TresSugar

Front Page: Holocaust Denier Ahmadinejad Might Be Jewish

TresSugar — Mon, 05 Oct 2009 08:00:41 -0700

The identity papers of Iranian president Mahmoud Ahmadinejad reveal that he probably has Jewish roots. - The Daily Telegraph
A new report suggests that the government misled the public about the $700 billion bank bailout last year. - New York Times
President Obama will not meet the Dalai Lama when he visits Washington DC this week. The move is intended to reassure China. - Washington Post
Zombieland took the top spot at the box office this weekend. - BuzzSugar
Lindsay Lohan made her debut as an artistic adviser for Ungaro at Paris Fashion Week yesterday. - PopSugar

Front Page: Iranians Clash as Ahmadinejad Denies Holocaust

TresSugar — Fri, 18 Sep 2009 08:00:13 -0700

Iranian President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad denied the Holocaust yet again today during a speech on the country's pro-Palestinian holiday. Iranians opposed to his government also demonstrated. - New York Times
More evidence is emerging from the Annie Le murder case showing how Raymond Clark III allegedly tried to cover his tracks. - Hartford Courant
Bill O'Reilly backs a public healthcare option. - Hufffington Post
Michelle Obama plans on giving an emotional pitch to the IOC, urging them to pick Chicago for the 2016 Olympics. - Bloomberg

Iran Bans Prayers For Opposition Martyr Neda

TresSugar — Mon, 22 Jun 2009 12:10:00 -0700

She's being called the "face of Iran," "Iran's Joan of Arc," and an "Angel of Freedom" - but no matter what she's called, Neda Agha Soltani, who was shot and killed at a protest this weekend in Tehran, will live on as a defining symbol of the segment of Iran's opposition to the controversial election of Mahmoud Ahmadinejad.

The young philosophy student was shot in the heart on Saturday, presumably by government snipers. Graphic video and images of her last moments have spread around Iran and the world, making Neda a galvanizing figure for protesters.

The reaction by Iranian authorities is evidence of her power - the government has banned prayers and memorials for the young girl.

On the video of her death, a man cries: "Neda, don't be afraid! Neda, stay with me. Neda, stay with me!" Although she's dead now, it's clear that Neda will stay with Iranians struggling for more political freedoms for a long time to come.

To see a protest poster with a graphic, and now iconic, image of Neda, read more.

Front Page: Postelection Unrest Rages in Iran

TresSugar — Mon, 15 Jun 2009 08:00:46 -0700

Following the disputed election of Mahmoud Ahmadinejad, thousands of Iranians defied a ban to march in Tehran today. Iran's supreme leader has also ordered a ballot probe. - CNN
The Los Angeles Lakers won their 15th NBA championship last night. - ESPN
Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu redefined his stance on Palestine yesterday, saying that he does support an independent state. - Washington Post
Michelle Obama took advantage of her special relationship with Queen Elizabeth by having a tour and private visit in honor of daughter Sasha's birthday last week. - Reuters
US birth trends hint at a bias for boys in some Asian families. - New York Times

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American Journalist Jailed in Iran Won't Stop Her Fight

TresSugar — Thu, 23 Apr 2009 15:00:00 -0700

Roxana Saberi, the Iranian-American journalist sentenced to eight years in an Iranian jail, has told her parents that she confessed to spying for the US after she was threatened with death.

In an interview with George Stephanopoulos, Roxana's parents said the 31-year-old freelancer who has worked for BBC and NPR plans on starting a hunger strike tomorrow from jail. The tactic will surely raise awareness for Roxana's plight and put more pressure on the US to help her.

President Obama has given his personal word that Roxana is not a spy, but Stephanopoulos, who also spoke with Mahmoud Ahmadinejad, asked the Iranian president if that would be enough to convince him to release Roxana as a gesture of good will. His response was not promising: Obama, he said, could offer good will by letting Iran's judiciary operate without interference.
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Iran Marks 30th Anniversary of Islamic Revolution

LibertySugar — Wed, 11 Feb 2009 09:30:54 -0800

Yesterday Iranians celebrated the 30th anniversary of the Islamic Revolution. In February 1979, Iran transformed from a constitutional monarch under the Shah, to an Islamic republic under the Ayatollah. Celebrating the realization of Islam's political potential, thousands of Iranians gathered in Freedom Square yesterday. Most of them were working class citizens, who strongly support President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad. Many middle-class people feel they were better off before the revolution. Ahmadinejad used the anniversary of the event, which ended warm relations between Iran and the US, to make an overture to President Obama. He said Iran was ready for "talks based on mutual respect and in a fair atmosphere." Not surprisingly, Ahmadinejad used the moment to attack Bush calling for him to be "tried and punished" for his actions in the Middle East. Check out these pictures from the mass rally. Source

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Iran Loses Bid For Global Influence on UN Security Council

LibertySugar — Fri, 17 Oct 2008 15:45:45 -0700

Pushing hard for an elected seat on the UN Security Council, Iran failed to get enough votes from its allies. All 192 United Nations members could participate in the vote to chose which nations should fill the five open seats on the UN Security Council. They decided to give the Asian seat to Japan, instead of Iran by 158 votes to 32.

The extremely influential Security Council can impose sanctions and deploy peacekeepers. Today's vote dealt a blow to Iranian president Mahmoud Ahmadinejad's assertion that the positions of the US do not represent the attitudes of the rest of the world.

In the Europe corner, Turkey, Iceland, and Austria proved formidable opponents. But Iceland was the odd country out, as that continent's open spots went to Turkey and Austria. Uganda and Mexico ran uncontested for the African and Latin American seats. It sure would have been tricky to keep up sanctions on Iran, if they took a seat on the Security Council!

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Iran's Ahmadinejad: We Don't Want Confrontation With Anyone

LibertySugar — Tue, 23 Sep 2008 15:45:36 -0700

Anti-Ahmadinejad rallies outside the UN today turned into anti-Obama rallies critical of the senator's support of talks with Iran. Meanwhile, NPR opened a dialogue of its own with the Iranian president. Here are some highlights from Mahmoud Ahmadinejad's interview with the station, during which he says Iran seeks no confrontation.

On Iran's stated plans to enrich uranium for energy, not for a bomb:
The people of the world, the majority actually, support our stand. One hundred eighteen member states of NAM have declared their commitment to our program and supported it. The Non-Aligned Movement. And 57 member states of the OIC, the Organization of the Islamic Conference, too have supported our position. . . . You are speaking of only three or four countries, led by the United States and with a couple of their European friends, and we don't care about them, because they don't represent the whole world.
On whether international confrontation is in Iran's interest:
We do not have any confrontation with anyone. We seek relations based on respect and justice. . . . Why is it that the US administration and two or three groups that follow it allow themselves to speak for the world?
On the American elections:
I ask you, can anyone in fact become a president without the support of either of the two parties here in the United States? . . . Are 300 million people here in America members of either of the two parties? No, not necessarily. People have no other choices here. You only have two choices. In Iran, at least, we have eight. Who is more free? Who has more confidence in its people?

To find out how Iran's president addresses his statements toward Israel, freedoms in Iran, and how he thinks the US and Iran can move forward, read more.

On whether rhetoric about wiping Israel off the map plays into the hands of Bush:
You are aware that 55 years ago, the US government overthrew the national government of Iran. . . . For over 25 years under the dictatorship, hundreds of thousands of our people went to prison . . . whilst our oil was being looted by American companies. Our people were demeaned. Our independence was harmed. Until the Iranian people rose [in] a popular and democratic event to create the Islamic revolution. . . . While America was there, we had no elections in our country. . . . The eight years of war between Saddam [Hussein] and our country were actually supported directly by the United States. From day one, our people were - sanctions were imposed on our people. So who exactly is the provocateur? Who is the one who seeks war?
On whether the US and Iran can move forward:
Well, yes. Of course, we've never entered the US and caused problems for the people here, but the American government has done that to us. So our first proposal is that they have to stop doing that.
On what Iran could do:
I sent a letter to Mr. Bush. That was a very good opening. I even said that I am prepared to talk at the United Nations with them. We responded positively to the request made by US government to extend a hand of cooperation in a joint security commission involved in upholding a security force for Iraq.
On freedoms in Iran:
There's a lot of freedom in Iran. The example is our interview with you. Can you ask your own president these questions? Can you really so freely meet with him so easily? Never.

After reading Ahmadinejad's interview, would you like US leaders sit down with him?
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Front Page: School Shooting in Finland, Iran President Blames Economy on War, Germany Bids for Hostages

CitizenSugar — Tue, 23 Sep 2008 07:00:39 -0700

School Shooting in Finland:
Nine people have been killed and the gunman wounded after he opened fire at a vocational school in western Finland this morning. Chaos ensued after the hooded gunman entered the school and began firing with what appeared to be an automatic weapon. The superintendent of police says, ''The incident is over now." The gunman had posted video of himself on YouTube prior to the attack.

Iran President Blames Economy on War:
In New York for the opening of the UN, Iranian President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad said today that the economic crisis could be blamed on global US military intervention and President Bush's "logic of force." He said, "The world economy can no longer tolerate the budgetary deficit and the financial pressures occurring from markets here in the United States." Bush says he's confident Congress will quickly pass a bailout bill.
Germany Bids for Hostages:
Germany continues efforts to free 11 foreign tourists kidnapped in Egypt on Friday. The kidnappers are holding five Germans, five Italians, and one Romanian tourist for a ransom of $15 million. Germany has formed a "crisis team" to deal with the situation as the kidnappers have threatened to kill the captives if any aircraft attempt to reach them.

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Mark the Calendar? Ahmadinejad Wants to Debate Candidates

LibertySugar — Fri, 19 Sep 2008 06:00:07 -0700

Russia announced yesterday that it plans to sell military equipment to Iran. If you're dying to know what Iran's President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad has to say about the deal, he'd probably be willing to discuss it with John McCain and Barack Obama.

Ahmadinejad has invited the presidential candidates to debate him on the world stage. Specifically, the Iranian leader would like to chat about global developments at the UN headquarters in New York with John McCain and Barack Obama. And even though he's making the visit to New York for opening session, still thinks that the UN should move its headquarters from the US, to an impartial host country.

At least one person on the tickets will forcefully say "thanks, but no thanks" to Ahmadinejad. Sarah Palin plans on having meetings at the UN next week, and she was set to join an anti-Iran rally outside the UN, until her invitation was taken back.

Even though it's not happening, do you think a televised debate with Iran's president would have any positive results?

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