TEHRAN (Fars News Agency)- Iran and Italy would ink an initial agreement on gas export in the near future, the National Iranian Gas Export Co. (NIGEC) managing director said here Wednesday.

A Russian opposition activist was committed to a psychiatric hospital before government protests, supporters said Friday – the latest in a series of incidents suggesting a punitive Soviet-era practice is being revived.

Russian President Vladimir Putin met with Belarus’ leader late Thursday, starting a visit that was closely watched for signs the two ex-Soviet neighbors were advancing toward a merger.