US defense officials have signaled that up-to-date attack plans are available if needed in the escalating crisis over Iran’s nuclear aims, although no strike appears imminent, The Associated Press (AP) reported.

Iranian Foreign Minister Manouchehr Mottaki said in Malawi that Tehran has the political will to boost its ties with African countries, IRNA reported. 

China urged Iran to heed rising international worry about its nuclear ambitions, saying Beijing would seek to work with Europe and the United Nations to defuse the crisis but holding its tongue on any new sanctions, Reuters reported. 

Turkish President Abdullah Gul attended Turkey-Azerbaijan Business Forum in Baku on Wednesday. Speaking at the business forum, Gul said Turkey had recorded important economic progress in the recent years and become the 6th biggest economy of Europe.

Facing a resilient insurgency, officials say President Karzai is seeking negotiations with elements of Taliban to end the conflict. KABUL, AFGHANISTAN — After nearly two years of increased bloodshed, Afghan President Hamid Karzai is reaching out to Taliban militants, who have been waging battle against his government, in a renewed …

Russia’s FM has dismissed Georgian President Mikhail Saakashvili’s claim that Moscow

The EU is losing ground in its relations with Russia and should unite behind a new strategy to secure its interests with Moscow. Arguing the 27-nation bloc has lost

At least 6 tribesmen and 6 government soldiers have been killed in fierce clashes in southern Yemen sparked by protests over jobs.

The Iraqi Kurdish region’s premier, Nechirvan Barzani, on Wednesday urged Kurdish rebels to declare a cease-fire “and think of another solution” to achieving their goal of a Kurdish state.

Hamas members of the Palestinian Parliament held a session of the assembly in Gaza on Wednesday in a challenge to the West Bank-based administration of President Mahmoud Abbas of Fatah. Meanwhile in