Czech It Out: Škoda’s New Rally Car Looks Supremely Bad-Ass

Czech It Out: Škoda’s New Rally Car Looks Supremely Bad-Ass

– We don’t cover the VW Group’s Czech brand, Škoda, round these parts much, but a bitchin’ rally car seems as good a reason as any. (So was this innovative commercial.) Meet the Škoda Fabia R 5, which has been under development for the past 15 months but was just approved by the FIA for global competition. We’re seriously digging on the funky, teardrop wheel wells; the cantilevered wing out back; and

Czech It Out: Škoda’s New Rally Car Looks Supremely Bad-Ass

– We don’t cover the VW Group’s Czech brand, Škoda, round these parts much, but a bitchin’ rally car seems as good a reason as any. (So was this innovative commercial.) Meet the Škoda Fabia R 5, which has been under development for the past 15 months but was just approved by the FIA for global competition. We’re seriously digging on the funky, teardrop wheel wells; the cantilevered wing out back; and

Deal or not, many U.S. states will keep sanctions grip on Iran

By Yeganeh Torbati WASHINGTON (Reuters) – As the United States and Iran come closer to a historic nuclear deal, many U.S. states are likely to stick with their own sanctions on Iran that could complicate any warming of relations between the long-time foes. In a little known aspect of Iran’s international isolation, around two dozen states have enacted measures punishing companies operating in certain sectors of its economy, directing public

Deal or not, many U.S. states will keep sanctions grip on Iran

By Yeganeh Torbati WASHINGTON (Reuters) – As the United States and Iran come closer to a historic nuclear deal, many U.S. states are likely to stick with their own sanctions on Iran that could complicate any warming of relations between the long-time foes. In a little known aspect of Iran’s international isolation, around two dozen states have enacted measures punishing companies operating in certain sectors of its economy, directing public

Islamic State militants breach Iraq refinery perimeter, repelled

Islamic State militants breached the security perimeter around Iraq’s largest refinery in Baiji early on Monday but were beaten back by security forces and coalition air strikes, local officials said. The refinery was under siege for five months after Islamic State militants tore through Iraq last summer. Security forces drove the militants out of the nearby town of Baiji in November.

Islamic State militants breach Iraq refinery perimeter, repelled

Islamic State militants breached the security perimeter around Iraq’s largest refinery in Baiji early on Monday but were beaten back by security forces and coalition air strikes, local officials said. The refinery was under siege for five months after Islamic State militants tore through Iraq last summer. Security forces drove the militants out of the nearby town of Baiji in November.

Russia lifts ban on missile deliveries to Iran, start oil-for-goods swap

By Gabriela Baczynska MOSCOW (Reuters) – Russian President Vladimir Putin on Monday paved the way for long-overdue missile system deliveries to Iran and Moscow started an oil-for-goods swap with Tehran, showing the Kremlin’s determination to boost economic ties with the Islamic Republic. The moves come after world powers, including Russia, reached an interim deal with Iran on curbing its nuclear programme and signal that Moscow may have a head-start in

Russia lifts ban on missile deliveries to Iran, start oil-for-goods swap

By Gabriela Baczynska MOSCOW (Reuters) – Russian President Vladimir Putin on Monday paved the way for long-overdue missile system deliveries to Iran and Moscow started an oil-for-goods swap with Tehran, showing the Kremlin’s determination to boost economic ties with the Islamic Republic. The moves come after world powers, including Russia, reached an interim deal with Iran on curbing its nuclear programme and signal that Moscow may have a head-start in

China to free three women activists on bail, fate of others unknown: lawyers

By Sui-Lee Wee BEIJING (Reuters) – Chinese authorities have unexpectedly decided to release three women activists, two lawyers said on Monday, after an unprecedented vocal campaign against their detention by the West and China’s rights community. Wei Tingting, 26, Wang Man, 32, Zheng Churan, 25, will be released on bail, Liang Xiaojun and Wang Qiushi, two lawyers involved in the case, told Reuters, citing accounts from family members. Their detention

China to free three women activists on bail, fate of others unknown: lawyers

By Sui-Lee Wee BEIJING (Reuters) – Chinese authorities have unexpectedly decided to release three women activists, two lawyers said on Monday, after an unprecedented vocal campaign against their detention by the West and China’s rights community. Wei Tingting, 26, Wang Man, 32, Zheng Churan, 25, will be released on bail, Liang Xiaojun and Wang Qiushi, two lawyers involved in the case, told Reuters, citing accounts from family members. Their detention