Minister: Sanctions Lower Iran's Dependence on Oil, Increase Non-Oil Exports
TEHRAN (FNA)- The sanctions and restrictions imposed by the West on Iran's economy have caused a sharp reduction in Tehran's dependence on oil revenues, and encouraged the country to increase exports of non-oil products, Iranian Minister of Industry, Mines and Trade Mehdi Qazanfari said on Sunday. ( 15:30:04 - 2013/05/12)

FM to Represent Iran in OIC Meeting on Mali
TEHRAN (FNA)- Iranian Foreign Minister Ali Akbar Salehi left Tehran for Jeddah on Sunday to attend a meeting of the Organization of Islamic Cooperation (OIC) on the crisis in Mali. ( 15:29:06 - 2013/05/12)

Iranian Police Seize over 1 Ton of Narcotics in Northwestern Province
TEHRAN (FNA)- Iran's drug combat squads have seized more than 1 ton of narcotics in the Northwestern province of Zanjan in the current Iranian year (started March 21), a provincial police chief announced on Sunday. ( 15:28:07 - 2013/05/12)

Justice Minister Deplores West's Instrumental Use of Human Rights
TEHRAN (FNA)- Iran's Justice Minister Morteza Bakhtiari lambasted the West's double-standard policies on human rights, and said that the West is making an instrumental use of the issue to deprive the third world countries of their rights. ( 15:24:44 - 2013/05/12)

Iranian Envoy Urges Int'l Community to Condemn Israeli Attack on Syria
TEHRAN (FNA)- Iranian Ambassador to Baku Mohsen Pakayeen called on all the world states to deplore Israel's recent air raids on Syria to prevent the outbreak of new wars in the region. ( 15:23:48 - 2013/05/12)

Tbilisi to Host Iran-Georgia Economic, Industrial Cooperation Conference
TEHRAN (FNA)- The first conference and exhibition of Iran-Georgia economic and industrial cooperation is scheduled to be held in Georgia's capital early in July. ( 15:22:51 - 2013/05/12)

New Jersey Hostage Standoff Ends after 3 Days; 3 Children Safe
TEHRAN (FNA)- A three-day standoff in New Jersey involving a gunman barricaded with children ended Sunday morning, authorities said. ( 15:21:49 - 2013/05/12)

NHS Battle Planned in London Next Week
TEHRAN (FNA)- An unprecedented coalition of British trade unions, Labor MPs, medical staff, anti-privatization campaign groups and London residents will descend on the streets of London on May 18 to protest government's closure and privatization of hospitals. ( 15:17:58 - 2013/05/12)

Future China-Venezuela Cooperation Looks Optimistic
TEHRAN (FNA)- Officials from Venezuela and China voiced confidence in bilateral relations since President Nicolas Maduro took office in April, saying the two countries' cooperation prospects look great. ( 15:17:41 - 2013/05/12)

4 Dead Bodies Found Shot in Indiana Home
TEHRAN (FNA)- Authorities are investigating the death of three males and one female in a Southern Indiana home as a quadruple homicide, an official source said. ( 15:17:25 - 2013/05/12)

China Aims for Simpler Forex Regulations
TEHRAN (FNA)- China will simplify regulations on foreign exchange management to create a more convenient investment environment for foreign investors, the State Administration of Foreign Exchange (SAFE) said. ( 15:17:10 - 2013/05/12)

Basij Commander: US Fearful of War with Iran
TEHRAN (FNA)- Commander of Iran's Basij (volunteer) Force Brigadier General Mohammad Reza Naqdi downplayed the US and its allies' war rhetoric against Iran, and said they don't dare to attack Iran because they have no hope of victory in such a war. ( 14:54:11 - 2013/05/12)

Iran to Ink Contract on Exploration of Shale Oil, Gas Layers
TEHRAN (FNA)- The National Iranian Oil Company (NIOC) Director for Exploration Hormoz Qalavand announced that the country will start exploration of unconventional oil and gas deposits in near future. ( 14:52:50 - 2013/05/12)

Bulgarians Vote in Parliamentary Elections
TEHRAN (FNA)- Bulgarians went to the polls on Sunday in the country's early parliamentary elections, with opinion polls predicting uncertainty of forming a working majority and government. ( 14:50:53 - 2013/05/12)