Work on nuclear plant in Iran enters key stage:Some 600 Russian
Work on nuclear plant in Iran enters key stage:Some 600 Russian
specialists began work on Sunday on a key phase of the US$800
million project to build a nuclear reactor in Iran, a deal that
has drawn strong U.S. criticism. Washington has expressed concern
that the planned 1,000 megawatt reactor in Bushehr will help
advance Iran's weapons program. But Russia has insisted that the
nuclear plant would serve purely civilian purposes and remain
under international supervision. --AP
Iran denounces anti-Iranian remarks by Iraqi VP: Iranian deputy
foreign minister Mohammad Sadr denounced on Sunday anti-Iranian
remarks by Iraqi Vice President Taha Yassin Ramadan who accused
Iranians of always allying themselves with "Zionists" against the
Arab world. Iran strongly opposes a renewed U.S. military
campaign against Baghdad, but did allow an Iraqi Shiite
opposition group based in Tehran to go to Washington to take part
in talks with U.S. officials on Aug. 11. --AFP
Opposition-led Bangladesh strike ends:Nearly 50 people were
injured in clashes on Sunday in two Bangladesh cities as a day-
long strike called by the opposition caused widespread disruption
to business and daily life, police and witnesses said. --Reuters
Kumaratunga drops bombshell ahead of peace talks: President
Chandrika Kumaratunga dropped a bombshell on the island's fragile
Norwegian-backed peace process on Sunday, saying she was against
a lifting of the ban on Tamil Tiger rebels. Raising doubts over
the internationally supported peace bid, Kumaratunga said she was
opposed to moves by the government to lift the ban on the
guerrillas before the start of peace talks in Thailand this
month. --AFP
Assad urges Mideast unity against U.S. threats:Syrian President
Bashar al-Assad urged Arab and Muslim countries on Sunday to
unite in the face of U.S. threats and "foreign conspiracies" as
Washington prepares for a possible attack on Iraq. Assad was
speaking after a meeting in Damascus with Mohammed Sader, a
senior Iranian foreign ministry official. Syria and Iran, both
erstwhile enemies of Baghdad, oppose any strike on Iraq which
they fear could spread to target them. --Reuters