(CNN) -- The U.S. State Department launched a new Farsi-language Twitter feed Sunday in a bid to connect with internet users in Iran. "US State Dept recognizes historic role of social media among Iranians. We want to join in your conversations," the department said in its first tweet.

The tide is turning against insurgency in the Afghan province of Helmand, a British commander says. Brigadier James Chiswell, head of UK forces in Helmand, told the BBC there was a sense of cautious optimism.

If approved, it would end the long tradition of Swiss men keeping their army weapons at home both during and after compulsory military service. Weapons would have to be registered, stored in armouries and owners would have to show they know how to use them.

Havana, Cuba (CNN) -- Two prominent Cuban dissidents who had refused to leave prison were released against their wishes on Saturday as the Cuban government continues to free opposition activists arrested during a notorious crackdown in 2003.

Japan has lost its spot as the world's second-biggest economy to China, figures out later are expected to show. Fourth-quarter and full-year gross domestic product figures will be released by Japan at 0850 in Tokyo on Monday (2350 GMT Sunday). Japan's economy has been hit by a drop in exports and consumer demand, while China has enjoyed a manufacturing boom.

Eleven people have died in a stampede at an election rally in Nigeria. The rally in the southern city of Port Harcourt was part of President Goodluck Jonathan's election campaign ahead of a poll due in April.

(CNN) -- Iranian authorities have blocked the word "Bahman" -- the 11th month of the Persian calendar -- from Internet searches within the country, according to an opposition website. The measure appears to be an effort by Iranian authorities to obstruct access to several websites that are promoting a rally on Monday -- the 25th day of Bahman -- proposed by Iranian opposition leaders in support of the uprising in Egypt, Saham News reported Saturday.

The Italian government has declared a humanitarian emergency after nearly 3,000 migrants have arrived in the country in the last few days. Officials say most of the migrants are from Tunisia, which has seen continued turmoil since the 14 January overthrow of President Zine al-Abidine Ben Ali.

Seoul (CNN) -- Talks between North and South Korea collapsed Wednesday after the two sides failed to reach an agreement on securing high-level military discussions during preparatory meetings held in the border area of Panmunjom.

A Taiwanese general has been detained on suspicion of spying for China - the highest-ranking officer involved in alleged espionage in decades. Maj Gen Lo Hsieh-che was recruited by China in 2004 while he was stationed overseas, the defence ministry said.

Prosecutors in Italy say they will formally ask for PM Silvio Berlusconi to be tried for alleged sex with an underage prostitute and abuse of power. The Milan chief prosecutor said a request for a fast-track trial would be submitted to a court on Wednesday. Mr Berlusconi is alleged to have paid for sex with a 17-year-old girl and then intervened to get her released from custody in a separate case.

(CNN) -- The leader of the Hezbollah movement in Lebanon says that Arab regimes have been confronted by popular protest because of their alliances with the United States and Israel. In a televised address carried by Hezbollah's station al Manar, Hassan Nasrallah said those regimes had lost the support and respect of their own people.

(CNN) -- North and South Korea opened working-level military talks Tuesday at the truce village of Panmunjom, South Korea's Defense Ministry said, marking the first inter-Korean dialogue in months. The talks are meant to help pave the way for higher-level military discussions.

A former Philippine military chief who had recently been accused of high-level corruption has died in an apparent suicide. Retired general Angelo Reyes is thought to have killed himself with a single gunshot to the chest. In recent weeks, a Congressional inquiry has been hearing allegations of how Gen Reyes embezzled more than $1m (£620,000) from state funds.

Khartoum, Sudan (CNN) -- Final results of last month's referendum show an overwhelming majority of southern Sudanese voted to split from the north, a result that will lead to the creation of the world's newest nation, the referendum commission said Monday.

(CNN) -- Romania has become a major transit for the sale of people into the European Union. Victims as young as 12 years old are trafficked into Romania from destinations as far-reaching as Honduras, Afghanistan, the Congo, and China. Once they reach Romania, many of these victims are assigned for passage beyond into Western Europe.

London (CNN) -- The previous British government never exerted any pressure on Scottish officials to release convicted Lockerbie bomber Abdelbeset Ali Mohmed al Megrahi, according to the newly released conclusion of an internal document review ordered by Prime Minister David Cameron. It also notes, however, that British officials gave Libyan authorities advice on how to get Megrahi released. The decision to offer such advice was profoundly wrong, Cameron said Monday. The release of Megrahi was "a flawed decision," he told members of parliament. Megrahi, the only person convicted in the 1988 bombing of Pan Am Flight 103, which killed 270, was released from a Scottish prison in 2009. Originally given a life sentence, he was released on grounds of compassion after being diagnosed with what was characterized as terminal cancer. Megrahi is now living in Libya. The report released Monday states that "at all times the former government was clear that any decision on Mr. Megrahi's release ... was one for the Scottish government alone to take. The documentation considered by the review demonstrates that they were clear on this in their internal deliberations and, crucially, in their contacts and exchanges with the Libyans." It notes that former Prime Minister Gordon Brown made clear in a July 2009 meeting with Libyan leader Moammar Gadhafi that "the decision was solely a matter for Scottish ministers and (the British government) could not interfere." The report also notes, however, that "once Mr. Megrahi had been diagnosed with terminal cancer in September 2008, (the British government's) policy was based upon an assessment that U.K. interests would be damaged if Mr. Megrahi were to die in a U.K. jail." A policy was "therefore progressively developed that (the British government) should do all it could ... to facilitate an appeal by the Libyans to the Scottish government for Mr. Megrahi's transfer." Scotland has some control over its own affairs, including justice. The British have consistently denied that commercial considerations -- such as oil giant BP's desire to drill in Libya -- played a role in Megrahi's release. U.S. officials have been sharply critical of the decision to release Megrahi since it was first announced. "Our position throughout this process was public and very clear," White House press secretary Robert Gibbs said Monday. "We did not think in any way, shape, or form that his release was in anybody's interest. We continue to believe that." New Jersey Democratic Sen. Robert Menendez, a leading congressional critic of Megrahi's release, used the announcement of the new report to renew his demand for an independent investigation of the case. There was "a combination of interests" that led to Megrahi's release, Menendez told reporters. It "stretches the imagination" to believe business concerns didn't play a role in the decision. "It is important to get to the totality of the truth."London (CNN) -- The previous British government never exerted any pressure on Scottish officials to release convicted Lockerbie bomber Abdelbeset Ali Mohmed al Megrahi, according to the newly released conclusion of an internal document review ordered by Prime Minister David Cameron. It also notes, however, that British officials gave Libyan authorities advice on how to get Megrahi released. The decision to offer such advice was profoundly wrong, Cameron said Monday. The release of Megrahi was "a flawed decision," he told members of parliament. Megrahi, the only person convicted in the 1988 bombing of Pan Am Flight 103, which killed 270, was released from a Scottish prison in 2009. Originally given a life sentence, he was released on grounds of compassion after being diagnosed with what was characterized as terminal cancer. Megrahi is now living in Libya. The report released Monday states that "at all times the former government was clear that any decision on Mr. Megrahi's release ... was one for the Scottish government alone to take. The documentation considered by the review demonstrates that they were clear on this in their internal deliberations and, crucially, in their contacts and exchanges with the Libyans." It notes that former Prime Minister Gordon Brown made clear in a July 2009 meeting with Libyan leader Moammar Gadhafi that "the decision was solely a matter for Scottish ministers and (the British government) could not interfere." The report also notes, however, that "once Mr. Megrahi had been diagnosed with terminal cancer in September 2008, (the British government's) policy was based upon an assessment that U.K. interests would be damaged if Mr. Megrahi were to die in a U.K. jail." A policy was "therefore progressively developed that (the British government) should do all it could ... to facilitate an appeal by the Libyans to the Scottish government for Mr. Megrahi's transfer." Scotland has some control over its own affairs, including justice. The British have consistently denied that commercial considerations -- such as oil giant BP's desire to drill in Libya -- played a role in Megrahi's release. U.S. officials have been sharply critical of the decision to release Megrahi since it was first announced. "Our position throughout this process was public and very clear," White House press secretary Robert Gibbs said Monday. "We did not think in any way, shape, or form that his release was in anybody's interest. We continue to believe that." New Jersey Democratic Sen. Robert Menendez, a leading congressional critic of Megrahi's release, used the announcement of the new report to renew his demand for an independent investigation of the case. There was "a combination of interests" that led to Megrahi's release, Menendez told reporters. It "stretches the imagination" to believe business concerns didn't play a role in the decision. "It is important to get to the totality of the truth."

There is a risk of "flagrant denial of justice" if Wikileaks founder Julian Assange is tried for rape in Sweden, his lawyer has told a UK court. Geoffrey Robertson QC fears his client could face the death penalty if extradited to the US on separate charges relating to Wikileaks.

Bushfires raging on the outskirts of Perth in Western Australia have destroyed at least 59 homes. Firefighters are battling blazes to the east and north of the city, with the area declared a natural disaster zone. High flames are being whipped up by winds of up to 70km/h (44mph). Hundreds of people have left their homes.

Moscow (CNN) -- The leader of Islamist rebels suspected of bombing Moscow's main international airport last month is pledging to step up deadly attacks in Russia. In a video message posted Sunday on a pro-rebel website, Doku Umarov stopped short of claiming responsibility for the January 24 airport bombing, which left 36 people dead.

Moscow (CNN) -- The leader of Islamist rebels suspected of bombing Moscow's main international airport last month is pledging to step up deadly attacks in Russia. In a video message posted Sunday on a pro-rebel website, Doku Umarov stopped short of claiming responsibility for the January 24 airport bombing, which left 36 people dead.