Islam is very emphatic about discouraging interest in business deals. Once an amount becomes due, it cannot be increased and no undue benefit in cash or kind or any type of favour beyond the counter-value can be demanded. All scopes of offer of price, its negotiation and acceptance are available before completion of a business deal. But once the price is determined, business action takes place and consequently an amount becomes payable by one party and receivable by the other, no further incr...

Iran on Feb. 15 proclaimed advances in nuclear know-how, including new centrifuges able to enrich uranium much faster, a move that may hasten a drift toward confrontation with the West over suspicions it is seeking the means to make atomic bombs. Tehran’s resolve to pursue a nuclear programme showed no sign of wavering despite Western sanctions inflicting increasing damage on its oil-based economy. “The era of bullying nations has past. The arrogant powers cannot ...