A compilation of brief news reports for Thursday, March 1, 2007.
Two paintings by renowned Spanish artist Pablo Picasso were stolen from the home of his granddaughter, according to the French authorities. The two oil paintings stolen were Maya With Doll and Portrait of Jacqueline; they were taken sometime between Monday, February 26 and Tuesday, February 27. The combined worth of the paintings is estimated at $66 million.
Sources
- “2 paintings by Picasso are stolen in Paris” — New York Times, March 1, 2007
- “Thieves nab $66M Picasso paintings” — CNN, February 28, 2007
Iran will probably participate in a security conference dealing with the situation in Iraq, according to Iranian official Ali Larijani. The conference, according to Iraqi prime minister Nuri Kamal al-Maliki will be held March 10 in Baghdad. It will include the first high-level diplomatic contact between Iranian and U.S. officials in over two years; however, U.S. officials will not directly speak with Iranian or Syrian officials, according to White House Press Secretary Tony Snow. The topics to be focused on will include the recent spate of lethal attacks by insurgents throughout Iraq, especially in Baghdad itself. Nations attending the conference include Syria, Saudi Arabia, Iran, the United States, and the United Kingdom. Other countries invited include France, Russia, China, and Turkey.
Sources
- Richard A. Oppel, Jr.. “Iran to Take Part in Iraq Security Conference” — New York Times, February 28, 2007
- “White House: U.S. won’t talk to Syria, Iran directly” — CNN, February 28, 2007