67 Afghan force members freed from Taliban
Kabul: Afghan security forces have freed 67 soldiers and police officials from a Taliban-run jail in Afghanistan's Helmand province, officials said on Saturday. The rescue operation was launched in Baghram district and 20 of the freed hostages were taken to neighbouring Kandahar province. The remaining 47 would be taken there “soon”, the Afghan Defence Ministry was cited as saying by Efe news.
Iraqi PM meets Kurdish regional PM
Baghdad: Iraqi Prime Minister Haider al-Abadi on Saturday met the Kurdistan regional government's Prime Minister Nechirvan Barzani for the first time since the controversial independence referendum last year.
Pak closes US-funded Radio Mashaal
Islamabad: The Pashto-language station of the US-funded Radio Free Europe/Radio liberty has been closed by the Pakistani government, officials said on Saturday.
Arab Parliament Speaker to visit China
Cairo: Arab Parliament Speaker Meshal Faham M. Alsulami will lead a delegation to China from January 22 to 24 for talks to enhance relations between the Arab world and Beijing.