Netherlands rejects Venezuela accusation

Amsterdam has rejected Caracas allegations that the US was using Dutch Caribbean islands to mount military operations against Venezuela.

Iran charges 7 rioters in connection with unrest

Iran's judicial body will put on trial seven of the rioters, who were arrested following Sunday's unrest in Tehran on the day of Ashura.

Colombian forces kill 18 FARC members

Colombian forces have killed 18 FARC rebels and captured another nine in a surprise assault in the center of the country.

Singaporean-flagged tanker hijacked off Somalia

Somali pirates have seized a Singapore-flagged tanker in the Gulf of Aden, a European Union counter-piracy force says.

India, Pakistan exchange lists of nuclear facilities

The Indian subcontinent's new year tradition played out again as India and Pakistan exchanged lists of their nuclear installations and facilities.

Pakistan denies Blackwater presence on its soil

Pakistan's interior minister rejects reports of any contract between Blackwater (now known as Xe Services LLC) and Pakistani Intelligence Agency.

Mudslide kills 15 on island south west of Rio

A mudslide has struck a small luxury hotel filled with New Year travelers on an island south west of Rio de Janeiro, killing at least 15 people.

Freed British hostage returns to UK

British hostage Peter Moore, who was kidnapped in Iraq in 2007, has flown home for a reunion with his family as controversy over his ordeal refuses to die down.

Israeli forces attack Gaza Strip

Israeli warplanes and tanks have carried out attacks across the Gaza Strip, damaging residential areas and leaving four Palestinians wounded.

In Afghanistan, roadside bomb attacks kill 9

Roadside bomb attacks have killed at least nine people in Badghis and Khost provinces in northern Afghanistan.

Saudi jets pound northern Yemen

The Houthi fighters in Yemen say Saudi warplanes have carried out several airstrikes on the country's beleaguered northern areas, leaving a child dead.

India completes fence construction on LoC

India completes the construction of a fence on the Line of Control (LoC) dividing Kashmir between India and Pakistan to control infiltration into the Himalayan region.

Over 1,000 Afghan civilians killed in 2009

The US-led war in Afghanistan has killed more than 1,440 civilians this year — a figure almost equal to the US-led coalition's overall death toll over eight years of the hostilities.

Nigerian farmers file lawsuit against Shell

Nigerian farmers seek to take the multinational energy company, Shell, to court over the firm's pollutants that have "wreaked havoc" on Nigeria's farms.

Guantanamo closure fizzled by 'terror threats'

Lawmakers from both sides of the aisle in the US are urging the Obama administration to reconsider its plan to close the Guantanamo prison as the nation faces new 'terrorist threats.'

Kenya plans new constitution in 2010

Kenyan President Mwai Kibaki said Thursday that a new constitution is likely to be finalized in 2010 for the East African nation.

NATO tankers come under attack in Pakistan

Militants in Pakistan have once again attacked NATO vehicles carrying supplies through Balochistan province for troops in Afghanistan.

UK summit to discuss intervention in Yemen

Britain said Friday it plans to hold an international summit on fighting "extremism" in Yemen as the Arab nation smolders in flames of a civil war fueled by foreign intervention.

First minimum wage drop in US in 72 years

Minimum wage in Denver, Colorado, will decrease in the new year, marking the first such decrease in any state's minimum wage since 1938.

Fresh mudslide takes 10 lives in Brazil

At least 10 people died in a mudslide which destroyed three houses and an upscale lodge in a resort city near the Brazilian city of Rio de Janeiro.

US court allows NSA to hide info on Gitmo detainees

US intelligence has the right to decline, confirm or deny the existence of surveillance records in order to safeguard the national security, a federal appeal court has ruled.

Pope calls for brotherly love and tolerance

Pope Benedict XVI on Friday called for a world without discrimination that looked on to men as brothers, not rivals or enemies, as he celebrated the start of the new year.

Pakistan volleyball blast toll rises

A bomb attack on Friday targeted the venue of a volleyball game in the strife-torn northwestern Pakistan, killing at least 88 people and wounding several others.

US charges 3 Africans with narco-terrorism

Three drug traffickers arrested in Ghana have been extradited to the United States on charges of narco-terrorism and conspiracy to provide material support to al-Qaeda.

Iran budget bill expected at Parliament

Iranian President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad will submit the budget bill for the next Iranian year to Parliament next week, a senior lawmaker said Friday.

In Pakistan, more civilians fall victim to US drones

The civilian mortalities from US missile attacks on the Pakistani soil in 2009 indicate a threefold increase in compared to the previous year.

Iran cleric urges 'strong action against rioters'

Senior Iranian cleric Ayatollah Ahmad Jannati on Friday called on the judiciary to deal much more strongly with rioters.

Iraq 'regrets' US court ruling on Blackwater

The Iraqi government on Friday expressed "regret" about a US court decision to dismiss all charges against Blackwater guards who killed 17 Iraqi civilians in 2007.

London witnesses anti-Egypt protest

At least 200 protestors gathered Friday outside the Egyptian Embassy in London after news spread that Gaza peace activists had been beaten by Egyptian police in Cairo.

Palestinians mark anniversary of war on Gaza

Hundreds of Palestinians, Israelis and peace activists have staged a rally across the Gaza Strip to mark the first anniversary of Israel's offensive in Gaza.

Gunfire reported at Sweden mosque

A gunman has fired at the main mosque in Sweden's city of Malmo, an eyewitness told Press TV Friday.

Despite Obama optimism, Americans are less hopeful

As President Barack Obama in his New Year message heralds of "brighter days" for the, a new poll suggests that the Americans are less hopeful about the future.

Yemen admits to receiving US military aid

Yemen has admitted to receiving military aid from the United States, saying Washington is providing the Yemeni armed forces with war equipment and training.

Egypt police injure 7 Gaza Freedom Marchers

Seven protestors were injured as Egyptian plainclothes police turned violent at a Cairo street demonstration organized by peace activists.

Two French journalists abducted near Kabul

Two French journalists alongside three Afghans traveling with them have been kidnapped northeast of the Afghan capital, officials said Thursday.

Israel: Slain Palestinians were supposed to be arrested

Israeli officials have acknowledged that they had ordered soldiers to arrest the three Palestinians who were shot dead in Nablus last week.

Warner Bros. sets box office record in '09

Warner Bros. Entertainment Inc. amassed a worldwide box office total of $3.99 billion in 2009, positioning it to be Hollywood's top earning film studio.

2009, a grim year for journalists in Somalia, Mexico, RP

The International Federation of Journalists (IFJ) says Somalia, Mexico and the Philippines were the most dangerous countries for journalists and media correspondents in the past year.

Abbas: Israel planning to destabilize WB

Acting Palestinian Authority chief Mahmoud Abbas says Israel is making efforts to ruin stability and security in the occupied West Bank.

Iran 'takes significant steps in identifying rioters'

Iran's Intelligence Minister Heidar Moslehi says his ministry has undertaken measures to identify elements behind Sunday riots in Tehran.

After Sweden, Spain assumes EU leadership

Spain has taken over the European Union's rotational presidency from Sweden amid economic and statutory issues undermining the integrity of the 27-nation bloc.

67 killed in Russia's New Year fires

At least 67 people have been killed and 144 injured during Russia's New Year's festivities when Russians celebrate with firecrackers and 'cold' fireworks.

Bolivia's Morales lashes out at Obama

Bolivian President Evo Morales has strongly criticized his American counterpart for failing to change Washington's policy towards Bolivia.

Somalia to receive Iran medical assistance

Iran has agreed to send medical aid and humanitarian relief to Somalia as the drought-ravaged North African country sinks deeper into an all-out humanitarian crisis.

US blitz continues to claim lives in Pakistan

At least five people have been killed and several others injured in two separate US drone strikes in the troubled northwestern region of Pakistan.

Houthi fighters set for Saudi peace talks

Yemen's Houthi fighters have expressed readiness to hold peace talks with neighboring Saudi Arabia if Riyadh halts its attacks.

IRIB launches Sahar 2 TV to negate propaganda

The Islamic Republic of Iran Broadcasting (IRIB) has launched a satellite channel to respond to the subliminal psychological programming of western media.

Ancient earthen coffin found in southern Iran

An earthen coffin with a skeleton in it has been discovered in Iran's southwestern province of Khuzestan, an area rich in oil and history.

Obama hails deceased CIA employees

US President Barack Obama has commended employees of the Central Intelligence Agency (CIA) who were killed in an attack in Afghanistan.

Militant leader killed in North Caucasus clash

At least four suspected North Caucasus fighters, including a militia leader, have been killed in clashes between Russian police and opposition militants in Dagestan.

Israel police free suspect in WB mosque fire

Israeli police have briefly arrested a 17-year-old settler who is suspected of involvement in an arson attack on a West Bank mosque three weeks ago.

Iran sets new record in narcotics seizure

Iranian police have seized more than 340 tons of drugs throughout the country during the past nine months, a senior Iranian commander says.

UN slams US over killing of Afghan civilians

The UN special envoy in Afghanistan has said he is concerned about the mounting civilian death toll in the war-ravaged country.

'Taliban poses no security threat to US'

In an exclusive interview with Press TV, former CIA agent Ray McGovern said that the Taliban does not pose any threat to US national security.

Nine killed in bus crash in SE Iran

Nine people were killed in southeastern Iran when a bus on the Bam-Kerman road overturned.

'No military solution to crisis in Afghanistan'

President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad and his Turkish counterpart Abdullah Gul say there is no military solution to the crisis in Afghanistan.

Pyongyang calls for dialogue with Washington

In a New Year's message, Pyongyang has called for dialogue to end hostility between North Korea and the United States and to ensure peace and stability on the Korean peninsula.

Al-Shabaab shuts down UN HQ in Somali town

Al-Shabaab fighters say they have closed down the UN headquarters in the town of Bu'aale in southern Somalia and have informed Somali relief workers to leave the region.

Taliban say they killed 7 CIA agents, 5 Canadians

The Taliban claim they have killed seven CIA agents and five Canadians in separate bombings in Afghanistan.

India, Pakistan to exchange info on nuclear facilities

India and Pakistan will be exchanging information on nuclear installations and facilities through diplomatic channels in New Delhi and Islamabad on New Year's Day.

US judge lets Blackwater/Xe mercs off the hook

A US federal judge has dismissed criminal charges against five Blackwater/Xe security guards accused of fatally shooting 14 people in Baghdad in September 2007.

Obama awaiting report on Flight 253 incident

The US Department of Homeland Security is preparing a report on the plot to blow up a Northwest Airlines plane on Christmas Day.

Former president of Indonesia laid to rest

Thousands of people have attended the funeral of former Indonesian president Abdurrahman Wahid in East Java.

Venezuela warns US about airspace violations

The Venezuelan Foreign Ministry has warned the US military against violating its airspace from bases in Aruba and Curacao.

Israel, US not discussing Iran war, envoy says

The United States and Israel have not yet reached the point of discussing a military option against Iran to halt Tehran's nuclear program, Israel's ambassador to the US says.

'Video of Tehran unrest vehicle assault probably fake'

The Iranian police say they have launched an investigation into a "probably fake" video, which seems to show a police vehicle running into a group of protesters in Tehran.

Nigerian president's absence causing power struggle

Nigerian President Umaur Yar'Adua's absence from the West African nation has caused a power struggle between his advisors and the political kingmakers feuding over his succession.

Exiled terrorist MKO organization rallies in Paris

As many as 50 people have taken part in a rally organized by the exiled terrorist Mujahedin-e-Khalq Organization (MKO) in front of the Iranian embassy in Paris and chanted slogans against top Iranian officials.

Oldest Scandinavian iron forges found

Archaeologists have stumbled upon the oldest and most complex Scandinavian group of iron forges in a rural Norwegian area.

US drone strike leaves two dead in Pakistan

A US drone targeting suspected militants has fired missiles into in Pakistan's troubled tribal belt, killing at least two people and injuring several others.

Finish mall killer found dead: Police

The gunman involved in a shooting spree at a shopping center on the outskirts of the Finnish capital Helsinki has been found dead after killing five people, police say.

Israel razed over 130 Palestinian homes in 2009

The Palestinian Al-Maqdisi Foundation says Zionist authorities gave the go-ahead for demolition of more than 130 Palestinian homes in East Jerusalem Al-Quds in 2009 as part of Tel Aviv's Judaization campaign targeting the holy city.

Mahathir: US preparing for attack on Iran

The former Malaysian Prime Minister Mahathir Mohamad has warned that the US is preparing to launch an attack on Iran with the help of Israel.

Obama aide blasts Cheney for jet bombing comments

The White House has fired back on the criticism leveled by the former Vice President Dick Cheney who insists President Barack Obama has made America less safe.

Iran issues stern warning against rioters

The Intelligence Ministry of Iran has issued a stern warning, asking rioters not to be manipulated by foreigners seeking to once again dominate Iran.

Al-Qaeda takes credit for kidnapping 2 Italians

An al-Qaeda off shoot in Africa, known as al-Qaeda of the Islamic Maghreb, has claimed responsibility for the kidnapping of two Italian citizens on Monday.

UK: Iran not involved in Moore kidnapping

Britain has rejected a report accusing Iran of orchestrating the kidnapping of a British computer expert and his four bodyguards in Iraq.

Taliban takes credit for attack on CIA agents

The Taliban militants say they were behind lethal bombings that killed eight Americans agents working for the CIA in eastern Afghanistan.

Karzai calls for US troops in Afghan custody

Afghanistan has demanded that foreign troops responsible for the killing of 10 civilians be handed over to the custody of the government.

Iran restores 1,800-year old Shapur I statue

Iranian cultural heritage experts are planning to restore the statue of the Sassanid king Shapur I in the southern Fars Province.

Afghan civilian death prompts anti-US rallies

More than a thousand Afghan protesters have staged a demonstration against the killing of ten civilians by foreign troops in the eastern province of Kunar.

French Gaza Freedom March activist killed in Cairo

Organizers of the "Gaza Freedom March" report the death of a French citizen from injuries sustained at the hands of security forces during a demonstration in the Egyptian capital, Cairo.

Larijani: Protesters violated civil rights

Iran's Parliament Speaker Ali Larijani has blasted those who participated in Sunday's violent protests for "violating civil rights."

Egyptian police attack pro-Gaza activists

Egyptian police have attacked some 1,200 international activists who had gathered at the Rafah border crossing to protest against the Israeli-imposed blockade on the Gaza Strip.

UK troops in Afghanistan mal-equipped: MoD

More than half of the UK's new armored vehicles sent to Afghanistan are out of service, new figures released by the British Ministry of Defense shows.

Four killed in Finland mall shooting

At least four people have been killed in a shooting that broke out at a shopping center in the town of Espoo, near the capital of Finnish capital Helsinki.

'No al-Qaeda on Nigerian soil'

Nigerian Muslim leaders have vehemently dismissed the alleged reports on the al-Qaeda network's terrorist activities inside Nigeria, media reports say.

Murder of media workers resumes rising trend

An international journalists' association says 137 media workers were killed in 2009, making it a record year for media fatalities.

Hamas foils Shin Bet attempt to locate Shalit

Hamas says it has foiled an attempt by Israeli agents who were trying to collect information on where Israeli soldier Gilad Shalit is being held.

United routs Wigan 5-0 to close in on Chelsea

Wayne Rooney's superb performance has helped defending champion Manchester United trounce Wigan Athletic 5-0 at Old Trafford.

NATO airstrikes kill eight Afghan civilians

At least eight civilians have been killed in the latest airstrikes by NATO forces in southern Afghanistan, witnesses say.

Pakistan arrests 40 over Ashura attack

Pakistani authorities have arrested about 40 suspects in connection with a deadly attack on an Ashura procession that left 43 people dead.

In NY, bomb scare shuts down Times Square

Security forces have cordoned off parts of New York City's central square and evacuated a number of buildings over a 'suspicious-looking' vehicle.

Iran oil spill endangers wetland, water supply

A yet-to-be-contained oil spill in southwest Iran threatens the water supply of three towns and the internationally recognized Shadegan wetland.

US official hints at new sanctions against Iran

A US State Department spokesman says while keeping the engagement door open, the six major world powers are considering the next punitive measures against Iran.

Turkey weighs investment in Iran South Pars

Turkey continues discussions with Iran over an investment in three phases of Iran's South Pars gas field as well as a gas swap, the Iranian Oil Minister says.

Russia to divert Apophis asteroid from near Earth orbit

Russian space scientists are planning to divert a giant asteroid on a collision course with the Earth in 26 years, the head of the Russian space agency says.

Lithuania to shut down main nuclear plant

Lithuania is set to shut down its main nuclear reactor in the midst of its shrinking economy in line with the conditions it agreed to in order to become an EU member.

Key Bolivian political opponent arrested

A local court in Bolivia has delivered an arrest warrant for a political opponent of President Evo Morales, accusing him of fraud and corruption.

Plane crash in Papua New Guinea kills 6

A small plane has crashed in Papua New Guinea (PNG) in the southwestern Pacific Ocean, killing six people, including two children.