GENEVA (AFP) — Major European powers and Iran have agreed to continue talks over Tehran’s controversial nuclear programme amid signs they could strike a deal soon, foreign ministers and negotiators said after a last-ditch meeting here Wednesday to avert an escalation in the dispute. Iran pledged to maintain a suspension …

WASHINGTON (AFP) — Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice on Wednesday praised Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas’ performance in office so far and reaffirmed the US commitment to creating a “contiguous” Palestinian state. In an interview with AFP as Abbas started a round of talks in Washington, Rice played down reported Israeli …

RAMALLAH (AP) — Palestinian leader Mahmoud Abbas wants to postpone parliamentary elections until November, hoping to recapture some of the popular support his ruling Fateh movement has lost, a spokesman for the Hamas group said Wednesday. Two Palestinian officials close to Abbas, who is in the US for talks with …