BRUSSELS -- The European Commission has proposed a 20th package of sanctions against Russia, targeting key sectors including energy, financial services and trade, European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen said on Friday.
According to a statement released by the Commission, the measures are intended to increase pressure on Russia following the second round of trilateral talks on Ukraine held in Abu Dhabi on Wednesday and Thursday between Russia, the United States and Ukraine. The talks failed to produce substantive breakthroughs on core issues, apart from a large-scale prisoner exchange between Russia and Ukraine. (EU-Russia-Sanctions)
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MUSCAT -- The indirect talks between Iran and the United States in Oman's Muscat were "a good start," with both sides agreeing to continue negotiations in the future, Iran's Fars News Agency reported Friday, citing Iranian Foreign Minister Seyed Abbas Araghchi.
Noting that the talks took place in "a positive atmosphere," Araghchi, heading the Iranian delegation, said that the two sides will first hold consultations back in their capitals, and then decide how and when it will be regarding the next round of talks. (Iran-U.S.-Talks)
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MOSCOW -- Russia and the United States recognize the need to begin negotiations on the New Strategic Arms Reduction Treaty (New START) as soon as possible, Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov said on Friday.
Peskov said the issue was discussed during recent talks in Abu Dhabi, the capital of the United Arab Emirates, and that both sides reached an understanding on the need to adopt responsible positions. (Russia-New START)
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ISLAMABAD -- At least 31 people were killed and around 170 others were injured after an explosion ripped through a mosque during Friday prayers in Pakistan's federal capital city of Islamabad, police and government officials said.
Confirming the casualties, Deputy Commissioner Islamabad Irfan Nawaz Memon said that the explosion happened in the Shi'ite mosque located in the Shehzad Town area of Islamabad, prompting authorities to impose a state of emergency in all the major hospitals nearby. (Pakistan-Blast) Enditem
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