MOSCOW (Reuters) – Police in a central Russian region have advised priests to apply for firearms licenses so they can defend their churches from marauding thieves who have been stealing religious icons at gunpoint.

BAGHDAD (Reuters) – Iraq’s presidential council paved the way for provincial elections on Wednesday when it signed a law seen by Washington as crucial to helping reconcile the nation’s factions.

TEHRAN (FNA)- Iran reported it will sign a final agreement to export natural gas via pipeline to Pakistan in April.