Malian government, rebels begin tough peace talks in Algerian capital with parts of country still mired in conflict. The Bamako government and armed groups from northern Mali launched tough talks in Algiers on Wednesday for an elusive peace deal, with parts of the country still mired in conflict.

 U.S. President Barack Obama affirmed that “real progress in several areas” has been made on negotiations with Iran over its nuclear program and that “we have a credible way forward.” In a statement he delivered on Ukraine

French Foreign Minister Laurent Fabius will travel on Friday to Egypt and Israel for talks aimed at bringing the deadly conflict between the Israelis and Palestinians to an end, President Francois Hollande said Thursday. Fabius said on Wednesday that Europe was ready to take action to help bring about a ceasefire between the two parties.