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TEHRAN, Iran (AP) — Iranian state television says the government has freed four dual-nationality prisoners. The report didn't identify the prisoners, but a source close to Iran judiciary tells The Associated Press that one of them is Washington Post bureau chief Jason Rezaian (reh-ZY'-ahn). The dual Iran-U.S. citizen was convicted of espionage in a closed-door trial in 2015, could be among them.
VIENNA (AP) — Iran's foreign minister is suggesting that the U.N. atomic agency is close to certifying that his country has met all commitments under its landmark nuclear deal with six world powers. He told Iranian state TV today that "all oppressive sanctions imposed against Iran will be annulled today." The process of lifting Western sanctions against Iran is to begin once the U.N. agency says Tehran has fulfilled its obligations to restrict its nuclear programs in the deal reached last summer.
OUAGADOUGOU, Burkina Faso (AP) — Norway's foreign minister says the purpose of the deadly assault of on a hotel in Burkina Faso "apparently is to weaken the democratic process in the country." He tells Norway's news agency NTB that the "vulnerable" West African country has "just gotten its first democratically elected government." At least 23 people have been killed by extremists linked to al-Qaida who stormed a hotel and cafe in the capital last night. Four attackers also died.
WASHINGTON (AP) — The Senate is set to consider new rigorous screening procedures for Syrian and Iraqi refugees seeking to enter the United States. The legislation has gained momentum as a result of the Islamic State group's attacks in Paris. The Republican-backed proposal raced through the House in November with 289 votes. That veto-proof margin included 47 Democrats.
WASHINGTON (AP) — President Barack Obama is proposing changes to the U.S. unemployment insurance system that he says would offer more security to the jobless and encourage experienced workers to rejoin the workforce. In his weekly radio and Internet address, Obama said "We shouldn't just be talking about unemployment; we should be talking about re-employment." His proposal would require states to provide wage insurance to workers who lose their jobs and find new employment at lower pay.
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