Damascus clashes

Beirut, Nov. 30 (Reuters): Syrian air force jets bombarded rebel targets today close to the Damascus airport road and a regional airline said foreign carriers had halted flights to the capital.

Activists said security forces clashed with rebels trying to topple President Bashar al-Assad around Aqraba and Babilla districts on the southeastern outskirts of the Damascus which lead to the international airport.

Iran embargo

Washington (Reuters): The US Senate on Friday resoundingly approved new sanctions on trade with Iran’s energy, port, shipping and ship-building sectors, its latest effort to ratchet up economic pressure on Tehran over its nuclear programme.

Depardieu

Paris (AP): French actor Gerard Depardieu was detained on Thursday for allegedly driving drunk on his scooter, police said. The 63-year-old actor was picked up after he fell off his scooter in northwest Paris.

China rebel

Beijing (Reuters): A court in China sentenced the nephew of blind Chinese activist Chen Guangcheng to three years in jail on Friday for intentional infliction of injury.