A round-up of today's other stories in brief
Leak shows Mugabe haven offer
HARARE – Former UN chief Kofi Annan offered Zimbabwean president Robert Mugabe a deal to step down and live in a safe haven, but the veteran leader rejected the offer, according to US documents obtained by WikiLeaks.
A confidential document dated September 2000 showed a source from prime minister Morgan Tsvangirai’s MDC party told US officials in Harare the party had been told Mr Annan had made the offer during a UN summit in New York. – (Reuters)
Iran jails director for six years
TEHRAN – A court has sentenced acclaimed film director Jafar Panahi to six years in jail and banned him from making movies or travelling abroad for 20 years. Panahi, winner of many international awards and a supporter of opposition leader Mirhossein Mousavi, was arrested in March. – (Reuters)
Russia warning over Start treaty change
MOSCOW – Russia warned US politicians yesterday that any change to the strategic nuclear arms limitation treaty signed by both states in April could kill the pact.
Some US Republicans want alterations in the new Start treaty. The White House has pressed for a ratification vote on it before the senate breaks for Christmas. – (Reuters)