Pistorius to be released on parole

PRETORIA • Oscar Pistorius will be released on parole next week after serving a year of a five-year jail term for killing girlfriend Reeva Steenkamp, South African media said yesterday.

"Oscar Pistorius to be released under correctional supervision next Tuesday," the South African Broadcasting Corp said.

It added: "The parole board met this morning... On Friday, it consulted with Steenkamp's family about Pistorius' possible release."

The department of correctional services said in a statement that he would be placed under house arrest from Tuesday.

AGENCE FRANCE-PRESSE, REUTERS

Justice for Aussies murdered abroad

SYDNEY • Lawmakers introduced a new Bill yesterday to allow the authorities to prosecute those accused of killing an Australian national overseas - a move triggered by an old murder case in Brunei.

Cases could be mounted against suspects for crimes committed before 2002 that have not been prosecuted in the countries where they took place. The criminal code was updated in 2002 after the Bali bombings, to make extraterritorial crimes against citizens prosecutable by Australian investigators.

Schoolteacher Anthea Bradshaw-Hall was killed in Brunei in 1994. The local police reportedly said then they did not have enough evidence to prosecute the suspect, who has not been named

AGENCE FRANCE-PRESSE

Iran Guardian Council approves nuclear deal

TEHERAN • Iran's nuclear accord with world powers won final approval at home on Wednesday, as a top panel of jurists and clerics gave the green light, state news agency Irna reported.

The Guardian Council approved a parliamentary vote on Tuesday endorsing the deal to curb Iran's atomic programme in exchange for an end to sanctions.

The vote came after fierce debate over the terms of the accord. Iranian officials say sanctions should be lifted by January at the latest.

However, Iran must also satisfy the International Atomic Energy Agency of the exclusively peaceful nature of its atomic programme.