Tehran,Tehr?n Province,Iran

Hamas bends to pressure in Gaza and abroad
Its support base dropped to 19 percent after the war; many blame the Hamas-Fatah standoff for their plight. Egypt hosts the rivals for a final round of reconciliation talks July 25.

By Rafael D. Frankel | Correspondent of The Christian Science Monitor from the July 7, 2009 edition

Gaza City, Gaza - By one calculus of Middle Eastern politics, Israel could say that its month-long offensive against Hamas and heightened economic blockade of Gaza have succeeded.

Iran's President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad has defended his June re-election as the world's "most free" despite ongoing opposition claims that it was rigged.

In a televised address, Mr Ahmadinejad blamed foreign powers for trying to sabotage the vote.

He said "significant" changes would be made to his government, in the fields of employment, housing and culture.

Earlier, opposition leaders criticised the heavy security response to mass protests after the disputed election.

Runner-up Mir Hossein Mousavi's website published what it said was a joint statement backed by fellow defeated candidate Mehdi Karoubi and former President Mohammad Khatami, calling for the release of people detained during the post-election protests.

IRAN UNREST

By Jumana Al Tamimi, Associate Editor
Published: July 06, 2009, 00:00

Dubai: Saudi Arabia and Kuwait have made swift and clear denials over press reports that Israeli warplanes would be allowed to fly in their airspace during an attack on Iran.

An informed Saudi official branded the reports "stupid", and a "pathetic way (from Israel) to gain some recognition from some Arab countries or Muslim countries" through giving the impression that it has communications with the Kingdom.

However, these Arab and Muslim countries "didn't buy it", the official said.

From yesterdays GDN paper...

" TEHRAN:
A hardline Iranian cleric called yesterday for the execution of leading "rioters" to teach a lesson to the tens of thousands who have protested against the result of the presidential election two weeks ago.

"I want the judiciary to ... punish leading rioters firmly and without showing any mercy to teach everyone a lesson," Ayatollah Ahmad Khatami, a member of the Assembly of Experts, told worshippers at Tehran University.

Iran's top legislative body, the Guardian Council, said it had found no major violations in the election, which it described as the "healthiest" since the 1979 Islamic Revolution, but said 10 per cent of ballot boxes would be recounted.

Brave Iranis, my heart goes out to all who call and struggle for change in this hardline regime.

Hope Fades but Anger Is Alive as Iran's Rulers Crack Down

TEHRAN, June 24 -- Standing in Tehran's grand Vali-e Asr Street amid a sea of green, the opposition's signature color, Mehrdad was sure Iran was on the verge of a change for the better.

He pulled out his cellphone and started filming the crowd around him: the girls in green head scarves, the ladies in traditional chador with green bands around their wrists, the middle-aged couple holding hands as they marched. All were supporters of Mir Hossein Mousavi, the man Mehrdad was certain would be the next president of Iran.

That was two weeks ago. Now everything has changed.

According to Press TV:

At least 13 people were killed and 20 wounded in post-election violence in the Iranian capital Tehran on Saturday, officials have said.

The casualties occurred after some 'terrorist elements' infiltrated the rallies. The armed terrorists set fire on a mosque and two gas stations and attacked a military post.

Despite a ban put by the Interior Ministry for any gatherings and warnings by Iranian police, protesters staged another rally in Tehran to protest to the June 12 election results, in which incumbent Mahmoud Ahmadinejad was re-elected by almost two-thirds of votes.

The Pirate Bay helps Iran critics dodge censorship

By LOUISE NORDSTROM, Associated Press Writer Louise Nordstrom, Associated Press Writer – 1 hr 58 mins ago

STOCKHOLM – Popular file-sharing site The Pirate Bay said Wednesday it has helped launch an Internet network in support of Iranian election critics allowing users to dodge the regime's censorship rules by surfing anonymously.

The Pirate Bay, whose operators were convicted in April of helping others commit copyright violations, temporarily changed its logo to "The Persian Bay" early Wednesday with a link to a protest forum.

Arabs largely silent on Iran election and unrest

By HADEEL AL-SHALCHI, Associated Press Writer Hadeel Al-shalchi, Associated Press Writer – 2 hrs 35 mins ago

excerpt:

Jordanian political analyst Labib Kamhawi said Arabs want "somebody else to fight their battles on their behalf."

CAIRO – Key Arab nations have kept silent about Iran's political upheaval, possibly reluctant to antagonize the powerful nation that sponsors such militant groups as Hezbollah and Hamas.

But there are signs the young and reform-minded have been inspired by the mass protests that followed the disputed election.

"It makes me feel so jealous," said Abdelmonem Ibrahim, a young pro-reform Brotherhood activist in Egypt.

Violence broke out in Tehran as hardliners and riot police open fire on protesters last night.

http://www.timesonli...

Personally I've always found that shooting peaceful protesters was the correct response to proving you didn't rig an election, and also show that you're a mature, responsible country and government. :P

What do you think?

(being sarcastic if you can't tell).