World News Briefs -- May 6, 2009

U.S. Secretary of State Hillary Clinton (C) speaks alongside Afghan President Hamid Karzai (L) and Pakistan's President Asif Ali Zadari before US-Afghanistan-Pakistan trilateral consultations at the State Department in Washington May 6, 2009. REUTERS/Yuri Gripas (UNITED STATES POLITICS)

US Begins Talks With Afghan, Pakistani Leaders -- Yahoo News/AP

WASHINGTON – The Obama administration took on high-stakes diplomacy with the leaders of Afghanistan and Pakistan Wednesday, seeking more cooperation against Taliban militants while apologizing for a U.S. bombing strike that Afghans said killed dozens of innocent civilians.

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MIDDLE EAST

Some U.S.-backed Iraqi fighters desert posts. Car Bombs Kill at Least 12 in Baghdad. PM: Iraqis need help with intelligence gathering.

Major attacks in Iraq since Jan. 1.

US journalist jailed in Iran ends hunger strike.

Hamas feels the heat from Syria. Lebanon-Syria tension eases.

Turkey wedding bloodbath puts militia in spotlight.

Blair: New Mideast peace plan unveiled in weeks.

ASIA

Sri Lanka Says Tamil Tigers Reduced to 300 Fighters in North. Sri Lanka invites U.N.'s Ban, rebels allege starvation.

Indian elections enter final stretch.

Chinese and American ships clash again in Yellow Sea.

Political crisis in Nepal could jeopardize peace process. Police clash with Maoist supporters in Nepal.

U.S. tries again on North Korean nuclear talks.

AFRICA

Jacob Zuma elected President of South Africa.

Soldiers quell Nigeria opposition.

Nigeria now producing more movies than Hollywood.

Algeria and Mali target al-Qaeda.

Zimbabwe activists freed on bail.

French probe into African leaders.

EUROPE

Russia expels Canadian diplomats.

Baltics less willing to provoke Russia

Mega security planned for pope's Israel visit.

Several said injured in Georgia clash.

EU Parliament blocks reform Of EU telecom rules.

AMERICAS

Flu cases rise in U.S.; Mexico reports more deaths.

Mexico's weapons cache stymies tracing.

Payments and apologies for victims of Guatemala's Civil War.

White House to release photo from New York flyover.

TERRORISM/THE LONG WAR

Libyans ask for return of Lockerbie bomber Abdelbaset Ali Mohmed al-Megrahi.

Mumbai attack accused says not guilty of charges.

MI5 agents 'tried to recruit Guantánamo detainees'.

U.S. mulls Saudi scheme for Guantanamo Yemenis.

ECONOMIC/FINANCIAL CRISIS

BofA and Citi need capital as stress tests results loom.

More than one in five homeowners underwater.

Is the EU recovering or tanking?