In short

Today's other stories in brief

Today's other stories in brief

Expulsion reprieve for gay Iranian

LONDON - Britain has granted a gay Iranian teenager a reprieve from deportation to Iran, where he says he could be hanged for being a homosexual.

UK home secretary Jacqui Smith said in a statement that, "in the light of new circumstances", Mehdi Kazemi's appeal for asylum in Britain should be reconsidered.

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Mr Kazemi (19) came to Britain to study in 2005, lawyers have said.

He later learned that his lover in Iran had been hanged after being charged and convicted of sodomy. Homosexuality is illegal in the Islamic Republic. - (Reuters)

Two 'Harry Potter' films planned

NEW YORK - Warner Bros will make two movies based on the seventh and final Harry Potter novel to tap the popularity of JK Rowling's best-selling series about the young wizard.

The first part of Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows will be released in 2010 and the second the following year, Warner Bros said in a statement. - (Bloomberg)

Computers but no toasters for Cuba

HAVANA - Communist Cuba has authorised the unrestricted sale of computers and DVD and video players in the first sign that its new president, Raul Castro, is moving to improve Cubans' access to consumer goods.

An internal government memo said that the appliances, which have been long desired by Cubans, can go on sale immediately, although air-conditioners will not be available until next year and toasters until 2010, due to limited power supplies. - (Reuters)

Italian royal drops suit to contest poll

MILAN - The nephew of Italy's last king has announced that he will run for parliament in April's election, promising to drop a lawsuit seeking damages from the Italian state for sending his family into exile for 54 years.

"I don't want to ask Italy for anything. Today I'm getting involved so that I can give, not ask," said 36-year-old Emanuele Filiberto of Savoy, who is representing his Values and Tradition Party.

Male members of the family were banned from stepping on Italian soil until 2002. - (Reuters)

More finds in Jersey home abuse inquiry

JERSEY - Police investigating allegations of abuse at a former children's home in Jersey say they have made finds in a second cellar room.

Deputy police chief Lenny Harper confirmed that "items" had been discovered, but said it was too early to say if they had any sinister import.

Forensic examination of the second of four cellar rooms at Haut de la Garenne are continuing.

The second room is three times the size of the first room, where police found blood specks in a shallow concrete bath last week. The first room in the former children's home also housed an item, believed to be shackles, and a secret trapdoor entrance. - (PA)