The Washington Post reported that two Iranian warships withdrew their application to transit the Suez Canal after Israel expressed concerns over the plans. The official said no reason was given for the decision to withdraw the application. The official, who spoke on condition of anonymity because he was not authorized to speak to the media, also said it was not known if the vessels intended to transit the waterway at a later date. Vessels intending to transit the Suez Canal, which links the Red Sea and the Mediterranean, must give the waterway's authority at least 24-hour notice before entering the canal.
The same theme was touched on by the Guardian. “Israel monitors Iranian warships near Suez canal” says that Israel is monitoring the progress of two Iranian warships, which it says intend to cross through the Suez canal en route to Syria, in a move the foreign minister described as a provocation. The reports come amid rising tension in the region, with unrest sweeping across Arab countries. Israel is deeply concerned about instability in neighbouring countries and fears that Islamist organisations are growing in influence.
The Los Angeles Times published the article headlined “'Freedom for Iran' slogan painted over at La Jolla High.” It says that officials at La Jolla High School in San Diego had the slogans "Freedom For Iran" and "Down With Dictator" painted over when they were discovered on three "senior benches" where messages are permitted. The slogans, on the back and seat of the concrete benches, had been painted by Iranian American students at the school. In a statement to the television station, Shelburne said: "I fully support the Constitution and freedom of speech. But the rules need to be followed. The bench is for birthday wishes or school spirit messages." The school has a bulletin board where political messages are appropriate.
“Students in Iran Clash at Funeral” is an article published by the New York Times. Two days after the largest anti-government protest in Iran in more than a year, supporters and opponents of the authorities fought Wednesday in a battle for the memory of a slain protester. The clashes erupted at Tehran University during the funeral of Saane Zhaleh, one of two students reported killed during protests on Monday. Reports of the number of people arrested over the latest protests in Iran varied, with the official number put at 150 and the opposition’s estimate at 1,500. The protesters who died Monday were identified as Mr. Zhaleh and Mohammad Mokhtari, 22, a student at Islamic Azad University in Shahrood.
The Turkish information agency Hurriyet published the article on the economy of Turkey and its critics by the opposition. The Turkish government’s mission should be to remove poverty, not drive it, said Republican People's Party, or CHP, leader Kemal Kılıçdaroğlu in a meeting held by the Exporters Assembly. The ruling government does not have economic and unemployment policies, he said, adding that the hot money policy constitutes the government’s whole economic policy. Exporters should decrease their costs to be able to compete, Kılıçdaroğlu said, in this situation, the government’s mission is to remove all the obstacles that prevent industrialists and exporters from succeeding.
“Gul: Iran-Turkey ties benefit region” is an article published by the Iranian information agency Press TV. The Turkish president arrived in the Iranian capital city of Tehran on Sunday on a four-day tour, heading a 300-member delegation, comprising of 135 officials and more than 100 businessmen and investors. The official visit came upon an invitation by Iranian President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad. During his stay in Tehran, the President Gul held talks with senior Iranian officials, including Leader of the Islamic Revolution Ayatollah Seyyed Ali Khamenei, President Ahmadinejad, Parliament (Majlis) Speaker Ali Larijani and First Vice President Mohammad Reza Rahimi. The two sides exchanged views on a whole range of issues, including mutual relations and the latest regional and international developments. As members of the Economic Cooperation Organization, Iran and Turkey enjoy very close trade and economic ties.
