RUSSIA

Police make arrest in market bombing

MOSCOW — A man was arrested Saturday in connection with a St. Petersburg supermarket bombing that wounded 18 people. Eight people remain hospitalized after a device exploded Wednesday in a storage area for customers’ bags. The homemade device was rigged with shrapnel to cause more damage. The Federal Security Service did not identify the suspect or provide any details about his motive. It said the man carried out the attack on his own. (AP)

Judges say Navalny cannot seek office

MOSCOW — Russia’s Supreme Court on Saturday upheld a decision barring opposition leader Alexei Navalny from running for president in March. The court turned down Navalny’s appeal against the Central Election Commission. President Vladimir Putin is expected to easily win a fourth term. Navalny has been banned because of a fraud conviction seen by many as politically driven. (AP)

SYRIA

Militants removed from besieged area

DAMASCUS — Dozens of Syrian militants and their families departed aboard buses from an area besieged by government forces near the Golan Heights early Saturday, part of a deal to clear yet another district of insurgents. State media said 153 people, including 106 fighters, left the village of Beit Jin toward Daraa province. (AP)

PAKISTAN

Court clears man in blasphemy case

ISLAMABAD — Pakistan’s supreme court exonerated a man convicted of blasphemy after he served nine years of a life sentence in prison. A two-judge panel ruled Friday that Mohammad Mansha was falsely accused, citing lack of evidence. Mansha, 58, was arrested in September 2008 after the imam of a mosque in Punjab province said he desecrated ated a copy of the Koran. (AP)

ENGLAND

Starr, Gibb chosen as British knights

LONDON — Beatles drummer Ringo Starr and Barry Gibb, the last surviving member of the Bee Gees, have been selected for knighthood, the Cabinet Office said Friday. They were among several citizens honored by Queen Elizabeth II. (AP)