World in brief: Sex workers fight brothel proposal

Paris – Dozens of French sex workers proclaiming themselves proud to be prostitutes marched Wednesday to protest a lawmaker’s proposal to legalize brothels in France, arguing that such a law would deny them the freedom to work on their own.

A lawmaker in France’s governing party has proposed reopening brothels six decades after they were banned in order to move prostitutes off the streets and provide them with medical, financial and legal protection.

The protesters say the proposal limits their options to make their own decisions – and are demanding, instead, a repeal of a 2003 law that outlaws solicitation.

Housing approved for East Jerusalem

Jerusalem – Another controversial housing project in East Jerusalem has received approval to break ground despite strong U.S. objections, officials said Wednesday.

The 20-unit project, funded by U.S. businessman Irving Moskowitz, cleared its chief planning hurdles in July but received the final go-ahead March 18, when the developer paid project fees to the city, officials said.

Al-Qaida suspects arrested in sweep

Riyadh, Saudi Arabia – Saudi Arabia said Wednesday it has foiled several planned attacks on oil installations with the arrests of 113 suspected al-Qaida militants in a months-long sweep.

Many of the suspects had come to Saudi Arabia on visas to visit holy sites or by sneaking across its borders, but wanted to join and organize attacks with al-Qaida, the Interior Ministry said.

Those detained included 47 Saudis, 51 Yemenis, a Somali, an Eritrean and a Bangladeshi, the announcement said.

Saudi Arabia has aggressively pursued militants since a series of attacks inside the country that began in May 2003.