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