Other world stories in brief
New incentive package for Iran agreed
LONDON -The major powers have agreed to make a new offer of incentives to Iran to halt its sensitive nuclear work, British foreign secretary David Miliband has said, but he has declined to discuss the details.
"I am glad to say that we have got agreement on an offer that will be made to the government of Iran," Mr Miliband, flanked by senior officials from Britain, France, China, Russia and the United States, said yesterday.
"We very much hope that they will recognise the seriousness and the sincerity with which we have approached this issue." - (Reuters)
Freed journalist returns to Sudan
KHARTOUM- Al Jazeera journalist Sami al-Haj has been returned home to Sudan after more than six years in Guantánamo Bay, urging Washington to respect human rights and branding torture as terrorism.
Haj said he and the other Guantánamo detainees had been subjected to all kinds of torture, but the worst had been when his jailers insulted Islam or desecrated the Koran in front of prisoners. - ( Reuters)
Drug lord held in Colombia
BOGOTA- Colombian police have captured drug lord Miguel Angel Mejia, days after killing his twin brother in a shoot-out as authorities crack down on cocaine- smuggling rings run by former right-wing paramilitaries. - (Reuters)
Bush now the most unpopular
NEW YORK- President George W Bush is the most unpopular president in modern American history, according to a new poll.
A CNN/Opinion Research Corp survey showed 71 per cent of Americans disapprove of how Mr Bush is handling his job as president. No US president has had a higher disapproval rating in any CNN or Gallup poll and it is the first time such a rating has broken the 70 per cent mark. - (PA)
Police question Israeli PM
JERUSALEM- Israeli police have questioned prime minister Ehud Olmert under caution over money raised by a US citizen for municipal and party elections in 1999 and 2002, according to his office.
A statement said Mr Olmert answered investigators' questions for an hour yesterday and would continue to co-operate with law- enforcement authorities. - (Reuters)