Afghan leader backs away from Taliban talks
KABUL, Afghanistan (AP) -- Afghanistan's president said Wednesday he will not pursue peace talks with the Taliban unless the United States steps out of the negotiations, while also insisting the militant group stop its violent attacks on the ground after it claimed responsibility for a rocket attack that killed four Americans....
16 dead: Militants infiltrate UN's Somalia office
MOGADISHU, Somalia (AP) -- Seven al-Qaida-linked gunmen detonated a pick-up truck rigged with explosives at the gate of the U.N. compound in Somalia's capital Wednesday, launching a bombs-and-gunfire assault that saw militants pour into the complex, killing at least nine people, including three foreigners, officials said....
Protesters out again in Brazilian cities
SAO PAULO (AP) -- Scattered street demonstrations popped up around Brazil Wednesday as protesters continued their collective cry against the low-quality public services they receive in exchange for high taxes and rising prices....
US and Cuba to resume migration talks
HAVANA (AP) -- The United States and Cuba have agreed to resume bilateral talks on migration issues next month, a State Department official said Wednesday, the latest evidence of a thaw in chilly relations between the Cold War enemies....
Obama renews calls for nuclear reductions
BERLIN (AP) -- Appealing for a new citizen activism in the free world, President Barack Obama renewed his call Wednesday to reduce U.S. and Russian nuclear stockpiles and to confront climate change, a danger he called "the global threat of our time."...
Italy's first back minister receives death threats
ROME (AP) -- Italy's first black Cabinet minister is facing Internet death threats before a visit to a region known for its anti-immigrant political base....
Bombings kill 7 people in Iraq
BAGHDAD (AP) -- Bomb attacks in Iraq have killed seven people, including a local political leader and four of his relatives, authorities said Wednesday....
Palace sheds some light on Kate's baby plans
LONDON (AP) -- With Prince William and the former Kate Middleton expecting their first child in mid-July - and much of the world interested in the birth of a future monarch - the royals' office has released some of the couple's plans, although many details are still being kept private. Kate has made several public appearances recently but is expected to keep a low profile in the final weeks of her pregnancy. Here is the latest news about the infant who will, upon entering the world, be ...
World powers to meet on Syrian rebel demands
PARIS (AP) -- World powers will meet this weekend in Qatar to decide on how to answer a list of requests for help from Syrian rebels, a French diplomat said Wednesday....
Monsoon floods kill 102 in India, strand pilgrims
LUCKNOW, India (AP) -- India's prime minister said Wednesday that the death toll from flooding this week in the northern state of Uttrakhand had surpassed 100 and could rise substantially....