Israel allows private imports into Gaza

Israel has allowed 10 trucks of clothes and shoes for Palestinian traders into the Gaza Strip for the first time since Hamas took over the territory in 2007. Food, medicines and fuel are allowed into the territory, but aide agencies say there are serious shortages.

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Senegal to unveil disputed statue

Senegal is set to inaugurate a massive $27m monument – bigger than the Statue of Liberty – that has drawn massive criticism over its cost and symbolism. The 49m (160ft) Monument of African Renaissance will be unveiled in Dakar as the highlight of the nation’s 50th anniversary of independence

US ‘revamps air security checks’

The US will announce on Friday that it is to begin profiling US-bound passengers to determine who should get extra screening, reports say. The measures would replace mandatory enhanced screening of all travellers from 14 nations, brought in after the failed attack on a flight in December.

Teenage widow ‘probable bomber’

The 17-year-old widow of a North Caucasus militant is suspected of being one of the suicide bombers who attacked the Moscow metro on Monday. Police in southern Russia confirmed to the BBC that they had given Moscow colleagues information about Dzhennet Abdurakhmanova, from Dagestan. The morning rush-hour bombings killed 39 people and injured more than 70, most of whom are still in hospital

Malaysia woman’s caning commuted

A Malaysian woman sentenced to be caned for drinking beer has had her punishment commuted. Kartika Sari Dewa Shukarno had pleaded guilty to the offence under Malaysia’s Islamic law and was to have received six strokes of a rattan cane

Iran takes nuclear case to China

China is ready to hold "serious" talks with Western powers about new sanctions against Iran, senior US officials say. UN ambassador Susan Rice said the US, the UK, France, Germany, Russia and China had agreed to begin drafting a UN resolution on Iran’s nuclear programme.

Death ‘looms for Saudi sorcerer’

The lawyer for a Lebanese man sentenced to death in Saudi Arabia for witchcraft has appealed for international help to save him. Ali Sabat was the host of a popular Lebanese TV show in which he predicted the future and gave advice. He was arrested by religious police on sorcery charges while on a pilgrimage to Saudi Arabia in 2008

France advised against veil ban

France’s top administrative body has advised the government that any total ban on face-covering Islamic veils could be unconstitutional. The State Council also said a ban could be justified in some public places

Netanyahu downplays US tensions

Israel’s PM Benjamin Netanyahu has moved to ease tensions with the US, describing the two countries’ relations as those of "allies and friends".

Modi questioned at riot inquiry

The chief minister of India’s Gujerat state, Narendra Modi, has appeared for the first time before a panel investigating deadly riots in 2002.

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