TEHRAN: Iranian President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad hailed his country's armed forces as the "guarantor" of regional security, during a low-profile parade on Saturday marking Army Day in the Islamic republic."Iran's armed forces are the guarantor of security in the region," Ahmadinejad in a televised speech during the parade, refraining from the confrontational tone that has marked previous Army Day addresses. "Today the Iranian nation, with its religious armed forces, is ready to have a wide role in world management and to establish security based on justice across the world," he added. Local media had said that 140 fighter jets and other aircraft would stage an aerial display on Saturday but the show was cancelled due to what the media said was bad weather and poor visibility. In previous years, Iran -- which has long been at odds with the international community over its disputed nuclear drive -- has used army day to display its military might including home-built missiles.
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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