UNITED NATIONS (Reuters) – Russia has set no deadline for Iran to respond to an offer from six world powers aimed at resolving Tehran’s nuclear standoff with the West, Russia’s U.N. ambassador said on Wednesday.

HASHARON PRISON, Israel (Reuters) – Israel released five Palestinian prisoners on Wednesday as part of a swap deal with the Lebanese Hezbollah guerrilla group that brought the bodies of two Israeli soldiers home.

RAMALLAH, West Bank (Reuters) – Israel has agreed to release roughly 120 to 150 Palestinian prisoners as a gesture to President Mahmoud Abbas, Palestinian negotiator Saeb Erekat said on Wednesday.