British lawmakers to visit Iran to help rebuild ties
LONDON (Reuters) – British parliamentarians are to visit Iran next week to try to organize a reciprocal visit by Iranian lawmakers, the latest step aimed at improving relations between the two countries.
U.S. denies forces involved in possible arrest of Tunisia militant
WASHINGTON (Reuters) – The U.S. military did not take part in any operation on Monday against the head of Tunisian militant group Ansar al Sharia, a military spokesman said, as Tunisia’s state media reported that U.S. and Libyan forces had captured the…
Myanmar to free most political detainees in year-end amnesty
YANGON (Reuters) – Myanmar is expect to release most of its prisoners of conscience on Tuesday and scores more awaiting trial, activists said, after the government announced a year-end amnesty for those held for political reasons.
Switzerland gives Khodorkovsky 3-month Schengen visa
GENEVA (Reuters) – Switzerland granted a three-month visa on Friday to Mikhail Khodorkovsky, the Russian former oil tycoon who was released from prison earlier two weeks ago.
Bahrain says foils ‘terror’ attempts, seizes explosives, weapons
MANAMA (Reuters) – Bahraini authorities have foiled an attempt to smuggle explosives and arms, some made in Iran and Syria, into the country by boat, the Gulf Arab state’s public security chief said on Monday.
Afghanistan rejects grim U.S. intelligence forecast as baseless
KABUL (Reuters) – Afghanistan on Monday rejected as baseless a U.S. intelligence forecast that the gains the United States and allies have made in the past three years will be significantly rolled back by 2017.
U.N. seeks access to Palestinians in Syria after 15 die of hunger
BEIRUT (Reuters) – The United Nations appealed on Monday for the Syrian army and rebel fighters to allow urgent aid to reach a Palestinian district of southern Damascus where it said 15 people have died of malnutrition in recent months.
U.S., Libyan forces capture Tunisian militant leader: media
TUNIS (Reuters) – U.S. and Libyan forces captured Saifallah Benahssine, the leader of Tunisia’s Islamist militant group Ansar al-Sharia, in the Libyan city of Misrata on Monday, Tunisia’s state news agency TAP said, citing a security source.
Bahrain jails five for 15 years for bomb attacks: agency
MANAMA (Reuters) – A Bahraini court sentenced five men to 15 years in prison for two attacks by homemade bombs – including one during last year’s Formula 1 race – the Gulf Arab state’s official BNA news agency said.
Former aide to retired Chinese security chief probed for graft
BEIJING (Reuters) – A former aide to retired Chinese security tsar Zhou Yongkang is being investigated for corruption, the government said, the latest move targeting people close to Zhou who is himself subject to a graft probe.
