Insurgents fired more than two dozen mortar shells at government targets in the Somali capital overnight, including the president’s residence, in an apparent attempt to disrupt reconciliation talks planned for the weekend.

It still looks like an oasis in the desert, but Baghdad’s smart set does not drive out to play beside the pristine lake at Habbaniyah any more.

Iran and the UN nuclear watchdog have reached agreement on how to conduct negotiations over Tehran’s contentious nuclear programme and will continue talks in search for a final settlement, both sides said.