An image grab taken from a video uploaded on YouTube on October 4, 2012 and released by Al-Baraa Brigade shows an unidentified Syrian rebel standing in front of 30 hostages who the brigade said are Iranian prisoners at an unidentified location in Syria. (AFP Photo/YouTube)
Iranians Held By Syria Rebels 'Released' -- BBC
Forty-eight Iranians held hostage by rebels in Syria since August have been freed, Iranian state TV reports.
The Iranians were released in exchange for 2,130 prisoners held by the Syrian authorities, a Turkish charity said.
Rebel fighters claimed the hostages had been carrying out a mission on behalf of Syrian government forces.
Iran said a number were retired members of the armed forces, but insisted they were pilgrims who had visited a Shia shrine in the south-east of Damascus.
Officials at the Iranian Pilgrimage and Travel Organisation said the group included university students and some public servants.
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MIDDLE EAST
Prisoner swap: 2,130 Syrians for 48 Iranian 'pilgrims'. Syrian rebels free 48 Iranians in prisoner swap: Turkish NGO.
U.N. unable to get food to 1 million hungry Syrians.
Russian naval force gathers off Syria in warning To west.
US could defend Turkey from Syrian strikes by Saturday.
Israeli ex-security chief sees risk of Palestinian uprising.
Abbas and Mashaal to meet Morsi in Egypt.
American missing in Iran was dressed like Guantánamo prisoner in photographs sent to family.
ASIA
China-Japan dispute takes rising toll of top Asian economies.
India lashes Pakistan after deadly Kashmir encounter. India accuses Pakistani troops of crossing Kashmir line.
US and North Korea ties wobble again under weight of mutual suspicion.
Gov. Richardson pressing North Korea to open Internet.
US criticises Vietnam for jailing pro-democracy activists.
Delhi gang-rape trial: judge upholds ruling to hold trial behind closed doors.
AFRICA
Report: Egypt's Muslim Brotherhood infiltrated Obama admin.
Exhausted Egyptians count cost of political turmoil.
DR Congo's M23 rebels declare unilateral ceasefire.
Mali says army has repelled Islamist attack.
900,000 needy blocked from aid in Sudan's south.
Eight killed in Kenya raid, police see political hand.
Libya's liberal NFA group boycotts national assembly.
Massive fire rips through slum in Nigeria megacity.
EUROPE
Eurozone unemployment soars to new high.
Protesters pelt Northen Irish police with petrol bombs for sixth night.
Italy's real election battle is Monti vs Berlusconi.
Berlusconi blasts 'feminist, communist' judges.
Russian banks should beware blacklisted Syria banks: U.S. official.
France jails nine over fundraising for Uzbek militants.
AMERICAS
US oil production 'to jump by a quarter by 2014'.
Venezuela lawmakers postpone Chavez swearing-in.
Preliminary probe into Colombia’s Uribe for allegedly sponsoring far-right militia.
Severe flu season straining the resources of ERs around the country.
30 years after war, Argentina, Britain spar again over Falklands.
Immigration enforcement top crime priority for US.
TERRORISM/THE LONG WAR
U.S. contractor to pay $5.28 million to Abu Ghraib prisoners.
U.S. legal officials split over how to prosecute terrorism detainees.
Think Al Qaeda is dead? Think again (commentary).
ECONOMY/FINANCE/BUSINESS
Apple CEO visits China for second time in less than a year.
Oil production to grow at fastest rate ever.
UBS says cleaning up its act after Libor "shocker".
Lawmakers outraged after AIG announces potential suit against US over bailout.
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