WASHINGTON: The United States relaxed sanctions on Iran yesterday to allow American companies to sell mobile phones, software and other technology used for personal communications to Iranians. The move announced by the US Treasury Department allows Iranians to get access to the latest Apple phones and newest software that have only been available on Tehran’s black market since sanctions were first imposed in 1992. Also, the Treasury Department said it had blacklisted Iranian government groups and officials accused of abusing human rights, including a committee the United States said censors news and other information. Among the groups blacklisted by Treasury was the Committee to Determine Instances of Criminal Content.
Tribes clash in Darfur, 64 killed
KHARTOUM: More than 60 people have been killed in clashes between tribes in Sudan’s Darfur region over land producing the gum arabic stabiliser used in soft drinks. The fluid gum cut from the acacia trees that have grown on the land for years is one of Sudan’s most important agricultural export products. New clashes broke out between the Bani Halba and Al Gimir tribes in Katila in South Darfur. “A total of 64 people were killed and tens wounded from both sides,” police said.
Turkey arrests
12 in raids
ANKARA: Turkish authorities have arrested 12 people on suspicion of being members of a terrorist organisation in raids across the country, a provincial governor said. The police raids were carried out in Turkey’s largest city Istanbul as well as in the southern provinces of Mersin, Adana and Hatay near the Syrian border, said Adana governor Huseyin Avni Cos. He said unknown chemical materials were found during the raids and sent away for investigation. He denied media reports that a small amount of the nerve agent sarin had been uncovered. Six of those arrested were later released, Cos said, while the other six were being kept for further questioning.
Bombs kill 25
in Baghdad
BAGHDAD: A series of bombs battered Shia and Sunni Muslim neighbourhoods across Baghdad yesterday, killing at least 25 people in the worst wave of sectarian violence since civil war five years ago. The violence began in April when Iraqi forces raided a Sunni protest camp in Hawija, angering Sunni leaders and triggering clashes. A car bomb exploded in Binoog in north Baghdad, killing at least four people. Throughout the day, at least six more bombs killed another 20 people in Shia and Sunni districts across the capital. Agencies
