Iran, powers seek to agree basis for final nuclear deal
VIENNA (Reuters) – Six world powers and Iran appeared to make some progress at a second day of talks in Vienna on Wednesday to hammer out an agenda for reaching an ambitious final settlement to the decade-old standoff over Tehran’s nuclear program.
Kerry, Abbas meet at ‘important point’ in talks, U.S. says
PARIS (Reuters) – U.S. Secretary of State John Kerry and Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas met for dinner on Wednesday at what the United States called “an important point in the negotiations” over an Israeli-Palestinian peace deal.
Italy’s Renzi expects government in place by Monday
ROME (Reuters) – Italian Prime Minister-designate Matteo Renzi said he expected his new government to be in place in time for a formal vote of confidence in parliament on Monday, after he wrapped up consultations with the main political parties.
U.N. to send more peacekeepers to Congo mining province
KINSHASA (Reuters) – The United Nations peacekeeping mission in Democratic Republic of Congo will deploy more troops to copper-rich Katanga province to help fight worsening militia violence there, the U.N. force commander said on Wednesday.
Pakistan army says more than 100 soldiers died in fighting
ISLAMABAD (Reuters) – Pakistan’s army on Wednesday said more than 100 soldiers had been killed by Taliban militants in the last five months, in a rare admission of mass casualties since the start of government efforts to engage the insurgents in peace …
Afghan Taliban repudiates hoped-for olive branch to government
KABUL (Reuters) – The Taliban said on Wednesday it had nothing to do with a recent meeting of former and current Taliban figures who appeared open to talks with the Afghan government, raising hope of a negotiated end to many years of bloodshed.
Europe’s centre left to take most votes in EU elections: poll
BRUSSELS (Reuters) – The center left is likely to win the most seats in European Parliament elections in May, a survey showed on Wednesday, boosting the group’s chances of also winning the presidency of the European Commission.
Saudi Arabia jails seven men for up to 20 years for demonstrating
DUBAI (Reuters) – A Riyadh court sentenced seven men to between six and 20 years in jail on Wednesday for offences that included taking part in protests in the town of Qatif, in Saudi Arabia’s Eastern Province, state news agency SPA said.
Niger hosts U.S.-organized exercises to strengthen African security
NIAMEY (Reuters) – Over 1,000 soldiers from 18 African and Western nations launched a U.S. organized counter-terrorism training exercise in Niger on Wednesday aimed at improving security capabilities across Africa’s Sahara-Sahel zone.
Libya to compensate women raped during 2011 uprising
TRIPOLI (Reuters) – Libya will offer compensation to women raped during the 2011 NATO-backed uprising which toppled Muammar Gaddafi, its justice minister said on Wednesday, touching a taboo subject.
