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Iran in parallel nuclear talks in Vienna, Istanbul

Iran held two sets of talks Wednesday aimed at easing tensions over its nuclear programme, but prospects for any breakthrough were low ahead of next month's elections in the Islamic republic. In Vienna, the UN atomic agency, the IAEA, pressed Iranian officials to grant access to sites, documents and scientists involved in Tehran's alleged efforts to develop atomic weapons.

Iran in parallel nuclear talks in Vienna, Istanbul

Iran held two sets of talks Wednesday aimed at easing tensions over its nuclear programme, but prospects for any breakthrough were low ahead of next month's elections in the Islamic republic. In Vienna, the UN atomic agency, the IAEA, pressed Iranian officials to grant access to sites, documents and scientists involved in Tehran's alleged efforts to develop atomic weapons.

Taiwan rejects Manila's apology for shooting death of its fisherman, recalls its envoy

TAIPEI, Taiwan - Taiwan slammed Manila's response to the shooting death of a Taiwanese fisherman as informal and insincere, and said Wednesday it is recalling its representative and will discourage travel to the Philippines. Premier Jiang Yi-huah said the government was displeased with the apology delivered by the Philippine representative office in Taipei. Taiwan will not accept anything short of a Philippine government apology, he said.

ICC prosecutor opens initial probe into Gaza flotilla

The International Criminal Court has opened a preliminary probe into Israel's deadly raid on a Gaza-bound flotilla in 2010 in which nine Turkish activists died to see if war crimes or crimes against humanity had been committed, the prosecutor's office said Tuesday. "My office will be conducting a preliminary examination in order to establish whether the criteria for opening an investigation are met," Fatou Bensouda said in a statement issued from the court based in The Hague.

ICC prosecutor opens initial probe into Gaza flotilla

The International Criminal Court has opened a preliminary probe into Israel's deadly raid on a Gaza-bound flotilla in 2010, the prosecutor's office said Tuesday. "My office will be conducting a preliminary examination in order to establish whether the criteria for opening an investigation are met," Fatou Bensouda said in a statement issued from the court based in The Hague. Nine Turkish nationals died when Israeli commandos staged a botched pre-dawn raid on a six-ship flotilla seeking to bust Israel's naval blockade of the Gaza Strip on May 31, 2010.

Canada won't participate in UN disarmament forum while Iran in charge

OTTAWA - Canada is once again temporarily turning its back on the United Nations Conference on Disarmament over its selection of a controversial president. Iran take its turn at the helm of the organization later in May, prompting Foreign Affairs Minister John Baird to announce Tuesday that Canada will sit out the sessions during their term. Giving Iran the position, even if it is only temporary, makes a mockery of disarmament issues, said Baird spokesman Rick Roth.

Brazilian Azevedo vows to revive WTO

Brazil's Roberto Azevedo vowed to revive the deadlocked World Trade Organization, as he was confirmed Tuesday as the incoming leader of the body which sets the rules for global commerce. "I have been working in and with this organisation continuously for the last 15 years," Azevedo, still officially Brazil's WTO ambassador, told the 159-country organisation's assembly which approved him by consensus as its next leader.

Brazilian Azevedo vows to revive WTO

Roberto Azevedo of Brazil on Tuesday vowed to revive the deadlocked World Trade Organization, as he was confirmed formally as the incoming leader of the 159-nation body which sets the rules for global commerce. "I have been working in and with this organisation continuously for the last 15 years," Azevedo, still officially Brazil's WTO ambassador, told a session of its ruling General Council which approved him as its next leader.

Iran hopes for progress in parallel nuclear talks

Iran is hoping for advancement in talks with the UN atomic agency over Tehran's past activities as well as in negotiations with world powers on current sensitive nuclear work, the foreign ministry spokesman said Tuesday. "We hope to see good progress" in the talks scheduled for Wednesday in Vienna between the Iranian mission and the International Atomic Energy Agency, spokesman Abbas Araqchi told reporters.

Five foreign sailors kidnapped off Nigeria freed

Five foreigners who were kidnapped last month when heavily armed pirates stormed their cargo ship off Nigeria's oil-producing southern coast have been released, the vessel's German operator said Tuesday. The Gulf of Guinea, which includes the waters of Benin, Nigeria and Togo is an emerging piracy hub, with gunmen frequently targeting oil ships both to steal crude and seize foreign hostages in order to get ransom payments.
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