TEHRAN: Iran's hardline President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad insisted on Wednesday that Tehran has no plans to build a nuclear bomb, in a speech on the eve of its annual national atomic energy day.Addressing a large gathering in the central city of Isfahan where Iran has a uranium conversion facility, Ahmadinejad referred to US President Barack Obama as saying Iran has no right to have an atomic bomb. "Recently, you (Obama) said that Iran can have nuclear technology for peaceful purpose, but does not have the right to have a bomb," Ahmadinejad said. "I am telling you that the Iranian nation was never seeking a bomb as the era of bombs and armies is over," he said as the crowd cheered with chants of "Death to America."Ahmadinejad said Iran was still waiting for "fundamental and real changes" from Obama and the United States, with whom Tehran has had no diplomatic ties for three decades. "If you are talking of change ... bismillah (In the name of God) ... change your method, your vocabulary and the path towards Iran," the Iranian leader said. "You have extended your hand to us. If you are sincere in it, we welcome it, but if not, then our reply will be same as the one we gave to Mr. (George W.) Bush." On Thursday, Iran is to mark its national atomic energy day in Isfahan where Ahmadinejad is expected to make a key announcement.
Sunday, February 28, 2010 HAVANA: Hundreds of wealthy merchants and cigar aficionados from all parts of the world gathered in Havana this week to bid high stakes for humidors full of premium cigars. Cuba's annual Habanos festival ended on Friday night with an auction of ornate humidors of cedar and mahogany stacked with hand-rolled stogies that raised 800,000 euros ($1.09 million dollars). Habanos S.A. executives this month said cigar sales fell 8 percent to $360 million in 2009, so they have created the Julieta, a smaller, milder version of the Romeo y Julieta cigar, aimed specifically at female smokers. Women now make up only 5 to 10 percent of customers for Habanos. But even with the creation of the Julieta, Garcia said Habanos has only modest hopes for 2010 sales, due largely to a weak economy in Spain, the biggest market for Cuban cigars. The flavor of premium tobacco relies on the soil and climate in which it is grown. The western province of Pinar Del Rio, famous fo...
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