World News Briefs -- February 25, 2010 (Evening Edition)

India's Foreign Secretrary Nirupama Rao welcoming her Pakistani counterpart Salman Bashir prior to their meeting at Hyderabad House, in New Delhi. Photo: V. Sudershan, The Hindu

India, Pakistan Take 'First Step' To Rebuild Broken Trust -- Yahoo News/AFP

NEW DELHI (AFP) – India and Pakistan emerged Thursday from their first official talks since the 2008 Mumbai attacks with a vague promise to keep in contact but no progress on their core disputes.

Indian Foreign Secretary Nirupama Rao and her Pakistani counterpart Salman Bashir met for three hours in New Delhi for talks seen as vital for regional stability and a key part of US war strategy in Afghanistan.

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MIDDLE EAST

Hamas assassination: Are Dubai police getting investigation right?

Turkish army chief meets leaders over 'coup plot'.

Iran forces jet to land, nabs terrorist leader.

Iran parliament head defends nuclear policy.

Leaders of Iran, Syria stand united against U.S. influence.

Sunni leader decides to take part in Iraq election.

ASIA

North Korea responds to military exercise with nuclear threat.

China warns US over future Taiwan arms sales.

China extends position as world’s leading food producer.

Afghan government claims Taliban stronghold.

Pakistan to hand over Taliban No 2, says Afghanistan.

China investigating whether it helped North Korea violate UN sanctions.

Thai court rules on seizing Thaksin's fortune.

AFRICA

Coup for white Zim farmers.

Kenya's poor suffer from scandals, bribery.

Darfur rebels say attacked by army, war not over.

How Nigeria President Yar'Adua made his stealth return. Leader's return to Nigeria sets showdown.

Al-Qaeda frees French hostage; Algeria recalls ambassador to Mali.

EUROPE

Turkish prosecutors free top military officers.

Yanukovich sworn in as Ukrainian president. Yanukovych sworn in as President and hits out at Orange revolution.

The Greece v. Germany row gets deeper.

Qaddafi declares jihad against Switzerland.

Bank dispute sours Iceland's attitude to EU membership.

French air traffic controllers start 5-day strike.

AMERICAS

Venezuela violates human rights, OAS commission reports.

Stronger Fidel Castro meets with Brazil president.

Raul Castro calls Zapata Tamayo's hunger strike death 'lamentable'.

Crunch time for Obama's landmark health reforms.

In Medellín, a disturbing comeback of crime.

TERRORISM/THE LONG WAR

Judge orders another Guantanamo detainee freed.

Clinton says deficit now a security issue.

GOP cries foul over amendment to Intel bill.

U.S. sends 4 Guantanamo prisoners to Albania, Spain.

Before justices, first amendment and aid to terrorists.

Judge rules against 2 at Guantanamo that Bush panel cleared for release.

ECONOMY/FINANCE/BUSINESS

Talks stall over repayment of Iceland’s debt.

GM’s Hummer China deal collapses.

Oil below $80 amid mixed US economy signals.

US Fed chief sees positive signs, but long road to recovery.