RAMALLAH (AP) — Significant progress has been made in secret coalition talks between the supreme Hamas leader and envoys of moderate Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas, officials from both sides said Saturday, signalling a sudden shift in atmosphere after several weeks of deadly internal fighting.

BAIDOA (Reuters) — Somalia’s parliament declared on Saturday a three-month state of emergency amid fears of a return of clan violence after weeks of war ousted Islamists.

CARACAS (AFP) — Iranian President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad, who is locked in a tense standoff with the United States, arrived Saturday in Venezuela for talks with his ideological “brother,” President Hugo Chavez.