BASRA, Iraq (Reuters) – British forces set up a checkpoint at a bridge outside Basra on Sunday, witnesses said, but a spokesman said they had no plans yet to retake Iraq’s second city, scene of a government crackdown on Shi’ite fighters.

 TEHRAN (FNA)- Five Iranian police officers were killed on Friday in a helicopter crash while monitoring holiday traffic flows in northwest Iran.

 TEHRAN (FNA)- Five former US secretaries of state advised the next presidential administration to conduct direct negotiations with Tehran.