Former head of Iran’s team of nuclear negotiators Ali Larijani said that “new and constructive ideas” had emerged during talks in Rome on Tehran’s nuclear program.

Iranian caretaker Oil Minister Gholam Hossein Nozari here Wednesday expressed hope the peace pipeline contract would be signed by the three parties – Iran, Pakistan, and India.

The Qatari football Association announced that it is hoping to arrange a friendly match with Iran next month.

Foreign Minister Manouchehr Mottaki here Thursday stressed that without the recognition of Iran’s rights, a blur prospect would be waiting for the nuclear talks between Tehran and West.

SYDNEY (AFP) — Europe should deploy more troops to the dangerous southern regions of Afghanistan, Australia’s foreign minister said Friday as the country mourned its second soldier killed there in three weeks. Alexander Downer said Australia would welcome forces from NATO’s European members joining them in southern Afghanistan, the former …

NATO has “lost” its military campaign in Afghanistan, a former UN envoy warned Thursday, as Britain’s prime minister met his Afghan counterpart and coalition defense ministers struggled with strategies in the war-ravaged country.    

  Israeli Prime Minister Ehud Olmert said Tuesday that Iran’s controversial nuclear program is “a major issue for the entire world” and called for stronger sanctions against Tehran.

Pakistan opposition parties believe the bombing attack against the homecoming parade of former premier Benazir Bhutto scuffles the opposition ahead of the upcoming general elections, scheduled for next January and only serves the interest of President Pervez Musharraf.

US forces hope to hand over half of Baghdad to Iraqi security control by the end of 2008, after violence in Iraq dropped to its lowest level since January 2006, the number two US general in Iraq has said. 

Ukrainian Communist Party leader Pyotr Simonenko plans to propose constitutional amendments to the Ukrainian Supreme Rada, in accordance with which Ukrainian president is to be elected by the parliament. Simonenko’s statement was released today by the Communist Party press office, a REGNUM correspondent informs.