Iran's Nuclear Facility

Iran has announced that its first nuclear power plant will begin to produce electricity on April 9, a few weeks after their previously expected date. Due to the computer worm Stuxnet, the plant has faced delays. However, Ali Akbar Salehi, Iran's atomic energy chief, stated that the virus had "not infected the "main systems" and that Iranians are "pursing work with the Russians while observing all the safety issues." It is reported that Stuxnet has mutated computerized industrial equipment in Iran, which could indicate the possibility of safety issues in the nuclear power plant. Salehi stated that "Westerners are not seeking people's health and security and will do anything to gain their aims even if it poses danger to human society." Countries continue to worry about Iran's true intentions with they nuclear facility, fearing that it could be a mask for the production of nuclear weapons. With the plan scheduled to open in April, nuclear talks with Iran seem to have very little room for negotiation.

http://news.yahoo.com/s/afp/20110128/wl_afp/irannuclearpoliticsrussiabushehr_20110128142428

Still... No progress made

Two days talk between Iran and the other six countries ended up with no progress.
Iran refused any proposals made to stop nuclear building. Iran asserted that their nuclear building programs are for only peacful meanings. The officials from the other six countries expressed disappointment but with no surprise. The meeting ended with no other date set for another meeting. However, the officials are predicting that there will be another talking with Iran. The western officials claimed that “Iran must also show that its program is peaceful, and we cannot separate the rights in the treaty from the responsibilities." However, so far, Iran's unability to fully comply with the International Atomic Energy Agency proved the nuclear programs to be "peaceful."

Israel urges actions to stop Iran's nuclear programs, diplomatic or not

http://www.jpost.com/IranianThreat/News/Article.aspx?id=204605

With the renewal of talks between Iran and six world powers taking place, former Mossad head Meir Dagan clarified the intention behind his comment, which said that Teheran would not have the bomb at least until mid-decade. Many saw this comment as a way of relieving pressure on Iran and creating a sense of complacency. However, Israeli officials clarified that Dagan's comment was intended to demonstrate to the international community that Iranian nuclear weapons were only a matter of time. It was meant to instill a sense of urgency by emphasizing that there is still time to act. The Israeli official said that the international community must "take advantage of the time and act forcefully" by supporting diplomatic and economic sanctions against Iran. Furthermore, he stated that "keeping the military option at center stage is also essential." On Tuesday, Iranian President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad said, "Let them issue 100,000 resolutions" in reference to U.N. Security Council sanctions. Iran's U.N. ambassador, Mohammad Khazaee, followed by stating that Iran will "never negotiate on our inalienable right to use nuclear energy for...peaceful purposes." With clearly opposing views and unwillingness to negotiate, a diplomatic approach on stopping Iran's nuclear program seems ineffective and doomed.

Guantanamo Ban Lifted

http://www.nytimes.com/2011/01/20/us/20trials.html?_r=1&ref=world

The Republicans in Congress have made it harder for Obama to move the prisoners into the US and have removed the ban that made it impossible for the detainees to receive trials. The lifting of the ban will allow many detainees to be charged with additional crimes, sentenced, and even given sentences without trials. Mr. Nashiri is the first detainee who will be tried and he is accused of planning the bombing of The Cole in 2000.

Valentine's Day Products Soon to hit the Black Market in Iran

"Valentine's Day Gifts, Banned: Where's the Love Iran?"

http://newsfeed.time.com/2011/01/19/valentines-day-banned-iran/

Article published January 17/2011

“Printing and producing any products related to Valentine's Day, including posters, brochures, advertising cards, boxes with the symbols of hearts, half-hearts, red roses and any activities promoting this day are banned,” claims the Iranian, federally-managed media. Iranian officials explain that the holiday encourages sacrilegious romance and believe the Western holiday takes too big of an influence on the Iranian youth. The new ban does not (and could not) ban the act and emotion of love, but rather reinforces current Iranian law charging that "unmarried couples are not allowed to socialize."