Russia: Iran’s nuclear power plant will start up in August

A top Russian diplomat reportedly says Iran’s first nuclear power plant will finally start up in August.

Moscow and Tehran signed a US$1 billion contract to build the 1,000-megawatt Bushehr plant in 1995, but delays—the latest caused by the replacement of damaged equipment and an attack of malicious software on the plant’s computer system—left the plant unfinished for years. (more…)

Syrian regime to hold talks with opposition on July 10

Syria said on Monday it will hold talks with the opposition on July 10 to set the framework for a national dialogue promised by President Bashar al-Assad, who is facing a three-month uprising for political freedoms. (more…)

Leaked document shows how Assad banned internet access, report

One of the ways Bashar al-Assad has tried to clamp down on the Syrian revolution is by restricting people’s access to the Internet. Since March 15, when the first protests in Syria began (more…)

MP Jarrah: Hariri won’t return to Lebanon anytime soon

MP Jamal al-Jarrah , a member of the Future Movement bloc told the Voice of Lebanon on Monday that former Prime Minister Saad Hariri – who is the head of the Future Movement , “will not return to Lebanon anytime soon.”

“I do not think Hariri will return anytime soon because of security circumstances (more…)

ICC issues arrest warrants for Gaddafi and son Saif al-Islam

The International Criminal Court issued arrest warrants on Monday for Libya’s Muammar Gaddafi, his son Saif al-Islam and the country’s spy chief, Abdullah al-Senussi, on charges of crimes against humanity.

ICC prosecutor Luis Moreno-Ocampo had in May asked the court to issue arrest warrants for the “pre-determined” killing (more…)

Drug Control forces attacked in Beqaa valley

An armed gang attacked security force members who were attempting to raze cannabis fields in the Bekaa Valley in east Lebanon on Monday, National News Agency (NNA) reported.

The drug Hashish, which is popular in Lebanon and the Mid East region is prepared from cannabis (more…)

Syrian opposition figures meet in Damascus

About 200 Syrian opposition figures have gathered in the capital, Damascus, to discuss strategies for a peaceful transition to democracy.

Participants said Monday’s meeting, held at a hotel in the centre of the city was unprecedented in five decades of the Baath Party’s monopoly of power. (more…)

Justice minister asked Judge Mirza to handle CIA’s Hezbollah spies

Justice Minister Shakib Qortbawi told Al Mustaqbal newspaper that he has contacted prosecutor Judge Said Mirza and asked him to handle the case of the 3 Hezbollah spies as revealed by Hezbollah chief Sayyed Hassan Nasrallah during his Friday speech . (more…)

5 killed as Syrian forces push towards Lebanese border

Syrian troops have widened a crackdown on towns near the Lebanese border, a day after activists said at least five civilians had been killed during house searches and funerals for anti-government protesters.

The military moved into the town of Quseir, (more…)

Gemayel: The cabinet is to serve Hezbollah’s arms and oppose STL

Former Lebanese president and current Phalange party leader Amin Gemayel told New TV on Sunday that Hezbollah is not a charity organization .

His comment is a possible reference to the allocation of 7 ministers to the Sunnis instead of six . The purpose was to include Faisal karami son of the former PM Omar Karami , a staunch ally of Syria and Hezbollah. (more…)