Iranian billionaire executed over $2.6 billion fraud

A billionaire businessman at the heart of a $2.6 billion state bank scam, the largest fraud case since the country's 1979 Islamic Revolution, was executed May 24, state television reported.Authorities put Mahafarid Amir Khosravi, also known as Amir Mansour Aria, to death at Evin prison, just north of the capital, Tehran, the station reported.

Iran's Rohani appoints a reformist as top deputy

TEHERAN : Iranian state TV says the country's new president has appointed a prominent reformist as his top deputy.

The Monday report says Mr Hasan Rohani named Mr Eshaq Jahangiri, a former industry and mines minister, as First Vice President.

Hassan Rouhani becomes new Iranian president

Iran's new president, Hassan Rouhani, vowed after assuming office on Saturday to work to lift the international sanctions imposed on Tehran over its controversial nuclear drive.

My government, "will take fundamental steps in elevating Iran's position based on national interest and lifting of the oppressive sanctions," the moderate cleric said in a first address, broadcast live on state television.

Rouhani was officially endorsed by Iran's supreme leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, who praised the newly-elected president's decades of service to the Islamic establishment.

Cairo clashes kill four

CAIRO, Qahirah: Clashes between supporters and opponents of Mohamed Morsi killed four people on Monday as the ousted Egyptian president's family vowed to sue the army over his ouster.

At least 28 people were also injured in the violence between the rival groups of demonstrators in Cairo and the nearby town of Qalyub, emergency services said.

'Ex-British minister may attend Rouhani's inauguration

Former British foreign secretary Jack Straw may attend Hassan Rouhani's inauguration ceremony, an advisor to the Iranian president-elect has said.

"It is possible that Mr. Straw, who previously showed an interest to travel to Iran, would be invited to the incoming (inauguration) ceremony" of Rouhani, reported Xinhua citing Morteza Bank as saying Thursday.

Earlier this month, Straw told the BBC that he was "more hopeful " about the incoming president to help resolve the country's nuclear issue.

'Ex-British minister may attend Rouhani's inauguration

Former British foreign secretary Jack Straw may attend Hassan Rouhani's inauguration ceremony, an advisor to the Iranian president-elect has said.

"It is possible that Mr. Straw, who previously showed an interest to travel to Iran, would be invited to the incoming (inauguration) ceremony" of Rouhani, reported Xinhua citing Morteza Bank as saying Thursday.

Earlier this month, Straw told the BBC that he was "more hopeful " about the incoming president to help resolve the country's nuclear issue.

Saudi arms will arrive soon: Syria rebel chief

The new head of the opposition Syrian National Coalition said he expected advanced weapons supplied by Saudi Arabia to reach rebel fighters soon and that the Geneva peace conference “is not possible” for now due to their currently weak military position.

Ahmad al-Jarba, who has close links to Saudi Arabia, told Reuters in his first interview since being elected president of the coalition on July 6 that the opposition would not go to a proposed peace conference in Geneva sponsored by the United States and Russia unless its military fortunes improve.

Secunderabad hotel collapse: 12 killed, many trapped under debris

Secunderabad: 12 people were killed and 14 injured after an 80-year-old building collapsed in Secunderabad in Andhra Pradesh this morning. Many are still trapped under debris, including the son of the building's owner.

The 3-storey building of the Iranian City Light hotel collapsed at around 6:30 am. Rescue teams managed to pull out 10 people from the rubble but at least a dozen people could be still trapped.