The Washington Post published the article headlined “Sanctions aren’t slowing Iran’s nuclear progress.” It says that the Obama administration is “quietly toasting” the success of international sanctions against Iran. The Islamic republic is having increasing difficulty arranging imports, including food, and the central bank is reportedly short of hard currency. Billions of dollars in foreign investment projects have been canceled, and few banks, insurance companies or shipping firms are willing to do business with Tehran. There are also signs of political stress. Iran’s ability to sustain its nuclear program and its meddling in Iraq reflect the fact that these initiatives are controlled by the Revolutionary Guard, which has not been affected by the political feuding in Tehran and has first claim on the oil revenue that Iran continues to reap.
The same information agency reported that Iranian President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad has cautiously welcomed a Russian proposal for bringing Iran back to talks over its nuclear program, the official news agency reported Thursday. The proposal calls for the international community to make limited concessions to Iran for each step it takes in meeting demands to clarify the nature of its nuclear program.
“Iran's supreme leader attacks 'harmful' books” is an article published by the Guardian. It says that Iran’s former culture minister, Ataollah Mohajerani, has criticised the country's supreme leader for restricting access to literature after Ayatollah Ali Khamenei publicly attacked "harmful books" and likened them to "poisonous" drugs. In a meeting with librarians and officials from Iran's book industry on Wednesday, Khamenei spoke out against books "with a cultural appe arance but with specific political hidden motives."Not all books are necessarily good and not all of them are unharmful, some books are harmful," he said.
The Iranian information agency Press TV reported that Iranian First Vice President Mohammad Reza Rahimi has inaugurated Iran's largest tracking solar power plant in northeast of the country. The solar power plant, designed and built by native experts, went on stream in the holy city of Mashhad, situated 850 kilometers (530 miles) east of the Iranian capital, Tehran, on Thursday, IRNA reported. The plant makes use of 216 solar panels, and is equipped with solar trackers that deliver the highest solar energy production. The power plant would produce enough electricity to power Khorasan province's Regional Electric Company building. According to the chief executive of Mashhad solar energy plant Qolam Reza Karamian, the plant is expected to generate 72,000 kilowatt hours of electrical power each year.
The Turkish information agency published the article subtitled “Money from oil changes the face of Azerbaijan.” It says that The main reason behind the change in Azerbaijan is the rise in oil prices and oil revenue. Today it is the production center for 70 percent of the Caucasus’ economy. Baku has changed dramatically in the last three years due to a rise in oil revenue. Mud along the Caspian Sea shore has been transformed into walking promenades, parks and social facilities for the public. Three “flame towers” are being built as a business center, hotel and residence in the shape of Azerbaijan’s national symbol, a flame. Not only are the buildings changing: the people’s appearance in Azerbaijan is also changing. Gone are the days of old women with golden teeth – most young women are dressed up and sporting a trendier fashion style.
