BEIRUT (Reuters) – Hezbollah’s humbling of Lebanon’s U.S.-backed government has dealt a further blow to American credibility in the region less than a year after Hamas Islamists seized Gaza from Palestinian leaders supported by Washington.

MOSCOW (Reuters) – Russian President Dmitry Medvedev has named his team of close advisers, with key posts going mostly to officials who performed similar roles for previous Kremlin boss Vladimir Putin.

MOSCOW (Reuters) – Russian President Dmitry Medvedev told his new government on Wednesday to step up efforts to help small- and medium-size businesses choked by red tape and corruption.

GAZA (Reuters) – The Israeli military killed two Hamas militants and two Palestinian civilians on Wednesday in the Hamas-controlled Gaza Strip, medical workers said.

CAIRO (Reuters) – Palestinian militant groups will meet in Egypt next week to consider Israel’s response to a Hamas ceasefire offer in the Gaza Strip, Egyptian and Palestinian officials said on Wednesday.

BAGHDAD (Reuters) – Clashes between security forces and Shi’ite gunmen killed six people and wounded 28 in Baghdad overnight, Iraqi police said on Wednesday.

KABUL (Reuters) – Afghanistan will ask international donors for $50 billion in aid at a conference in Paris next month, President Hamid Karzai’s senior economic advisor said.

TEHRAN (FNA)- The US propaganda campaign against Iran’s role in Iraq is to prepare the grounds for a war on the country, a recent poll suggests.

TEHRAN (FNA)- Afghanistan’s envoy to Tehran thanked Iran for the interest it has shown in helping restore peace and security to his country.

TEHRAN (FNA)- Iran’s Foreign Ministry summoned the British ambassador on Monday in protest against a British court’s verdict concerning the removal of an armed opposition to the Islamic Republic from the list of terrorist groups.