Israel to free 250 prisoners

Sharm el-Sheikh (Egypt), June 25 (Reuters): Israeli Prime Minister Ehud Olmert said today he intended to free 250 Palestinian prisoners from Israeli jails in a gesture to President Mahmoud Abbas, leader of the Fatah faction.

Olmert said a new opportunity had been created to promote the West Asia peace process and that he would not let that opportunity pass.

Iraq leaders

Baghdad, June 25 (Reuters): A suicide bomber killed six Iraqi tribal leaders opposed to al Qaida when he blew himself up at a busy Baghdad hotel.

Dhaka plotter

Dhaka (AP):A former military officer sentenced to death for his involvement in the 1975 assassination of Mujibur Rehman has launched an appeal against his sentence.

BBC scribe

Gaza City (AP): In a new video, kidnapped BBC journalist Alan Johnston appears with what he says are explosives strapped to his body and warns that his captors intend to set them off if rescuers try to free him by force.

Diaz sorry

Lima (AP): Cameron Diaz apologised on Sunday for wearing a bag with a political slogan that evoked painful memories in Peru.