BAGHDAD (Reuters) — The decomposed bodies of at least 13 martial arts experts have been found more than a year after they were kidnapped in an Al Qaeda stronghold west of Baghdad, local officials and family members said on Saturday.

GAZA CITY (AFP) — Hamas has pledged in the wake of its bloody seizure of the Gaza Strip to work to free BBC reporter Alan Johnston, snatched by gunmen more than three months ago in the volatile territory.

BEIRUT (AFP) — The Lebanese government has set August 5 for by-elections to replace two assassinated MPs, despite opposition from the country’s pro-Syrian president, Information Minister Ghazi Aridi said Saturday.