WASHINGTON (AP) — Playing down predictions that Iraq is headed towards civil war, President George W. Bush said Saturday that he’s optimistic a new government will unify the nation. He denounced any moves by Iran or Syria to interfere in Iraq’s effort to build a democracy.

VIENNA (AP) — Russia has proposed that new talks on Iran’s nuclear programme take place March 20, preferably in Vienna, in what diplomats characterised Saturday as an effort to head off a showdown at the UN Security Council.A Western diplomat, who demanded anonymity in exchange for divulging confidential information, said …

SALZBURG — The European Union will face tough choices if it has to carry out its threat to cut off aid to the Palestinian Authority over the Hamas group’s refusal to recognise Israel’s right to exist. EU foreign ministers reaffirmed on Friday that Hamas, which won a landslide election victory …