Rome

Famed opera singer dies

Franco Corelli, considered one of the greatest tenors of the 20th century, has died, the ANSA news agency said. He was 82.

Corelli, whose career took him from La Scala to New York’s Metropolitan Opera and other great stages in between, had been hospitalized in August following what was believed to be a stroke, and ANSA said Corelli died in the same Milan hospital where he was being treated.

Born April 8, 1921, Corelli made his opera debut in 1951 at Spoleto as Don Jose in “Carmen.”

He inaugurated the opera season at Milan’s Teatro alla Scala three years later with Maria Callas, singing in Spontini’s “La Vestale.”

He appeared frequently at the Metropolitan Opera House in New York, which was for many years his favorite venue.

His final performance with the Met was on tour in Puccini’s “La Boheme” on June 28, 1975.

Iran

Official says U.S. should stop accusations

If the United States wants better relations with Tehran, it could start by ending accusations that Iran supports terrorism, a government spokesman said Wednesday.

“They have to avoid making irrelevant accusations against us,” government spokesman Abdollah Ramezanzadeh said, referring to the terrorism charges.

He also urged U.S. officials to “release our assets blocked there and lift sanctions.” Iran said billions of its dollars of its assets were blocked by the United States after the 1979 Islamic revolution.

“These are the preliminary practical measures to win the confidence of the Iranian nation” Ramezanzadeh said.