The Afghan President Hamid Karzai will pay a three-day state visit to China beginning next Tuesday. This will be Karzai's first visit to China since he was re-elected as the Afghan president in November. <br/> <br/>Shia rebels release 178 civilians and government soldiers<br/><br/>Shia rebels in northern Yemen have released 178 civilians and government soldiers. The release comes after the Yemeni government accused the rebels of not fully complying with a ceasefire agreed in February. The rebels had fought Yemeni forces since 2004, until a major offensive by the government last year led to the peace deal. Under the terms of the deal, the rebels had agreed to free all prisoners. They also pledged to open-up roads, and withdraw from government buildings and army posts.