Free Republic

Iranians who are able to flee their country are doing so, fearing an Israeli attack, Voice of Israel state radio reported Sunday. Iranian business people who hold dual citizenship with passports from European nations are allegedly leaving in droves. They apparently fear that Israel is preparing to attack Iran's nuclear facilities to eliminate President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad's oft-repeated threat to annihilate the Jewish State. In a radio interview, a Palestinian Authority business owner with strong ties in Iran reported that many Iranians fear a “major attack” by Israel that would cause “terrible damage,” especially in Tehran. The source had returned to...

TOKYO, Oct 7 (Reuters) - Tokyo's Nikkei average fell to a new 19-year intraday low on Monday, led by drops in banks and other blue chips such as Sony Corp, with sentiment beaten by another tumble on Wall Street. The Nikkei was down 180.81 points or 2.00 percent at 8,846.74 as of 0011 GMT, its lowest intraday since 1983. The TOPIX index was down 1.85 percent at 875.10. Major bank issues extended last week's heavy losses, with Mizuho Holdings falling 4.72 percent to 203,000 yen and UFJ Holdings sliding 6.88 percent to 203,000, adding to a 32 percent loss last...