World briefs

FRANCECity of Light battles smog

Paris imposed drastic measures yesterday to combat its worst air pollution in years, banning half of the city's cars and trucks from its streets for a day in an attempt to reduce the toxic smog that's shrouded the City of Light for more than a week. Cars with even-numbered license plates were prohibited from driving in Paris and its suburbs. Around 700 police manned 179 control points around the region, handing out tickets to offenders. Taxis and commercial vehicles were exempted. Nearly 4,000 people had been ticketed by midday, and 27 drivers had their cars impounded for refusing to cooperate with officers. France has seen exceptionally warm, dry weather this month with little wind, trapping car pollution and fumes. France's unusually high number of diesel vehicles contributes to the smog.

IRANMilitary officers disciplined

The military has dismissed several commanders from service and others face court proceedings for alleged negligence after last month's abduction of five Iranian border guards by Pakistan-based militants, state TV reported yesterday. They were abducted Feb. 6 from Sistan and Baluchistan Province and reportedly taken to Pakistan. Iran has said it sent officials to Pakistan to coordinate their release. Tweets in the name of the Jaish al-Adl, said to be an armed Sunni group, have claimed credit for the kidnapping. Recent tweets have threatened to kill the five.

Dinner with EU canceled

Foreign Minister Mohammad Javad Zarif canceled a planned dinner meeting with Catherine Ashton, the European Union's foreign policy chief, yesterday over meetings she had with opposition activists during a visit to Iran earlier this month, semiofficial Fars news agency reported. It said Zarif's cancellation of yesterday's dinner in Vienna was intended to protest "uncoordinated meetings in Tehran," a reference to her meeting with female opposition activists convicted of rioting after the disputed 2009 election. Zarif was in Vienna for talks about Iran's contested nuclear program.