“Iran can have an effect on world energy and fuel. Fuel prices will go up dramatically. If sanctions are not removed, particularly sanctions against banks and other economic sanctions, the price of oil will go above $150 a barrel.”-Mahmoud Bahmani, Iran’s central bank
A top U.S. Federal Reserve official said that gasoline […] Continue Reading…
Tourism for Iran increases every year, despite UN sanctions. Iranian officials expect a huge leap in tourism for the 2011-2012 year (Iranian year 1389).
Where do the most tourists come from? Germany, then France. Iran hopes to attract three million tourists this year.
The Iran-Pak (or Pak-Iran) Gas pipeline just got a boost from Germany. A German company signed a deal to lay the new pipeline between Pakistan and Iran.
The German company might be ILF Consulting Engineers, who were hired to do a feasibility study earlier in the month of April.
The pipeline will begin from Iran’s Assalouyeh […] Continue Reading…
Germany has agreed to provide Iran with the latest technology and training, to take advantage of the South Pars natural gas fields in Iran.
Iran is also working with several European countries for similar deals: “We are in talks with many foreign companies to attract U.S.$20 billion of investment.”-Mahmoud Zirakchianzadeh, Managing-Director of the National […] Continue Reading…
“Military buildup does not result in energy security, rather it causes instability in the energy market.”-Massoud Mir-Kazzemi, Iranian Oil Minister
Mir-Kazzemi says the West’s militant approach to world issues is the root cause of instability in the global energy market. The U.S. does not have an interest in creating “win-win” situations.
Iran suggests that the […] Continue Reading…
12 Iranian construction workers were kidnapped in Afghanistan. They were building a police training center.
Iran blames “foreigners” which could refer to Western forces, or to al Qaeda. The Iranian government did not specify.
In the last few years Iran and Afghanistan have made major economic deals, including construction programs and gas/oil shipments.
In the late 1990s, […] Continue Reading…
Mexico is still battling the biggest fire in their history. The Coahuila fire has burned more than 400,000 acres (180,000 hectares). It started in mid-March, probably by lighting.
The fires have come within 62 miles (100 kilometers) of the Texas border. The fires are surrounding the cities of Acuña, Arteaga, Muzquiz, and Ocampo.
Toyota announced that they will reduce production in China, to 50%. Parts supply problems are blamed. The reduced production will last until June 3.
The Japanese government is considering drastic ways to increase government revenue to pay for rebuilding, due to the March 11 disasters.
They are considering raising utility fees, increasing existing taxes, and creating new taxes. In a recent NHK poll only 37% of people had no problem with paying higher taxes.
“I was in Tokyo when the earthquake hit, and everything stopped. Trains stopped, buses were in chaos and cars were jammed. Within that, you could just see bicycles swimming through. Some of our stores stayed open until 4 a.m. to meet the surge in demand.”-Susumu Shimoda, Asahi Co. President
Bicycle sales […] Continue Reading…