GENEVA (Reuters) – Talks over Georgia’s Moscow-backed breakaway regions were suspended until next month as soon as they started on Wednesday, with both Russia and Georgia blaming each other for the breakdown.

BALIKESIR, Turkey (Reuters) – Turkey’s powerful generals rejected on Wednesday any blame for the deaths of 17 soldiers in a raid by Kurdish rebels, as rare public criticism of the army mounted following a series of attacks.

BAGHDAD (Reuters) – The Iraqi government criticized the top U.S. commander in Iraq on Wednesday for accusing Iran of trying to bribe Iraqi politicians.

Israeli troops have shot dead a Palestinian teenager in the West Bank.The military says the youth had been preparing to throw petrol bombs at the cars of Jewish settlers.

BAKU (Reuters) – Azeri exit polls pointed to victory for incumbent Ilham Aliyev on Wednesday in a presidential election condemned by the opposition as a charade to extend the Aliyev family dynasty in the oil-producing state.

THE HAGUE (Reuters) – The UN’s highest court ordered Russia and Georgia on Wednesday to ensure the security of all ethnic groups in the breakaway Georgian regions of South Ossetia and Abkhazia and adjacent areas of Georgia.

KABUL (Reuters) – Afghan and NATO-led forces killed 18 insurgents overnight as dozens of Taliban prepared to attack the capital of the southern province of Helmand for the second time in three days, police said on Wednesday.

BEIJING (Reuters) – Pakistani President Asif Ali Zardari reached trade deals with China on Wednesday, raising hopes that Beijing would help his country through difficult economic and diplomatic times.

BRUSSELS (Reuters) – Russia has walked out of negotiations being held in Geneva on two breakaway Georgian regions, Georgia’s President Mikheil Saakashvili said on Wednesday.

KERBALA, Iraq (Reuters) – Police have discovered the decomposing bodies of 22 men dumped in a mass grave in southern Iraq, police and hospital sources said on Wednesday.