Afghan Taliban held peace talks: Iran

AFP, Tehran

Iran said yesterday that the Afghan Taliban have visited Tehran for a second round of peace talks in just a few days aimed at bringing an end to 17 years of conflict. Iran has made a more concerted push for peace in Afghanistan since Trump indicated there would be a significant withdrawal of American troops.

Iraq sentenced 616 foreigners for IS links

AFP, Baghdad

Iraq sentenced more than 600 foreigners including many women and dozens of minors in 2018 for belonging to the Islamic State group, the judiciary said yesterday. Iraq declared "victory" over IS at the end of 2017 after a three-year war against the jihadists, who once controlled nearly a third of the country as well as swathes of neighbouring Syria.

69 migrants rescued off Malta: navy

AFP, Miltau

A group of 69 migrants on a rickety wooden boat were rescued Sunday off Malta, the navy said, while 49 more were still at sea waiting for a country to allow them to dock. The migrants sent out a distress call 117 nautical miles southwest of Malta and a Maltese navy vessel was sent to their aid, a statement said.