SUKKUR, Pakistan – Pakistan President Asif Ali Zardari tried to comfort victims of devastating floods yesterday on his first visit to the area after criticism of his trips abroad and his government’s perceived slack response.
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TAGANROG, Russia – Drought has destroyed a quarter of Russia’s grain crop this year, President Dmitry Medvedev said yesterday, pushing some farmers to the brink of bankruptcy and hurting Russia’s bid to expand food exports.
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BAGHDAD – With Washington determined to stick to its timetable for a pullout, an Iraqi general has called into question whether his troops are ready to defend Iraq against a stubborn insurgency and external threats.
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KABUL – Eight foreign medical workers and two Afghans shot by unidentified gunmen were likely killed in an “opportunistic ambush”, the international Christian aid organisation for which they worked said yesterday.
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JERUSALEM – Major powers are working on a statement to set the basis for direct peace talks between Israel and the Palestinians, the European Union’s foreign policy chief told EU foreign ministers yesterday.