A roundup of today's other world stories in brief:
Local election setback for Ahmadinejad
TEHRAN -Mahmoud Ahmadinejad's allies failed to dominate elections for a powerful Iranian clerical body and local councils, early results showed yesterday, in what analysts said was a setback to the president's standing.
Friday's twin elections for the clerical Assembly of Experts and local councils, the first nationwide vote since Mr Ahmadinejad took office in 2005, will not directly impact policy.
But turnout of around 60 per cent and Mr Ahmadinejad's close identification with some candidates suggested a shift in the popular mood towards more moderate policies and away from the president's ultra- conservative line.
- (Reuters)
18 Guantánamo inmates repatriated
MIAMI -The US military sent 18 Guantánamo prisoners to their home nations over the weekend, reducing the captive population to 395, the department of defence said yesterday. Seven prisoners were transferred to Afghanistan, six to Yemen, three to Kazakhstan and one each to Libya and Bangladesh, the Pentagon said.
- (Reuters)
Migrants missing in boat wreck
DAKAR -A boat carrying west African migrants trying to reach Spain was wrecked off northern Senegal at the weekend and 24 of its occupants were rescued, but many more were reported missing.
Officials said they could not confirm accounts by some survivors that up to 100 more illegal migrants may have been on board the boat.
- (Reuters)
Genetic mutation link to autism
PARIS -French scientists have identified genetic mutations in a small number of children with autism which could provide insight into the biological basis of the disorder.
They sequenced a gene called Shank3 in more than 200 people with autism spectrum disorders, and found mutations in the gene in members of three families.
- (Reuters)
Heather Mills warned of threat
LONDON -Police have told Heather Mills-McCartney about a threat to her safety originating from Merseyside.
Officers spoke to the estranged wife of Paul McCartney, and to the Beatles legend about the "non-specific threat". Ms Mills-McCartney has been given a panic alarm, which allows her to have direct contact with police.
- (Guardian service)
OJ's publisher sacked by Murdoch
LOS ANGELES -Publisher Judith Regan, who caused outrage by touting a quasi-confessional by OJ Simpson entitled If I Did It, has been sacked by her boss, Rupert Murdoch, during his company's Christmas party.
A statement said: "Judith Regan's employment with HarperCollins has been terminated effective immediately."
- (Guardian service)