BAGHDAD (Reuters) – Eyed with suspicion by the state but credited with dealing al Qaeda a heavy blow, Iraq’s largely Sunni Arab neighborhood guards cautiously welcomed their transfer from U.S. to government control on Wednesday.

BAGHDAD (Reuters) – The number of civilians killed in Iraq last month more than halved to 359 compared to a year ago, Iraqi government figures showed, and the number of U.S. troops killed in action also fell dramatically.

DUBAI (Reuters) – Al Qaeda’s north Africa wing said it was behind a deadly suicide bombing in Algeria on Sunday, according to a statement posted on the Internet on Wednesday.

FRANKFURT/MOSCOW (Reuters) – European and Russian policymakers urged U.S. politicians to pass a new version of a $700 billion bank rescue package on Wednesday as a new Senate vote on the bailout loomed.

The US defence department says the fundamental character of the conflict in Iraq remains unchanged, despite dramatic security improvements there.

TEHRAN (FNA)- An oil pipeline, which went on fire in the city of Ahvaz in southwestern Iran on Tuesday, will resume operation within the next few hours.

TEHRAN (FNA)- Iranian archeologist Hassan Fazeli highlighted the importance of designating the Persian Gulf to be a ‘World Heritage Site.’

TEHRAN (FNA)- An oil pipeline in Ahvaz, the provincial capital city of the oil-rich Khuzestan province in southwestern Iran, went on fire Tuesday morning.

TEHRAN (FNA)- The International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) Director General, Mohamed ElBaradei, voiced deep concern over future efficiency and life of the Non-Proliferation Treaty (NPT), saying nuclear powers are undermining the non-proliferation regime through their duplicitous actions.

TEHRAN (FNA)- An exhibition of artworks created by late artist Nami Petgar opened during a ceremony at the Iranian Artists Forum on Sunday.