask-90345 class=mask style=';width:100px;height:100px;overflow:hidden;background:#FFF;margin:0px 8px 8px 0px;border:0px solid #111;padding:0px;' onmouseover={style.borderColor='#ff3399'} onmouseout={style.borderColor='#111'}><div style='margin-left:0px;margin-top:0px;padding:0px;'><a target="gallery4" class="thumb2 " href="http://citizensugar.com/gallery/view/2426131?page=0,4,0"><img src="http://images.teamsugar.com/files/upl1/19/193328/44_2008/83450033.mediumsquare.jpg" alt="" title="" class="image mediumsquare" height="100" width="100" /></a></div></div></div></p><br clear="all"></p> <p><a href="http://www.gettyimages.com" target="_blank">Source</a></p> http://www.citizensugar.com/2426142#comment Headline Iran Middle East Military Syria Mon, 27 Oct 2008 10:01:47 -0700 LibertySugar http://www.citizensugar.com/2426142 http://www.citizensugar.com/2340497 <p>A rogue Russian nuclear scientist working with a Middle Eastern government to develop a nuclear weapon sounds like a plot from <b>24</b>, but it could be reality. The <a href="http://www.nytimes.com/2008/10/10/world/10nuke.html?ref=europe<br /> ">New York Times reports</a> that inspectors from the International Atomic Energy Agency are investigating allegations that a Russian nuclear scientist helped Iran conduct complex experiments, in order to help Iran eventually detonate a nuclear weapon. The agency believes that the scientist was not working on behalf of the Russian government.<br /> <span class="inline left"><img src="http://images.teamsugar.com/files/upl1/19/193328/41_2008/73849900.xxlarge.jpg" alt="" title="" class="image center xxlarge" height="334" width="500"></span><br /> European and American officials say the new document allegedly showing the Russian's assistance adds to existing evidence that Iran has conducted nuclear experiments. Iran says the document is a forgery, and that it has not conducted experiments related to nuclear weapons. </p> <p>After the collapse of the Soviet Union, Russians got paid to assist Iran in building atomic weapons. Hopefully countries with nuclear weapons can find effective ways of securing valuable and dangerous information held inside the minds of scientists. </p> <p><a href="http://www.gettyimages.com" target="_blank">Source</a></p> http://www.citizensugar.com/2340497#comment Iran Military Russia Sat, 11 Oct 2008 07:00:00 -0700 LibertySugar http://www.citizensugar.com/2340497 http://www.citizensugar.com/2293124 <p><span class="inline left"><img src="http://images.teamsugar.com/files/upl1/10/104169/41_2008/83158804.xlarge.jpg" alt="" title="" class="image right xlarge" height="222" width="320"></span> <ul> <li><b>Thai Legislators Trapped:</b><br /> Thousands of anti-government protesters surrounded the Thai Parliament today, <a href="http://www.nytimes.com/2008/10/08/world/asia/08thai.html?_r=1&amp;hp&amp;oref=slogin" target="_blank">trapping legislators inside</a> for more than five hours. The incident followed a day of street clashes that left more than 100 people injured. The siege was an escalation of a six-week sit-in seeking to change the country’s democratic system to weaken the electoral power of the rural poor.</li> <p><span class="inline left"><img src="http://images.teamsugar.com/files/upl1/10/104169/41_2008/Tuesday.larger.jpg" alt="" title="" class="image left larger" height="179" width="240"></span> <li><b>Fed Considers Plan to Buy Debt:</b><br /> The Federal Reserve is considering a proposal to buy <a href="http://www.nytimes.com/2008/10/07/business/07markets.html?hp" target="_blank">large amounts of unsecured short-term debt</a> that companies use to finance daily activities. The plan is a radical move to jump start the financial system, and though it puts more taxpayer dollars in play, a radical move is seen as necessary to reinvigorate the financial system. The Dow finished below 10,000 yesterday for the first time since 2004.</li> <li><b>Report of Western Plane Down:</b><br /> Iranian news is reporting Iran has <a href="http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/middle_east/7657066.stm" target="_blank">forced down a Western plane</a> that entered its airspace. After initial reports that it was a US military plane, a claim refuted by the Pentagon, a senior Iranian official says the plane belongs to a European aid agency. Apparently the occupants of the plane have been released following questioning.</li> </ul> <p><a href="http://www.gettyimages.com" target="_blank">Source</a></p> http://www.citizensugar.com/2293124#comment Economy Front Page Iran Protests Thailand Tue, 07 Oct 2008 06:58:36 -0700 CitizenSugar http://www.citizensugar.com/2293124 http://www.citizensugar.com/2070289 <p>Anti-Ahmadinejad rallies outside the UN today <a href="http://www.haaretz.com/hasen/spages/1023696.html" target="_blank">turned into anti-Obama rallies</a> critical of the senator's support of talks with Iran. Meanwhile, NPR opened a dialogue of its own with the Iranian president. Here are some highlights from Mahmoud Ahmadinejad's <a href="http://www.npr.org/templates/story/story.php?storyId=94887472" target="_blank">interview with the station</a>, during which he says Iran seeks no confrontation. </p> <p><span class="inline left"><img src="http://images.teamsugar.com/files/upl1/19/193328/39_2008/82618615.jpg" alt="" title="" class="image preview" height="227" width="550"></span></p> <ul> <li><b>On Iran's stated plans to enrich uranium for energy, not for a bomb</b>:<br /> The people of the world, the majority actually, support our stand. One hundred eighteen member states of NAM have declared their commitment to our program and supported it. The Non-Aligned Movement. And 57 member states of the OIC, the Organization of the Islamic Conference, too have supported our position. . . . You are speaking of only three or four countries, led by the United States and with a couple of their European friends, and we don't care about them, because they don't represent the whole world.</li> <li><b>On whether international confrontation is in Iran's interest</b>:<br /> We do not have any confrontation with anyone. We seek relations based on respect and justice. . . . Why is it that the US administration and two or three groups that follow it allow themselves to speak for the world? </li> <li><b>On the American elections:</b><br /> I ask you, can anyone in fact become a president without the support of either of the two parties here in the United States? . . . Are 300 million people here in America members of either of the two parties? No, not necessarily. People have no other choices here. You only have two choices. In Iran, at least, we have eight. Who is more free? Who has more confidence in its people?</li> </ul> <p>To find out how Iran's president addresses his statements toward Israel, freedoms in Iran, and how he thinks the US and Iran can move forward, </p> <p><a href="http://www.citizensugar.com/2070289">read more</a></p> http://www.citizensugar.com/2070289#comment Iran Mahmoud Ahmadinejad NPR United Nations Tue, 23 Sep 2008 15:45:36 -0700 LibertySugar http://www.citizensugar.com/2070289 http://www.citizensugar.com/2037339 <p><span class="inline left"><img src="http://images.teamsugar.com/files/upl1/19/193328/38_2008/82874349.jpg" alt="" title="" class="image right preview" height="452" width="300"></span>Russia <a href="http://www.timesonline.co.uk/tol/news/world/europe/article4781027.ece" target="_blank">announced yesterday</a> that it plans to sell military equipment to Iran. If you're dying to know what Iran's President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad has to say about the deal, he'd probably be willing to discuss it with John McCain and Barack Obama.</p> <p>Ahmadinejad has invited the presidential candidates to <a href="http://www.breitbart.com/article.php?id=D93953U80&amp;show_article=1&amp;catnum=0" target="_blank">debate him on the world stage</a>. Specifically, the Iranian leader would like to chat about global developments at the UN headquarters in New York with John McCain and Barack Obama. And even though he's making the visit to New York for opening session, still thinks that the UN should move its headquarters from the US, to an impartial host country. </p> <p>At least one person on the tickets will forcefully say "thanks, but no thanks" to Ahmadinejad. Sarah Palin <a href="http://www.nytimes.com/2008/09/18/us/politics/18york.html?ref=nyregion" target="_blank">plans on having meetings at the UN</a> next week, and she was set to join an anti-Iran rally outside the UN, until <a href="http://thecaucus.blogs.nytimes.com/2008/09/18/palin-invitation-rescinded/" target="_blank">her invitation was taken back</a>. </p> <p>Even though it's <i>not</i> happening, do you think a televised debate with Iran's president would have any positive results?</p> <p><a href="http://www.gettyimages.com" target="_blank">Source</a></p> http://www.citizensugar.com/2037339#comment 2008 Presidential Election Iran Mahmoud Ahmadinejad United Nations Fri, 19 Sep 2008 06:00:07 -0700 LibertySugar http://www.citizensugar.com/2037339 http://www.citizensugar.com/2021359 <p>President Bush wants to take one last shot as an international salesman before he leaves office in January. The Bush administration is peddling tanks, helicopters, fighter jets, missiles, remotely piloted aircraft, and warships to Iraq, Afghanistan, and Canada, along with countries in Africa, Asia, Latin America, and Europe in hopes of arming allies and containing North Korea and Iran. </p> <p><span class="inline left"><img src="http://images.teamsugar.com/files/upl1/19/193328/38_2008/74137920.preview.jpg" alt="" title="" class="image preview" height="349" width="550"></span></p> <p>An air force official working on the large-scale deals says <a href="http://www.iht.com/articles/2008/09/14/america/arms.php" target="_blank">sprinkling the world with Made in USA weapons</a> "is about building a more secure world." The arms deals will last far after Bush leaves office, and will be partly financed by the US. Each year America gives 60 countries a total of $4.5 billion to help buy American weapons. </p> <p>For more on the US push, and how Iran might have some weapons to sell, too, </p> <p><a href="http://www.citizensugar.com/2021359">read more</a></p> http://www.citizensugar.com/2021359#comment Department of Defense Headline Iran Military Mon, 15 Sep 2008 15:45:00 -0700 LibertySugar http://www.citizensugar.com/2021359 http://www.citizensugar.com/1968503 <p><span class="inline left"><img src="http://images.teamsugar.com/files/upl1/10/104169/37_2008/73909601.xlarge.jpg" alt="" title="" class="image right xlarge" height="229" width="320"></span> <ul> <li><b>Tree-Sitters Climb Down:</b><br /> After a 21-month occupation, four remaining tree-sitters in an oak grove on the UC Berkeley campus, <a href="http://www.nytimes.com/aponline/us/AP-Treesitter-Standoff.html" target="_blank">climbed down and into police custody</a>. School officials had cut off food and water supplies Monday and were prepared to remove the activists using force. The tree-sitters were trying to stop the construction of a $125 million sports center which threatened 42 trees on campus.</li> <p><span class="inline left"><img src="http://images.teamsugar.com/files/upl1/10/104169/37_2008/Wednesday.larger.jpg" alt="" title="" class="image left larger" height="179" width="240"></span> <li><b>Quake Shakes Iran:</b><br /> A 6.1 magnitude earthquake has <a href="http://www.alertnet.org/thenews/newsdesk/LA218124.htm" target="_blank">hit southern Iran</a> near the site of a large Iranian oil refinery, injuring 22 and killing three. Officials fear the quake damaged older parts in the refinery. Iran is the world's fourth largest oil exporter, the refinery struck processes 320,000 barrels a day.</li> <p><br clear=all></p> <li><b>More Calling Suicide Hotline:</b><br /> More Americans are calling the government's suicide hotline, 47,000 of them in the last month alone. The line receives a <a href="http://www.nytimes.com/aponline/washington/AP-Suicide-Hot-Line.html" target="_blank">10 percent increase every month</a>, which the staff attributes to more people knowing about it, than an increase in the suicidal. In 2005, the last year of the data, there were more than 32,600 suicide deaths.</li> <li><b>US Deficit at $438 Billion:</b><br /> The US budget deficit is set <a href="http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/business/7607872.stm" target="_blank">to reach $438 billion</a> in 2009 according to Congressional Budget Office estimates. The figure doesn't take into account government costs associated with taking over Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac. The previous record for deficit was $413 billion in 2004. Last year's deficit was $161 billion.</li> </ul> <p><a href="http://www.gettyimages.com" target="_blank">Source</a></p> http://www.citizensugar.com/1968503#comment Activists Berkeley Congress Earthquake Eco Economy Front Page Iran Suicide The Daily Planet Wed, 10 Sep 2008 07:00:28 -0700 CitizenSugar http://www.citizensugar.com/1968503 http://www.citizensugar.com/1869429 <p><span class="inline left"><img src="http://images.teamsugar.com/files/upl1/10/104169/33_2008/78123385.preview.jpg" alt="" title="" class="image right preview" width="325"></span>Iraqi Shi'ite assassination teams are being readied in four locations in Iran, with the mission to return to Iraq and <a href="http://ap.google.com/article/ALeqM5hvMKVaio8nTfmHFLUM_usu_Kr8sQD92IJHSG2" target="_blank">kill specific Iraqi officials</a> before targeting US and Iraqi troops. The info comes from captured militia fighters and sources within Iraq. A senior US military intelligence officer confirmed the story under the condition of anonymity, acknowledging that disclosing the info is an attempt to pressure Iran to suspend the training and prevent militia fighters from returning to Iraq. To this end, "Wanted" posters picturing the men thought to be involved. </p> <p>The fighters are expected to return to Iraq between now and October, and the US is encouraging the Iraqi government to confront Iran on the issue. It's thought that part of the reason violence has declined is that the militants have moved from Basra and Sadr City to Iran. The fighters are thought to be offshoots of cleric Muqtada al-Sadr's militia having made their own groups after al-Sadr declared a cease-fire with the Iraqi government in August 2007. </p> <p>Are the training pockets small and isolated incidents, or does it put the notion that the surge has worked to quell violence into question? </p> <p><a href="http://www.gettyimages.com" target="_blank">Source</a></p> http://www.citizensugar.com/1869429#comment Headline Iran Iraq Iraq War Military War in Iraq Fri, 15 Aug 2008 09:00:52 -0700 CitizenSugar http://www.citizensugar.com/1869429 http://www.citizensugar.com/node/1845145 <a href="http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2008/08/05/iran-executes-journalist_n_116996.html">Iran Executes Journalist and Child Activist Convicted of Terrorism</a> Iranian journalist, Yaghoob Mirnehad, convicted and sentenced to death on terrorism charges has been executed, the country's judiciary said Tuesday. Iran accused Mirnehad of being involved in the armed Jundallah group, which operates along the Iranian-Pakistani border. Authorities said he set up a group to "cooperate" with Jundallah. Mirnehad was a reporter for a Tehran-based daily newspaper, Mardomsalari and ran a charity that focused on childhood education. http://www.citizensugar.com/node/1845145#comment aside Iran Media Tue, 05 Aug 2008 09:50:23 -0700 CitizenSugar http://www.citizensugar.com/1845145 http://www.citizensugar.com/1843501 <p><span class="inline left"><a href="http://www.citizensugar.com/gallery/view/1843410?page=0,0,0" ><img src="http://images.teamsugar.com/files/upl1/19/193328/32_2008/81977572.preview_0.jpg" alt="" title="" class="image right preview" height="450"></a></span>If you love following individual athletes during the Olympics, two women from the Middle East can offer you a personal <i>and</i> historical perspective. </p> <p>Since the International Olympic Committee decided to make an exception and <a href="http://ap.google.com/article/ALeqM5hf8LB-S2t6j5--Bx-mnHR3UCENfQD928ABQ04" target="_blank">lift its ban on the Iraqi team</a>, improbable sprinter Dana Abdul-Razzaq can now compete in Beijing. Iraq's top female athlete, 21-year-old Dana began running after the US invasion of Iraq five years ago. Dana's pretty dedicated to her sport — <a href="http://onthescene.blogs.foxnews.com/2008/06/20/10-iraqis-you-should-know/#Dana" target="_blank">she survived being shot by a sniper</a> while training. Demonstrating the cultural and religious realities of her country, a modest Dana runs with leggings under her shorts. And as a Shi'ite, she trains with a Sunni coach. </p> <p>Over in Tehran, Homa Hosseini <a href="http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/middle_east/7537478.stm" target="_blank"> trained for only two years</a> to become Iran's first female Olympic rower. Two years ago, Iran gathered 300 young women and brought them to a course, left vacant since the Islamic Revolution, to test their abilities. Homa stood out, and now she will compete in Beijing. Homa rows in her headscarf, and unlike Western rowers, she wears loose-fitting clothes instead of a tight-fitting uniform. Good luck to both ladies! </p> <p><p><div style='float:left;line-height:8px;margin-bottom:10px;font-size:9px'> <div id=mask-69171 class=mask style=';width:100px;height:100px;overflow:hidden;background:#FFF;margin:0px 8px 8px 0px;border:0px solid #111;padding:0px;' onmouseover={style.borderColor='#0072bc'} onmouseout={style.borderColor='#111'}> <div style='margin-left:0px;margin-top:0px;padding:0px;'> <a target=gallery4 class='thumb2 active ' href=http://www.citizensugar.com/gallery/view/1843410?page=0,0,0><img src="http://images.teamsugar.com/files/upl1/19/193328/32_2008/81977572.mediumsquare.jpg" alt="Homa wears her culturally-appropriate uniform." title="Homa wears her culturally-appropriate uniform." class="image mediumsquare" width="100" height="100" /></a> </div> </div> </div><div style='float:left;line-height:8px;margin-bottom:10px;font-size:9px'> <div id=mask-91543 class=mask style=';width:100px;height:100px;overflow:hidden;background:#FFF;margin:0px 8px 8px 0px;border:0px solid #111;padding:0px;' onmouseover={style.borderColor='#0072bc'} onmouseout={style.borderColor='#111'}> <div style='margin-left:0px;margin-top:0px;padding:0px;'> <a target=gallery4 class='thumb2 ' href=http://www.citizensugar.com/gallery/view/1843410?page=0,1,0><img src="http://images.teamsugar.com/files/upl1/19/193328/32_2008/78075221.mediumsquare.jpg" alt="Iraqi sprinter Razzaq (L) stands with teammates as they speak to the press." title="Iraqi sprinter Razzaq (L) stands with teammates as they speak to the press." class="image mediumsquare" width="100" height="100" /></a> </div> </div> </div><div style='float:left;line-height:8px;margin-bottom:10px;font-size:9px'> <div id=mask-71197 class=mask style=';width:100px;height:100px;overflow:hidden;background:#FFF;margin:0px 8px 8px 0px;border:0px solid #111;padding:0px;' onmouseover={style.borderColor='#0072bc'} onmouseout={style.borderColor='#111'}> <div style='margin-left:0px;margin-top:0px;padding:0px;'> <a target=gallery4 class='thumb2 ' href=http://www.citizensugar.com/gallery/view/1843410?page=0,2,0><img src="http://images.teamsugar.com/files/upl1/19/193328/32_2008/78069096.mediumsquare.jpg" alt="Dana Abdul Razzaq of Iraq (L) poses on the podium after winning the silver medal for the 100m race during the Pan Arab Games. " title="Dana Abdul Razzaq of Iraq (L) poses on the podium after winning the silver medal for the 100m race during the Pan Arab Games. " class="image mediumsquare" width="100" height="100" /></a> </div> </div> </div><div style='float:left;line-height:8px;margin-bottom:10px;font-size:9px'> <div id=mask-14492 class=mask style=';width:100px;height:100px;overflow:hidden;background:#FFF;margin:0px 8px 8px 0px;border:0px solid #111;padding:0px;' onmouseover={style.borderColor='#0072bc'} onmouseout={style.borderColor='#111'}> <div style='margin-left:0px;margin-top:0px;padding:0px;'> <a target=gallery4 class='thumb2 ' href=http://www.citizensugar.com/gallery/view/1843410?page=0,3,0><img src="http://images.teamsugar.com/files/upl1/19/193328/32_2008/81962937.mediumsquare.jpg" alt="Iranian rower Homa Hosseini." title="Iranian rower Homa Hosseini." class="image mediumsquare" width="100" height="100" /></a> </div> </div> </div><div style='float:left;line-height:8px;margin-bottom:10px;font-size:9px'> <div id=mask-19179 class=mask style=';width:100px;height:100px;overflow:hidden;background:#FFF;margin:0px 8px 8px 0px;border:0px solid #111;padding:0px;' onmouseover={style.borderColor='#0072bc'} onmouseout={style.borderColor='#111'}> <div style='margin-left:0px;margin-top:0px;padding:0px;'> <a target=gallery4 class='thumb2 ' href=http://www.citizensugar.com/gallery/view/1843410?page=0,4,0><img src="http://images.teamsugar.com/files/upl1/19/193328/32_2008/81962962.mediumsquare.jpg" alt="Homa trains at Azadi Stadium&#039;s artificial lake in Tehran." title="Homa trains at Azadi Stadium&#039;s artificial lake in Tehran." class="image mediumsquare" width="100" height="100" /></a> </div> </div> </div></p><br clear=all></p> <p><a href="http://www.gettyimages.com" target="_blank">Source</a></p> http://www.citizensugar.com/1843501#comment 2008 Olympics Dana Abdul-Razzaq Homa Hosseini Iran Iraq Tue, 05 Aug 2008 03:00:44 -0700 LibertySugar http://www.citizensugar.com/1843501 http://www.citizensugar.com/1825670 <p><span class="inline left"><a href="http://www.citizensugar.com/gallery/view/1825658?page=0,0,0" ><img src="http://images.teamsugar.com/files/upl1/19/193328/31_2008/82097480.preview_0.jpg" alt="" title="" class="image right preview" height="400"></a></span>As host of the Nonaligned Movement (NAM) ministerial conference, Iranian President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad <a href="http://www.jpost.com/servlet/Satellite?cid=1215331135767&amp;pagename=JPost%2FJPArticle%2FShowFull" target="_blank">blasted the West for bullying third world countries</a> and making problems like AIDS worse. In a speech to the 118 nation members, Ahmadinejad said AIDS was the result of world conditions "imposed by big powers." </p> <p>The Iranian president, who <a href="http://latimesblogs.latimes.com/babylonbeyond/2008/07/iran-ahmadineja.html" target="_blank">wants NAM members to vote Iran onto the UN Security Council</a> as a nonpermanent member, said the Security Council was a tool of world powers. But he assured the group that the bully nations are on the decline and called on developing nations to play a greater role in addressing world conflicts. Ahmadinejad said:<br /> <blockquote>The big powers are going down. They have come to the end of their power, and the world is on the verge of entering a new, promising era.</p></blockquote> <p><p><div style='float:left;line-height:8px;margin-bottom:10px;font-size:9px'> <div id=mask-53078 class=mask style=';width:100px;height:100px;overflow:hidden;background:#FFF;margin:0px 8px 8px 0px;border:0px solid #111;padding:0px;' onmouseover={style.borderColor='#0072bc'} onmouseout={style.borderColor='#111'}> <div style='margin-left:0px;margin-top:0px;padding:0px;'> <a target=gallery4 class='thumb2 active ' href=http://www.citizensugar.com/gallery/view/1825658?page=0,0,0><img src="http://images.teamsugar.com/files/upl1/19/193328/31_2008/82097480.mediumsquare.jpg" alt="Representatives from 118 NAM member states including 60 foreign ministers are taking part in the event." title="Representatives from 118 NAM member states including 60 foreign ministers are taking part in the event." class="image mediumsquare" width="100" height="100" /></a> </div> </div> </div><div style='float:left;line-height:8px;margin-bottom:10px;font-size:9px'> <div id=mask-74617 class=mask style=';width:100px;height:100px;overflow:hidden;background:#FFF;margin:0px 8px 8px 0px;border:0px solid #111;padding:0px;' onmouseover={style.borderColor='#0072bc'} onmouseout={style.borderColor='#111'}> <div style='margin-left:0px;margin-top:0px;padding:0px;'> <a target=gallery4 class='thumb2 ' href=http://www.citizensugar.com/gallery/view/1825658?page=0,1,0><img src="http://images.teamsugar.com/files/upl1/19/193328/31_2008/82097397.mediumsquare.jpg" alt="Iranian President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad delivers his speech." title="Iranian President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad delivers his speech." class="image mediumsquare" width="100" height="100" /></a> </div> </div> </div><div style='float:left;line-height:8px;margin-bottom:10px;font-size:9px'> <div id=mask-60470 class=mask style=';width:100px;height:100px;overflow:hidden;background:#FFF;margin:0px 8px 8px 0px;border:0px solid #111;padding:0px;' onmouseover={style.borderColor='#0072bc'} onmouseout={style.borderColor='#111'}> <div style='margin-left:0px;margin-top:0px;padding:0px;'> <a target=gallery4 class='thumb2 ' href=http://www.citizensugar.com/gallery/view/1825658?page=0,2,0><img src="http://images.teamsugar.com/files/upl1/19/193328/31_2008/82097577.mediumsquare.jpg" alt="Arab League Secretary General Amr Mussa and Iranian prominent MP, Alaeddin Boroujerdi listen to the speech." title="Arab League Secretary General Amr Mussa and Iranian prominent MP, Alaeddin Boroujerdi listen to the speech." class="image mediumsquare" width="100" height="100" /></a> </div> </div> </div><div style='float:left;line-height:8px;margin-bottom:10px;font-size:9px'> <div id=mask-30015 class=mask style=';width:100px;height:100px;overflow:hidden;background:#FFF;margin:0px 8px 8px 0px;border:0px solid #111;padding:0px;' onmouseover={style.borderColor='#0072bc'} onmouseout={style.borderColor='#111'}> <div style='margin-left:0px;margin-top:0px;padding:0px;'> <a target=gallery4 class='thumb2 ' href=http://www.citizensugar.com/gallery/view/1825658?page=0,3,0><img src="http://images.teamsugar.com/files/upl1/19/193328/31_2008/82098427.mediumsquare.jpg" alt="Iranian President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad meets with Arab League Secretary General Amr Mussa (L). " title="Iranian President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad meets with Arab League Secretary General Amr Mussa (L). " class="image mediumsquare" width="100" height="100" /></a> </div> </div> </div><div style='float:left;line-height:8px;margin-bottom:10px;font-size:9px'> <div id=mask-58556 class=mask style=';width:100px;height:100px;overflow:hidden;background:#FFF;margin:0px 8px 8px 0px;border:0px solid #111;padding:0px;' onmouseover={style.borderColor='#0072bc'} onmouseout={style.borderColor='#111'}> <div style='margin-left:0px;margin-top:0px;padding:0px;'> <a target=gallery4 class='thumb2 ' href=http://www.citizensugar.com/gallery/view/1825658?page=0,4,0><img src="http://images.teamsugar.com/files/upl1/19/193328/31_2008/82099875.mediumsquare.jpg" alt="Iranian President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad shakes hands with Venezuela&#039;s Foreign Minister Nicolas Maduro." title="Iranian President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad shakes hands with Venezuela&#039;s Foreign Minister Nicolas Maduro." class="image mediumsquare" width="100" height="100" /></a> </div> </div> </div></p><br clear=all></p> <p>To find out more about NAM, and to see how AIDS targets one population more than others in the US, </p> <p><a href="http://www.citizensugar.com/1825670">read more</a></p> http://www.citizensugar.com/1825670#comment AIDS Headline Iran Wed, 30 Jul 2008 11:00:00 -0700 LibertySugar http://www.citizensugar.com/1825670 http://www.citizensugar.com/node/1816582 <a href="http://www.townhall.com/news/world/2008/07/27/iran_hangs_29_people">Iran Hangs 29 People</a> Iran hanged 29 people at dawn on Sunday after they had been convicted of murder, drug trafficking and other crimes, state run television reported. The hangings brought to about 150 the number of people executed in Iran so far this year. International human rights groups have accused Iran of making excessive use of the death penalty, but Iranian officials say capital punishment is an effective deterrent carried out only after all judicial proceedings are exhausted. http://www.citizensugar.com/node/1816582#comment aside Death Penalty Iran Sun, 27 Jul 2008 09:50:04 -0700 CitizenSugar http://www.citizensugar.com/1816582 http://www.citizensugar.com/node/1815451 <a href="http://www.townhall.com/news/world/2008/07/26/report_iran_now_has_6,000_centrifuges_for_uranium">Report: Iran Now Has 6,000 Centrifuges for Uranium</a> President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad said Saturday that Iran now possesses 6,000 centrifuges, a significant increase in the number of uranium-enriching machines in its nuclear program. The new figure is double the 3,000 centrifuges Iran had previously said it was operating. Ahmadinejad made the announcement a week after the US reversed course by sending a top American diplomat to participate in negotiations with Iran, prompting hopes for a compromise. http://www.citizensugar.com/node/1815451#comment aside Iran Nuclear Energy Nuclear Weapons Sat, 26 Jul 2008 09:45:39 -0700 CitizenSugar http://www.citizensugar.com/1815451 http://www.citizensugar.com/1806624 <p><span class="inline left"><img src="http://images.teamsugar.com/files/upl1/10/104169/30_2008/82038505.preview.jpg" alt="" title="" class="image right preview" width="300"></span> <ul> <li><b>Hurricane Dolly Hits Texas:</b><br /> Hurricane Dolly arrived on the Gulf Coast early Wednesday with <a href="http://www.nytimes.com/aponline/us/AP-Tropical-Weather.html?_r=1&amp;hp&amp;oref=slogin" target="_blank">heavy rain and winds ramping up</a> before the center of the storm hits towns on the Texas-Mexico border later today. The hurricane will bring up to 15 inches of rain, threatening local levees that gave way 41 years ago in Hurricane Beulah. The National Hurricane Center said Dolly could approach Category 2 strength when it makes landfall today.</li> <p><span class="inline left"><img src="http://images.teamsugar.com/files/upl1/10/104169/30_2008/Wednesday.jpg" alt="" title="" class="image left preview" width="200"></span> <li><b>China to Allow Protests:</b><br /> China has announced that <a href="http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/asia-pacific/7521321.stm" target="_blank">protests will be allowed</a> in three specific city parks during the upcoming Olympics. To protest, one has to apply for permission from the city government and police, and stay within the parks. The director of the Beijing committee said the parks are "close to the city proper and the Olympic venues," but didn't know how the application process would work "at this time."</li> <li><b>Iran Says No Concessions:</b><br /> The president of Iran says the country <a href="http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/middle_east/7520854.stm" target="_blank">will not back down</a> in its nuclear activities. The US, UN, and EU have instructed Iran to give an answer on the issue within two weeks or face sanctions. President Ahmadinejad responded in a televised speech, "the Iranian people are steadfast [they] will not retreat one iota in the face of oppressing powers."</li> </ul> <p><a href="http://www.gettyimages.com" target="_blank">Source</a></p> http://www.citizensugar.com/1806624#comment 2008 Olympics 2008 Presidential Election China Front Page Hurricane Hurricane Dolly Iran Nuclear Energy Nuclear Weapons Olympics Protests Texas Wed, 23 Jul 2008 06:56:59 -0700 CitizenSugar http://www.citizensugar.com/1806624 http://www.citizensugar.com/1796644 <!-- no strip poll --><!-- no rss --><div id="epoll-view-1796644"></div><script type="text/javascript">new Ajax.Request('/epoll/view/1796644',{method:'get',onSuccess:function(transport){var epoll=$('epoll-view-1796644');epoll.update(transport.responseText);}});</script><noscript><!-- /no rss --><p><p>Iran's foreign minister has <a href="http://abcnews.go.com/International/story?id=5401892&amp;page=1" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">praised the US's decision to send a diplomat</a> to today's multilateral <a href="http://www.citizensugar.com/1791470" rel="nofollow">talks on Iran's nuclear program</a>. Meanwhile, the <i>Bush</i> Administration is apparently <a href="http://www.nytimes.com/2008/07/18/world/middleeast/18iran.html?ref=middleeast" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">considering a diplomatic presence</a> in Iran, the first since the 1979 hostage crisis in which the American Embassy in Tehran was occupied for over a year. <span class="inline left"><img src="http://images.teamsugar.com/files/upl1/19/193328/29_2008/81719571.preview.jpg" alt="" title="" class="image preview" width="550" height="374"></span> According to an anonymous White House official, the "interests section" would not be a full embassy. Instead diplomats would issue visas to Iranians wanting to visit America. President Bush has not yet approved the plan. Nonetheless, connecting ordinary Iranians and Americans could do much to reduce tensions between the two countries. Do you agree?</p> <p><a href="http://www.gettyimages.com" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">Source</a></p> </p><!-- no strip poll --><form action="/1796644" method="post" id="epoll_view_voting"> <div><div class="poll"> <div class="vote-form"> <div class="choices"><div class="form-item"> <label>Should America Have a Diplomatic Presence in Iran? </label> <div class="form-item"> <label class="option"><input type="radio" name="edit[choice]" value="0" class="form-radio" /> Yay! If the countries get to know each other's cultures, conflict can be avoided.</label> </div> <div class="form-item"> <label class="option"><input type="radio" name="edit[choice]" value="1" class="form-radio" /> Nay. Diplomatic relations should only be awarded if Iran concedes its nuclear program.</label> </div> <div class="form-item"> <label class="option"><input type="radio" name="edit[choice]" value="2" class="form-radio" /> Other. I'll tell you in the comments.</label> </div> </div> </div><input type="hidden" name="edit[nid]" id="edit-nid" value="1796644" /> <input type="submit" name="op" value="Vote" class="form-submit" /> </div><input type="hidden" name="edit[form_id]" id="edit-form_id" value="epoll_view_voting" /> </div> </div></form> <!-- no strip poll --></noscript><!-- no strip poll --> http://www.citizensugar.com/1796644#comment Citizen Poll Diplomacy Iran Sat, 19 Jul 2008 07:00:47 -0700 LibertySugar http://www.citizensugar.com/1796644 http://www.citizensugar.com/1791470 <p><span class="inline left"><img src="http://images.teamsugar.com/files/upl1/19/193328/29_2008/80566004.preview.jpg" alt="" title="" class="image right preview" height="380"></span>A senior <a href="http://uk.reuters.com/article/usPoliticsNews/idUKN1636104120080716?pageNumber=1&amp;virtualBrandChannel=0" target="_blank"> US official will sit down with Iranian officials</a> and other world powers in Geneva this Saturday to discuss Iran's nuclear program, a move intended to show that the Bush Administration wants to find a diplomatic solution to the standoff. </p> <p>The decision breaks from continued statements from Bush that the US would not join nuclear talks unless Iran stopped enriching uranium. In fact, yesterday Iran <a href="http://uk.reuters.com/article/usPoliticsNews/idUKDAH62188220080716" target="_blank">signaled that it will not halt</a> its atomic activities. Considering that one senior White House official says the Under Secretary of State William Burns "is there to listen, not to negotiate," I doubt Saturday will produce any concrete agreement.</p> <p>The Bush administration must realize that the US cannot afford to be left out of the talks. To see why, </p> <p><a href="http://www.citizensugar.com/1791470">read more</a></p> http://www.citizensugar.com/1791470#comment Diplomacy George W Bush Iran United States Thu, 17 Jul 2008 06:00:05 -0700 LibertySugar http://www.citizensugar.com/1791470 http://www.citizensugar.com/1773203 <!-- no strip poll --><!-- no rss --><div id="epoll-view-1773203"></div><script type="text/javascript">new Ajax.Request('/epoll/view/1773203',{method:'get',onSuccess:function(transport){var epoll=$('epoll-view-1773203');epoll.update(transport.responseText);}});</script><noscript><!-- /no rss --><p><p><span class="inline left"><img src="http://images.teamsugar.com/files/upl1/19/193328/28_2008/77031655.preview.jpg" alt="" title="" class="image left preview" height="360"></span>The drumbeat to war with Iran continues to fade and then get loud. Yesterday <a href="http://www.citizensugar.com/1771473" rel="nofollow">Iran launched another set of test missiles</a>, demonstrating its capacity to reach Israel. Less than a month ago <a href="http://www.citizensugar.com/1724801" rel="nofollow">Israel performed a rehearsal</a> for an attack on Iran. </p> <p>Forty-three percent of Americans <a href="http://www.rasmussenreports.com/public_content/politics/current_events/general_current_events/46_support_military_response_if_iran_attacks_israel" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">think that the US will go to war with Iran within a year</a>. Perhaps more relevant, considering the recent weapon dance, 46 percent of Americans support a US military response if Iran attacks Israel.</p> <p>Despite the country's mood, Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice warned <a href="http://www.citizensugar.com/1771473" rel="nofollow">Iran that the US would defend its allies</a>. Plus public opinion regarding Israel might change in the situation of an attack. Meanwhile, OPEC warned that conflict in Iran <a href="http://www.iht.com/articles/2008/07/10/business/opec.php" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">would lead to "unlimited" increases</a> in oil prices. </p> <p><a href="http://www.gettyimages.com" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">Source</a></p> </p><!-- no strip poll --><form action="/1773203" method="post" id="epoll_view_voting"> <div><div class="poll"> <div class="vote-form"> <div class="choices"><div class="form-item"> <label>Will the US Military Confront Iran Before Bush Leaves Office?</label> <div class="form-item"> <label class="option"><input type="radio" name="edit[choice]" value="0" class="form-radio" /> Yes. All this posturing will back us into a corner, and a war.</label> </div> <div class="form-item"> <label class="option"><input type="radio" name="edit[choice]" value="1" class="form-radio" /> No. The US does not have the resources or will to engage in a third Middle East conflict. </label> </div> <div class="form-item"> <label class="option"><input type="radio" name="edit[choice]" value="2" class="form-radio" /> Maybe. Depends on whether Iran fires first.</label> </div> <div class="form-item"> <label class="option"><input type="radio" name="edit[choice]" value="3" class="form-radio" /> Other. I'll tell you in the comments.</label> </div> </div> </div><input type="hidden" name="edit[nid]" id="edit-nid" value="1773203" /> <input type="submit" name="op" value="Vote" class="form-submit" /> </div><input type="hidden" name="edit[form_id]" id="edit-form_id" value="epoll_view_voting" /> </div> </div></form> <!-- no strip poll --></noscript><!-- no strip poll --> http://www.citizensugar.com/1773203#comment Citizen Poll Condoleezza Rice George W Bush Iran Israel Fri, 11 Jul 2008 06:00:37 -0700 LibertySugar http://www.citizensugar.com/1773203 http://www.citizensugar.com/node/1771804 <a href="http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2008/07/10/iran-missiles-photos-digi_n_111854.html">Iran Missile Photos Digitally Altered</a> As news spread across the world of Iran's provocative missile tests, so did an image of four missiles heading skyward in unison. Unfortunately, it appeared to contain one too many missiles, a fact that had not emerged before the photo appeared on the front pages of <b>The Los Angeles Times</b> and <b>The Financial Times</b> as well as on BBC News, MSNBC, Yahoo! News, NYTimes.com and many other major news websites. http://www.citizensugar.com/node/1771804#comment aside Iran Media Thu, 10 Jul 2008 09:55:32 -0700 CitizenSugar http://www.citizensugar.com/1771804 http://www.citizensugar.com/1771473 <ul> <li><b>Rice Warns Iran:</b><br /> The tension between Iran and the US elevated today as Iran tested missiles for the second day in a row. The action prompted Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice to assert that <a href="http://www.nytimes.com/2008/07/11/world/middleeast/11iran.html?_r=1&amp;hp&amp;oref=slogin" target="_blank">the US will defend its allies</a> and interests against an attack. At a press conference Rice said, “we will defend our interests and defend our allies. We take very, very strongly our obligations to defend our allies and no one should be confused of that." An Iranian Revolutionary Guard commander <a href="http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/middle_east/7499198.stm" target="_blank">was quoted</a> as saying, "our hands are always on the trigger and our missiles are ready for launch." Meanwhile, the subject of Iran's nuclear program has led President Bush to <a href="http://ap.google.com/article/ALeqM5iVp6OcsznLJpeFv8SenE_EhxIpmgD91QSQ300" target="_blank">count heavily on diplomacy</a> hoping to assuage the mounting situation in Iran that newscasters <a href="http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/middle_east/7498712.stm" target="_blank">can't stop describing</a> as "sabre-rattling."</li> <p><span class="inline left"><img src="http://images.teamsugar.com/files/upl1/10/104169/28_2008/81886956.preview.jpg" alt="" title="" class="image center preview" width="500"></span><br /> <span class="inline left"><img src="http://images.teamsugar.com/files/upl1/10/104169/28_2008/Thursday.jpg" alt="" title="" class="image left preview" width="200"></span> <li><b>China Foils Olympic Terrorists:</b><br /> China has foiled plans by <a href="http://www.nytimes.com/reuters/world/international-olympics-security.html" target="_blank">five "terrorism" groups aiming to target</a> the Beijing Olympics, as reported by the state media. So far this year, police have detained 82 people in the country's unsettled Xinjiang region who had allegedly been planning to sabotage the Beijing Olympics.</li> <p><br clear=all></p> <li><b>Six Die at US Consulate in Turkey:</b><br /> Shots were fired outside of the US Consulate in Istanbul, Turkey, yesterday, killing at least three police officers, with three assailants killed in a brief gun battle that followed. Officials report a fourth assailant escaped. The attack was the first on a diplomatic outpost in the city since 2003, when attacks on the British Consulate killed 62 people. Turkish and American officials consider <a href="http://www.nytimes.com/2008/07/10/world/europe/10turkey.html?ref=europe" target="_blank">yesterday's attack</a> one of terrorism.</li> </ul> <p><a href="http://www.gettyimages.com" target="_blank">Source</a></p> http://www.citizensugar.com/1771473#comment 2008 Olympics China Condoleezza Rice Front Page Iran Missiles Nuclear Weapons Olympics Shootings Terrorism Turkey Thu, 10 Jul 2008 07:03:01 -0700 CitizenSugar http://www.citizensugar.com/1771473 http://www.citizensugar.com/1768560 <ul> <li><b>Iran Fires Missiles:</b><br /> Iran has <a href="http://www.nytimes.com/2008/07/10/world/asia/10iran.html?_r=1&amp;hp&amp;oref=slogin" target="_blank">test-fired nine missiles today</a>, including one capable of reaching Israel. The tests coincide with escalating negotiations over Iran's nuclear program as well as US and UK warships conducting naval maneuvers in the Persian Gulf. The tests make this quote from yesterday stand out. A senior Iranian official said yesterday that Iran would respond to any military attack by striking Israel and America’s vital interests around the globe. He <a href="http://www.nytimes.com/2008/07/09/world/middleeast/09iran.html?ref=middleeast" target="_blank">said</a>, “In case that they commit such foolishness, Tel Aviv and the US fleet in the Persian Gulf would be the first targets to burst into flames receiving Iran’s crushing response.” </li> <p><span class="inline left"><img src="http://images.teamsugar.com/files/upl1/10/104169/28_2008/80724416.preview.jpg" alt="" title="" class="image preview" height="379" width="550"></span><br /> <span class="inline left"><img src="http://images.teamsugar.com/files/upl1/10/104169/28_2008/Wednesday.jpg" alt="" title="" class="image right preview" width="200"></span> <li><b>Polygamy Leader Hospitalized:</b><br /> Polygamist sect leader Warren Jeffs has been taken from jail <a href="http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/25598666/" target="_blank">to a Las Vegas hospital</a> for an unknown medical problem. President of the now well-know <a href="http://www.citizensugar.com/tags/polygamy" >FLDS sect</a>, Jeffs was sent to prison after a conviction by a Utah jury last year on two counts of first-degree felony rape as an accomplice. His health has been in jeopardy while in prison because of a self-imposed fast as well as attempted suicide combined with throwing himself against the walls and banging his head.</li> <li><b>Darfur Peacekeepers Attacked:</b><br /> Six members of the joint peace mission between the United Nations and African Union in Sudan's Darfur region <a href="http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/africa/7497708.stm" target="_blank">have been killed</a> in an attack. A convoy of 40 armoured vehicles ambushed the peace force while on patrol in North Darfur. Reports say that about 17 peacekeepers are still missing. The UN-AU mission struggles against the violence with only 9,000 of the planned 26,000 troops. It's unclear at this point who was behind this attack. Since the conflict began in <a href="http://www.citizensugar.com/tags/darfur" >Darfur</a> five years ago, the UN estimates that 300,000 people have died and another two million have fled their homes.</li> </ul> <p><a href="http://www.gettyimages.com" target="_blank">Source</a></p> http://www.citizensugar.com/1768560#comment Darfur FLDS Front Page Iran Israel Missiles Nuclear Weapons Polygamy Sudan Warren Jeffs Wed, 09 Jul 2008 06:59:24 -0700 CitizenSugar http://www.citizensugar.com/1768560 http://www.citizensugar.com/node/1766248 <a href="http://www.townhall.com/news/us/2008/07/08/us_ships_cigarettes,_bras,_more_to_iran">US Ships Cigarettes, Bras, More to Iran</a> US exports to Iran — including brassieres, bull semen, cosmetics, and possibly even weapons —grew more than tenfold during President Bush's years in office even as he accused Iran of nuclear ambitions and helping terrorists. America sent more cigarettes to Iran , at least $158 million worth under Bush, than any other product. Despite increasingly tough rhetoric toward Iran, which Bush has called part of an "axis of evil," US trade in a range of goods survives on-again, off-again sanctions. http://www.citizensugar.com/node/1766248#comment aside Economy Iran Trade Tue, 08 Jul 2008 09:55:02 -0700 CitizenSugar http://www.citizensugar.com/1766248 http://www.citizensugar.com/1764871 <p>The beauty of the Internet is getting to say exactly what you want in a public forum, right?(Well that and stalking ex-boyfriends and shopping at work, but I digress.) The ability to speak one's mind in bytes and blips has <a href="http://www.reuters.com/article/internetNews/idUSL0757687320080707?feedType=RSS&amp;feedName=internetNews&amp;rpc=22&amp;sp=true" target="_blank">landed one blogger with a jail sentence</a> for extremism. A Russian man who called the local police “scum” and calling for the clean-up of the force he blogged that the police should be burned in the town square twice a day. For this posting, was convicted of “inciting hatred or enmity” and given a one-year suspended sentence.<br /> <span class="inline left"><img src="http://images.teamsugar.com/files/upl1/10/104169/28_2008/80632262.preview.jpg" alt="" title="" class="image preview" height="366" width="550"></span></p> <p>Free speech activists said the ruling is creating a dangerous precedent: “This was an absolutely unjustified verdict ... This verdict means it will be impossible to make rude comments about anybody.” News of the sentence permeated Russian blogs yesterday leading some to say, "I don't know now if I should be writing here or not." For his part, new Russian President Dmitry Medvedev has said he prizes free speech and that Russia should use a light touch when policing the Internet. That's not the case in Iran. To see what's happening there, </p> <p><a href="http://www.citizensugar.com/1764871">read more</a></p> http://www.citizensugar.com/1764871#comment Bloggers Blogs Death Penalty Free Speech Headline Iran Prisons Russia Technology Tue, 08 Jul 2008 09:00:42 -0700 CitizenSugar http://www.citizensugar.com/1764871 http://www.citizensugar.com/node/1748040 <a href="http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2008/06/29/seymour-hersh-exposes-new_n_109818.html">Seymour Hersh Exposes New US Covert Operations In Iran</a> The <b>New Yorker's</b> Seymour Hersh reports on how the Bush Administration has stepped up covert operations against Iran: "Late last year, Congress agreed to a request from President Bush to fund a major escalation of covert operations against Iran, according to current and former military, intelligence, and congressional sources. These operations, for which the President sought up to four hundred million dollars, were described in a Presidential Finding signed by Bush, and are designed to destabilize the country's religious leadership." http://www.citizensugar.com/node/1748040#comment aside Iran On the Newsstand The New Yorker Mon, 30 Jun 2008 08:55:36 -0700 CitizenSugar http://www.citizensugar.com/1748040 http://www.citizensugar.com/1743165 <p><span class="inline left"><img src="http://images.teamsugar.com/files/upl1/19/193328/26_2008/3324661.preview.jpg" alt="" title="" class="image right preview" height="300"></span>While the UN isn't <a href="http://www.citizensugar.com/1700610" >sanctioning Iran</a>, it's praising the country for its successful efforts to treat drug addiction. The UN Office on Drugs and Crimes says Iran has been more supportive of drug treatment than any other government in the Islamic world. </p> <p>One to 10 million Iranians (depending who you ask) battle addiction. Abandoning strict punishment a while back, the theocratic government takes the drug problem head on, generously financing numerous treatment centers, providing those not ready to quit with services like free needles, and encouraging citizens to think of addiction as a disease, <a href="http://www.nytimes.com/2008/06/27/world/middleeast/27addiction.html?_r=1&amp;ref=world&amp;oref=slogin" target="_blank">according to the New York Times</a>.</p> <p>Even though they don't treat addicts like criminals, Iranians aren't ready to stop all the blaming. To see why Iran thinks America is slowing down their treatment efforts, </p> <p><a href="http://www.citizensugar.com/1743165">read more</a></p> http://www.citizensugar.com/1743165#comment Drugs Iran United Nations Fri, 27 Jun 2008 11:00:00 -0700 LibertySugar http://www.citizensugar.com/1743165 http://www.citizensugar.com/1724801 <ul> <li><b>Pregnancy Pact Investigated:</b> Officials in Massachusetts are investigating why 17 teenage girls from the same high school <a href="http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/americas/7464925.stm" target="_blank">have become pregnant</a>, a number four times higher than the year before. Reports claim the girls, all under the age of 16, entered into a pact to have their babies together. No comment has been forthcoming from the girls or their families. Officials are investigating the ages of the fathers, as some are believed to be in their twenties — facing the possibility of being charged with having sex with minors. Birth rates for girls aged 15 to 17 rose by 3 percent in 2006, the first increase in the rate since 1991.</li> <p><span class="inline left"><img src="http://images.teamsugar.com/files/upl1/10/104169/25_2008/Friday.jpg" alt="" title="" class="image center preview" height="260" width="350"></span></p> <li><b>Israel Shows Iran Attack:</b> Israel has performed what appears to be <a href="http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/middle_east/7465170.stm" target="_blank">a rehearsal for an attack</a> on Iran's nuclear facilities. More than 100 Israeli fighter jets conducted manuvers over the Mediterranean and Greece this month. Though Iran insists its nuclear program is for peaceful purposes, Israel sees Iran's development of the technology a threatening problem. The UN has demanded that Iran stop the enrichment of uranium, and approved a third round of sanctions against Iran over the issue in March 2008. A Pentagon official says of Israel's show of force, "they wanted us to know, they wanted the Europeans to know, and they wanted the Iranians to know."</li> <li><b>22,000 Protest in Thailand:</b> Several thousand protesters <a href="http://www.nytimes.com/aponline/world/AP-Thailand-Political-Tensions.html?ref=world" target="_blank">broke through a tight police seal</a> around Thailand's seat of government today, planning to occupy the compound until the prime minister resigns. The protesters claim that Prime Minister Samak Sundaravej's government is just a proxy for former Prime Minister Thaksin Shinawatra, who was ousted in a 2006 military coup. Though he's facing criminal charges for corruption, Thaksin remains a powerful figure in Thailand. Despite the huge protest, there were no immediate plans to declare a state of national emergency or martial law. Police estimated that about 22,000 people were present for the protest.</li> </ul> http://www.citizensugar.com/1724801#comment children Front Page Iran Israel Massachusetts Nuclear Energy Pregnancy Pact Protests Thailand Fri, 20 Jun 2008 07:00:04 -0700 CitizenSugar http://www.citizensugar.com/1724801 http://www.citizensugar.com/1713394 <ul> <li><b>US and UK Join Forces:</b> Prime Minister Gordon Brown has announced Britain will <a href="http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/uk_news/politics/7456551.stm" target="_blank">send extra troops</a> to Afghanistan, bringing numbers to their highest level yet — the UK surge will bring overall UK numbers in Afghanistan to more than 8,000. Brown spoke at a news conference with President George Bush, said the military presence would be increased to keep up pressure on the Taliban. The two leaders also joined forces to put pressure on Iran. They <a href="http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/uk_news/politics/7456081.stm" target="_blank">have warned Iran</a> to accept their "offers of partnership" or receive harsh sanctions and international isolation. President Bush thanked Brown for his "strong statement" saying, "the Iranians must understand that when we come together and speak with one voice we are serious. . . Iranians must understand, however, that all options are on the table."</li> <p><span class="inline left"><img src="http://images.teamsugar.com/files/upl1/10/104169/25_2008/Monday.jpg" alt="" title="" class="image center preview" height="260" width="350"></span></p> <li><b>Updates to the ADA:</b> The Bush administration is about to big changes that would give people with disabilities greater access to courtrooms, swimming pools, stadiums, and stores. The proposal would update and rewrite federal standards for enforcement of the Americans With Disabilities Act, a <a href="http://www.nytimes.com/2008/06/16/washington/16disabled.html?ref=us" target="_blank">landmark civil rights law</a> passed with large bipartisan support in 1990. The new rules would have more strict requirements and are being put forth in an effort to meet the needs of an aging population and growing numbers of disabled war veterans. More than seven million businesses and all state and local government agencies would need to make changes.</li> <li><b>Saudi Arabia to Up Oil Production:</b> Though President Bush was <a href="http://www.citizensugar.com/node/1635616" >unable to persuade</a> them to do so, Saudi Arabia now plans <a href="http://money.cnn.com/2008/06/15/markets/saudi_boost.ap/index.htm?cnn=yes" target="_blank">to increase its oil production</a> by 200,000 barrels a day next month, the kingdom's oil minister told UN chief Ban Ki-moon yesterday. Ban said, "the king believes that the current oil prices are abnormally high, and he is ready to restore prices to their appropriate levels." Saudi Arabia is thought to increase oil production by 200,000 barrels a day from June to July. By July, production should be at 9.7 million barrels a day.</li> </ul> http://www.citizensugar.com/1713394#comment ADA Afghanistan Disabilities Front Page Gas Iran Saudi Arabia United Kingdom United States Mon, 16 Jun 2008 07:00:51 -0700 CitizenSugar http://www.citizensugar.com/1713394 http://www.citizensugar.com/1700610 <ul> <li><b>Iran Declares Victory:</b> Meeting with leaders during his European farewell tour, President Bush won support yesterday to consider <a href="http://www.nytimes.com/2008/06/11/world/europe/11prexy.html?ref=middleeast" target="_blank">additional punitive sanctions</a> against Iran if they reject an offer of incentives to suspend its uranium enrichment program. The European-backed punishment includes restrictions on its banks. Britain, France and Germany are at the forefront of European diplomacy on Iran, and Bush is seeking their support of stronger UN sanctions. Meanwhile in Iran, President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad voiced defiance against pressure to suspend the program, <a href="http://www.nytimes.com/reuters/world/international-iran-nuclear-ahmadinejad.html?ref=world" target="_blank">declaring victory</a> in a televised speech saying, "with God's help today (the Iranian nation) have gained victory and the enemies cannot do a damned thing."</li> <p><span class="inline left"><img src="http://images.teamsugar.com/files/upl1/10/104169/24_2008/Wednesday.jpg" alt="" title="" class="image center preview" height="260" width="350"></span></p> <li><b>US Strike Angers Pakistan:</b> Following a US-led operation in Pakistan against the Taliban that ended up killing 11 Pakistani troops along with 8 Taliban militants, Pakistan's military has <a href="http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/south_asia/7447608.stm" target="_blank">condemned the air strike</a> as a "cowardly attack". Details of the incident on the border with Afghanistan are still unclear but it comes amid rising tensions between the US and Pakistan militaries. The soldiers' deaths occurred overnight at a border post in one of Pakistan's tribal areas. A Pakistani spokesman said the attack "hit at the very basis of cooperation and sacrifice with which Pakistani soldiers are supporting the coalition in war against terror"</li> <li><b>Canada Apologizes:</b> Canadian Prime Minister <a href="http://www.citizensugar.com/1110632" >Stephen Harper</a> is delivering <a href="http://www.nytimes.com/aponline/world/AP-Canada-Indian-Apology.html?ref=world" target="_blank">a public apology</a> in Parliament today to more than 80,000 students of Canadian Natives who were taken from their parents and sent to state schools. Similar to <a href="http://www.citizensugar.com/1035107" >the apology</a> made to Australia's aboriginal population, Aboriginal Canadians will get their apology, one that Harper says, they "have been waiting a very long time to hear." The Canadian act of contrition comes with compensation as well, part of a lawsuit settlement.</li> </ul> http://www.citizensugar.com/1700610#comment Aboriginal Apology Canada Front Page Iran Nuclear Energy Nuclear Weapons Pakistan Taliban The European Union Wed, 11 Jun 2008 07:00:58 -0700 CitizenSugar http://www.citizensugar.com/1700610 http://www.citizensugar.com/1694739 <p>Iraqi Prime Minister Nuri al-Maliki spoke at his country's embassy in Iran yesterday, assuring Iran that Iraq <a href="http://www.reuters.com/article/worldNews/idUSHAF84670220080608?pageNumber=2&amp;virtualBrandChannel=0" target="_blank"> has no plans to threaten the security</a> of its neighbors. </p> <p>Al-Maliki's visit to Iran is set to assuage Iranian fears that Iraq plans to enter into a long-term military arrangement with the US, which would result in permanent bases close to Iran's border. Al-Maliki reassured Iran that Iraq would never be used as a base for a US attack on Iran.</p> <p><span class="inline left"><img src="http://images.teamsugar.com/files/upl1/19/193328/23_2008/81491212.preview.jpg" alt="" title="" class="image preview" height="384" width="550"></span></p> <p>Iraq and the US accuse Iran of training and funding insurgents, and sabotaging Iraq's reconstruction efforts. Al-Maliki has set up an internal investigation to determine the extent of Iranian influence, and he may discuss the issue with Iranian officials.</p> <p>As a result of the latest meeting, Iran has agreed to improve political, economic, and trade with Iraq, as well as help the electricity and services sectors in Iraq, according to Al-Maliki. Are you hopeful that a stable relationship between Iran and Iraq will spread overall stability in the region? </p> <p><a href="http://www.gettyimages.com" target="_blank">Source</a></p> http://www.citizensugar.com/1694739#comment Headline Iran Iraq Iraq War Middle East Nuri al-Maliki Mon, 09 Jun 2008 00:00:49 -0700 LibertySugar http://www.citizensugar.com/1694739 http://www.citizensugar.com/1689491 <p><span class="inline left"><img src="http://images.teamsugar.com/files/upl1/19/193328/23_2008/81460576.preview.jpg" alt="" title="" class="image right preview" height="240"></span>Two US Air Force leaders must <a href="http://www.nytimes.com/2008/06/06/washington/05cnd-military.html?hp" target="_blank"> resign</a> due to their involvement in the accidental sending of four nuclear warhead fuses to Taiwan, in place of helicopter batteries. </p> <p>The ousting of <a href="http://www.nytimes.com/2008/06/06/washington/05cnd-military.html?hp" target="_blank">Air Force secretary</a> Michael W. Wynne, as well as the force's <a href="http://www.defenselink.mil/bios/biographydetail.aspx?biographyid=78" target="_blank">chief of staff</a>, Gen. T. Michael Moseley, come after a still classified report leveled serious allegations against the two.</p> <p>America, which has criticized Russia for its management of nuclear weapons and material, seems to be having trouble of its own. Irresponsible handling of dangerous weapons impedes the US's ability to make the case that countries like Iran and North Korea should be halted from developing nuclear power. When the US cannot keep track of its nuclear program, it appears dangerous as well. </p> <p>Meanwhile, Iran has <a href="http://news.yahoo.com/s/ap/20080605/ap_on_re_eu/nuclear_iran" target="_blank">threatened to sue</a> Western states. To see why, </p> <p><a href="http://www.citizensugar.com/1689491">read more</a></p> http://www.citizensugar.com/1689491#comment Air Force Iran Michael Moseley Michael W. Wynne Military Nuclear Weapons Taiwan UN Security Council United Nations Thu, 05 Jun 2008 15:45:27 -0700 LibertySugar http://www.citizensugar.com/1689491 http://www.citizensugar.com/node/1681389 <a href="http://www.sfgate.com/cgi-bin/article.cgi?f=/n/a/2008/06/02/politics/p080201D87.DTL&type=politics">McCain Criticizes Obama on Iran</a> The AP reports: "Republican John McCain raised the specter of a nuclear Iran in a speech to a pro-Israel group, once again chastising Democrat Barack Obama for his willingness to meet with leaders of Iran and other US foes. 'It's hard to see what such a summit with President (Mahmoud) Ahmadinejad would actually gain, except an earful of anti-Semitic rants . . .Even so, we hear talk of a meeting with the Iranian leadership offered up as if it were some sudden inspiration, a bold new idea that somehow nobody has ever thought of before,' McCain said as dozens in the audience laughed. http://www.citizensugar.com/node/1681389#comment 2008 Presidential Election aside Barack Obama Iran John McCain Mon, 02 Jun 2008 12:10:34 -0700 CitizenSugar http://www.citizensugar.com/1681389 http://www.citizensugar.com/1663667 <ul> <li><b>IAEA Concerned About Iran:</b> The International Atomic Energy Agency issued an honest and specific report yesterday saying that Iran’s suspected research into the <a href="http://www.nytimes.com/2008/05/27/world/middleeast/27iran.html?hp" target="_blank">development of nuclear weapons</a> remained “a matter of serious concern” and that Iran continued to owe the agency “substantial explanations.” The report pegged Iran with a willful lack of cooperation, especially answering whether nuclear capabilities are intended more for military use than for energy generation. According to Western intelligence agencies, Iranians have ventured into explosives, uranium processing, and a missile warhead design — nuclear weapons activities. One official said of Iran's actions, “There are certain parts of their nuclear program where the military seems to have played a role. We want to understand why.”</li> <p><span class="inline left"><img src="http://images.teamsugar.com/files/upl1/10/104169/22_2008/Tuesday-350x260.jpg" alt="" title="" class="image center preview" height="260" width="350"></span></p> <li><b>Zimbabwe Toll:</b> Zimbabwe's opposition leader Morgan Tsvangirai <a href="http://www.nytimes.com/reuters/world/international-zimbabe-election.html?_r=1&amp;oref=slogin" target="_blank">said today</a> of the violence resulting from the contested election held in March, "Over 50 Zimbabweans have been killed in the past six weeks. More than 25,000 people have been displaced. I've been saddened that Zimbabweans are willing to shed the blood of other Zimbabweans over political differences." The runoff election between Tsvangirai and incumbent Robert Mugabe is <a href="http://www.iht.com/articles/2008/05/16/africa/16zim.php" target="_blank">to be held</a> June 27.</li> <li><b>Fox Commentator Apologizes:</b> Over the weekend, Fox analyst, Liz Trotta, said while discussing Hillary Clinton's <a href="http://www.citizensugar.com/1659569" >RFK remark</a> “now we have what some are reading as a suggestion that somebody knock off Osama, um, Obama — well, both, if we could.” The Fox News anchor interviewing her was startled saying, “Talk about how you really feel,” as Trotta laughed. Yesterday Trotta <a href="http://thecaucus.blogs.nytimes.com/2008/05/27/same-joke-more-regret/" target="_blank">went back on</a> Fox News Channel to apologize. She said, “I am so sorry about what happened yesterday in that lame attempt at humor. I sincerely regret it and apologize to anybody I’ve offended. It’s a very colorful political season, and many of us are making mistakes and saying things that we wish that we hadn’t said.”</li> </ul> <p>To see the video of the incident, </p> <p><a href="http://www.citizensugar.com/1663667">read more</a></p> http://www.citizensugar.com/1663667#comment Elections FOX News Front Page Global Totals IAEA Iran Media Nuclear Weapons Zimbabwe Tue, 27 May 2008 06:55:05 -0700 CitizenSugar http://www.citizensugar.com/1663667 http://www.citizensugar.com/1648218 <ul> <li><b>Liquor Deaths in India:</b> A rash of poisoned liquor consumption has left 110 Indians dead in the past few days. The incidents <a href="http://www.nytimes.com/2008/05/21/world/asia/21india.html?_r=1&amp;ref=asia&amp;oref=slogin" target="_blank">are being called</a> "hooch deaths," and are happening a year after the government outlawed the sale of country liquor — arguing that it was ruinous to the poor — but left other kinds of alcohol legal. Now, plastic bags of illegal brew are found in Bangalore’s poorest neighborhoods, those without proper medical facilities. Many of the deaths could have been prevented with access to a ventilator and dialysis machine, which the local hospital lacked.</li> <p><span class="inline left"><img src="http://images.teamsugar.com/files/upl1/10/104169/21_2008/Wednesday-350x260.jpg" alt="" title="" class="image center preview" height="260" width="350"></span></p> <li><b>Bush Dismisses Iran Attack:</b> The White House criticized the news organization who released a report saying President Bush was preparing to <a href="http://www.nytimes.com/2008/05/21/washington/21prexy.html?ref=washington" target="_blank">order an attack</a> on Iran before leaving office in eight months. Bush's aides view the reports in the <b>Jerusalem Post</b> as mischaracterizations of his intentions in confronting Iran over nuclear enrichment, Iraq, and support of the militant Islamic groups Hezbollah and Hamas. White House Press Secretary Perino said of the report of possible attacks on Iran, it "quotes unnamed sources — quoting unnamed sources — is not worth the paper it’s written on.”</li> <li><b>Spain's Defense Minister Has Boy:</b> Carme Chacón, Spain's <a href="http://www.citizensugar.com/1556829" >first female defense minister</a>, has just <a href="http://www.nytimes.com/2008/05/21/world/europe/21madrid.html?ref=europe" target="_blank">given birth</a> to a baby boy. Prime Minister Zapatero created Spain’s first female-dominated cabinet — nine of 17 members are women. She has begun maternity leave. The press wondered whether Chacón would take the full, four-month maternity leave or split it with the baby’s father — a choice afforded by the sexual-equality law passed last year.</li> </ul> http://www.citizensugar.com/1648218#comment Alcohol Front Page George W Bush India Iran Spain Wed, 21 May 2008 07:00:47 -0700 CitizenSugar http://www.citizensugar.com/1648218 http://www.citizensugar.com/1611799 <p>Out of a population of 71.5 million new figures estimate that roughly 9.45 million Iranians are illiterate. This research was <a href="http://www.news.com.au/couriermail/story/0,23739,23660489-5003402,00.html" target="_blank">compiled by</a> the Literacy Movement Organization (LMO) created after the 1979 Islamic revolution to increase literacy throughout the country, especially in underserved rural areas.<br /> <span class="inline left"><img src="http://images.teamsugar.com/files/upl1/10/104169/19_2008/76963614.preview.jpg" alt="" title="" class="image preview" height="410" width="550"></span><br /> Though the number seems high, it shows some progress. As recently as the 1950s, only around 15 percent of Iran's then largely agrarian population was literate. Government campaigns like the LMO and mass migration to the cities meant literacy soared in the next decades. Tehran currently has the highest literacy level. </p> <p>The organization acknowledges work is still necessary to raise literacy rates. The answer may lie in the country's women — 85 percent of their targeted population is women, and they're taking to the book learnin'. The head of the organization says that women are more motivated to learn reading and writing. </p> <p>Is Iran making gains in this area? According to education stats in <b>The Economist</b> Pocket World in Figures I was surprised to see the country that spends the biggest percentage of money on education is Cuba. The United States didn't crack the top 20, though they do rank fifth in percentage of eligible students enrolled in higher education. Can we judge a country on the education of its citizens? </p> <p><a href="http://www.gettyimages.com" target="_blank">Source</a></p> http://www.citizensugar.com/1611799#comment Headline Iran Literacy Thu, 08 May 2008 03:00:02 -0700 CitizenSugar http://www.citizensugar.com/1611799 http://www.citizensugar.com/1589538 <p><span class="inline left"><a href="/node/1589632" ><img src="http://images.teamsugar.com/files/upl1/10/104169/18_2008/80367540%282%29.preview.jpg" alt="" title="" class="image left preview" height="450" width="300"></a></span>In a crazy twist on a sort of Samson and Delilah-esque story, a governor in northern Saudi Arabia recently <a href="http://ap.google.com/article/ALeqM5gJ_GaZpKR68jx4MrJffCPnzYUrUgD90BHPM00" target="_blank">issued an order</a> promoting the issuance of forced hair cuts as punishment for young men caught pestering women. This decree will be enforced by Saudi Arabia’s Commission For the Promotion of Virtue and the Prevention of Vice who are assigned the task of carrying out the punishment at “the scene of the infraction.”</p> <p>This decision is the result of Prince Fahd bin Badr, governor of the northern al-Jof region, seeing a group of long-haired young men bothering female students leaving their school. Saudi Arabia is renown for its strict imposition of Islamic religious tenets, chief among them that women and men are to be segregated in public. This new law will not apply to all long-haired men, but only those who are caught flirting or harassing women in public. Luckily for the long locked who behave themselves, "the decision doesn't include men who spend their free time in public places without hurting anyone."</p> <p>Would you approve of immediate punishment for on-the-street harassment? Do more rules and stricter societies actually improve quality of life? Are liberties overrated?</p> <p><a href="http://www.gettyimages.com" target="_blank">Source</a></p> http://www.citizensugar.com/1589538#comment culture Iran Politics of Love Women's Rights Tue, 29 Apr 2008 15:45:00 -0700 CitizenSugar http://www.citizensugar.com/1589538 http://www.citizensugar.com/1586818 <p><span class="inline left"><img src="http://images.teamsugar.com/files/upl1/19/193328/18_2008/51660685_0.preview.jpg" alt="" title="" class="image right preview" height="250"></span>Iranian children must be protected from, not by, Batman and Superman. These Western superheroes, along with Barbie and Harry Potter, are alarming Iranian officials.</p> <p>Iran's prosecutor general <a href="http://www.nytimes.com/2008/04/28/arts/28arts-IRANVERSUSBA_BRF.html?ref=middleeast" target="_blank">spoke out</a> against the fictional figures last weekend saying: “These toys, which do not respect the required norms, present dangers for the health of children and affect the survival of toy factories in this country."</p> <p>Barbie specifically is guilty of disobeying Iran's rule against showing curves — women, including plastic ones, must hide all their contours. A while back, police raided toy shops, hiding Barbie's body with black stickers. The prosecutor general is again pushing measures to stop the smuggling of these toys, which have been <a href="http://economictimes.indiatimes.com/ET_Cetera/Iran_slams_Barbie_Potter_toys_smuggle/articleshow/2994094.cms" target="_blank">banned for six years</a>.</p> <p>To counter Western influence, Iran has its <a href="http://www.islamfortoday.com/iran02.htm" target="_blank">own version</a> of Barbie and Ken dolls— Sara and Dara — two siblings that respect Islamic rules, and turn to their parents for guidance. The government hopes that these dolls will become more popular than the well-liked American version.</p> <p>Is it commendable that the Iranian government is promoting toys that promote their cultural and religious values, or is it an affront on freedom? Is it so bad that they are pursuing an alternative to a scantly clad, busty- skinny blond role model? </p> <p><a href="http://www.gettyimages.com" target="_blank">Source</a></p> http://www.citizensugar.com/1586818#comment Barbie Civil Liberties Iran Toys Women Rights Tue, 29 Apr 2008 12:15:32 -0700 LibertySugar http://www.citizensugar.com/1586818 http://www.citizensugar.com/1587317 <p>The current issue of <b>Newsweek</b> <a href="http://www.newsweek.com/id/134317/page/1" target="_blank">critiques a speech</a> John McCain gave over a month ago. Old news, right? Well, apparently not — no one seemed to talk about the comprehensive, yet confused, speech made by a would-be president.<br /> <span class="inline left"><img src="http://images.teamsugar.com/files/upl1/19/193328/18_2008/80389587.jpg" alt="" title="" class="image preview" height="351" width="550"></span><br /> McCain proposed expelling Russia from the G-8 (the council of world economic powers), and adding India and Brazil, while rebuffing China. This active exclusion of two major world powers would undo the work of two of McCain's GOP predecessors — Richard Nixon and Ronald Reagan.</p> <p>The article's author, Fareed Zakaria, lamented McCain's betrayal of pragmatism:<br /> <blockquote> I write this with sadness because I greatly admire John McCain, a man of intelligence, honor and enormous personal and political courage. I also agree with much of what else he said in that speech in Los Angeles. But in recent years, McCain has turned into a foreign-policy schizophrenic, alternating between neoconservative posturing and realist common sense. </p></blockquote> <p>McCain's position actively opposes all non-democracies, at the expense of US strategic allies and national security. </p> <p>McCain isn't the only one making extreme foreign policy statements. For some democratic comparison, </p> <p><a href="http://www.citizensugar.com/1587317">read more</a></p> http://www.citizensugar.com/1587317#comment China Hillary Clinton India Iran John McCain National Security On the Newsstand Republicans Tue, 29 Apr 2008 00:00:02 -0700 LibertySugar http://www.citizensugar.com/1587317 http://www.citizensugar.com/1572315 <ul> <li><b>eBay Sues Craigslist:</b> The "shop victoriously" eBay is suing the popular no-frills community and ad website Craigslist, saying it needs to "safeguard its four-year financial investment." eBay claims that Craigslist executives <a href="http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/business/7362221.stm" target="_blank">took actions that</a> "unfairly diluted eBay's economic interest by more than 10 percent." No further details of that action were gvien. Craigslist responded saying it was surprised and disappointed by eBay's "unfounded allegations." Craigslist is the seventh most popular English-language website.</li> <p><span class="inline left"><img src="http://images.teamsugar.com/files/upl1/10/104169/17_2008/Wednesday-350x260.jpg" alt="" title="" class="image center preview" height="260" width="350"></span></p> <li><b>Zimbabwe Recount:</b> In a recount, Zimbabwe's ruling party (Zanu-PF) has been <a href="http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/africa/7362278.stm" target="_blank">confirmed as the winner</a> of the first of 23 constituencies to analyze the results of March's election. The opposition, Movement for Democratic Change (MDC) has questioned the recounts as an attempt to rig the election and overturn its parliamentary majority. The in