Iranian president to address nation

Iranian President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad, whose re-election last month spurred massive protests, plans a televised speech Tuesday night to discuss domestic and foreign issues. Iran’s Fars news agency said the speech will be carried on one of the state-run television networks. The speech will follow a call from Iran’s three top reformist leaders for an end to the “security atmosphere” in the country, referring to what they say is the government’s heavy-handed response to those protesting the results of last month’s presidential election.

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Medvedev expects ‘reasonable solution’ to U.S. nuclear standoff

On the eve of a two-day summit with U.S. President Obama, Russian President Dmitry Medvedev says both countries are "moderately optimistic" about "resetting" their relations. In an interview with Italian media RAI and Corriere della Sera, Medvedev said relations “have begun to revive” after a period of significant deterioration during the administration of President George W.

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26 dead in Pakistan helicopter crash

A military helicopter crashed Friday in northwestern Pakistan, killing at least 26 security personnel on board, the Pakistani military said. A Marine source described the fighting Thursday evening as “our most significant encounter.” Sporadic fighting took place over several hours in the southeastern sector of Garmser district, said Pelletier, spokesman for the Marine Expeditionary Brigade-Afghanistan. Helmand province, a poppy-growing region, is the focus of the military push called Operation Khanjar.

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Leading Russian survives assassination attempt

The president of the troubled Russian republic of Ingushetia was wounded in an assassination attempt Monday when a blast hit his convoy. Yunus-Bek Yevkurov suffered a severe brain concussion, fractured ribs and a ruptured liver, his spokesman said. The president underwent surgery and his life was not in danger, spokesman Kaloi Akhigov said

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Obama reaches out to Russia over nuclear Iran

President Obama has told Russia that the United States might not proceed with a missile defense system in eastern Europe if Iran drops plans for producing nuclear weapons, senior administration officials said Tuesday. Obama raised the possibility in a letter to Russia seeking help in trying to end Iran’s nuclear program, a senior administration official said. Contrary to news reports, it was not a secret letter, the official said

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Obama: U.S. looking for dialogue with Iran

The United States is looking for opportunities for "face-to-face" dialogue with Iran after nearly three decades without diplomatic ties, President Barack Obama said Monday, but still has "deep concerns" about Tehran’s actions. “There’s been a lot of mistrust built up over the years, so it’s not going to happen overnight,” Obama said during his first prime-time news conference Monday night.

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