Looking for a lighter story about the Middle East? Well, the Malaysian newspaper, The Star, may have the perfect antidote for your post-Thanksgiving weekend blues.
The paper details the latest events in the remarkable career of Iranian world record weightlifter Hussein Rezazadeh.
Apparently, Tehran has given him 200 square meters of land on an island in the Persian Gulf, a car, and medical insurance for himself and his family for life, to prevent him leaving Iran for Turkey.
The offer came after Ankara reportedly tried to woo Rezazadeh with a luxury villa, $20,000 a month and a bonus $10 million, should he take gold in the 2004 Olympics in Athens, the capital of Turkey’s neighbor and greatest foe.
Rezazadeh took the world record last month in the 105 kilo clean and jerk category, lifting 263 kilograms (578 pounds).
He will probably need all his muscle power to lift his newly-inflated bank balance.