Egyptian general, colonel killed in clash

An Egyptian army brigadier general and a colonel were killed in a raid on Wednesday on a jihadist hideout as security forces close in on militants in the Nile Delta.

Obama to steer Mideast talks

US President Barack Obama pressed Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas on Monday to help break the stalemate in US-brokered peace talks with Israel, saying leaders on both sides must take political risks before an April deadline.

Evidence seen of growth spurt after Big Bang

US researchers say they have spotted evidence that a split-second after the Big Bang, the newly formed universe ballooned out at a pace so astonishing that it left behind ripples in the fabric of the cosmos.

Putin defends Crimea vote, blasts West

President Vladimir Putin on Tuesday fiercely defended Russia's move to annex Crimea, saying the rights of ethnic Russians have been abused by the new Ukrainian government.

Russians in eastern Ukraine want their own voice, Gorbachev says

Former Soviet president Mikhail Gorbachev has added his voice to those suggesting that eastern provinces of Ukraine with majority ethnic-Russian populations should be free to decide on their future status - with the option of joining Russia.

Bangkok lifts state of emergency as unrest wanes

Thailand is lifting a state of emergency in Bangkok, taking a step to restore some confidence as anti-government protests subside, though the crisis has entered a new phase with Prime Minister Yingluck Shinawatra besieged by legal challenges.

IN BRIEF (Page 11)

US first lady's visit expected to boost goodwill

Chinese first lady Peng Liyuan is expected to stroll inside the Forbidden City on Friday with her US counterpart, Michelle Obama, whose upcoming trip will spark new interest in Chinese culture among Americans and further advance people-to-people exchanges between the two countries, observers said.

What they say

Though Max Baucus is not considered a China hand, his strong suit is his extensive experience in trade issues as he played a pivotal role in China's joining the World Trade Organization. And one of his strengths compared with Gary Locke is his relationships on Capitol Hill and among the Washington elite. This will help keep Obama and US policymakers focused on China as they are distracted by myriad domestic and global issues.

Sound bites

"For more than two decades Max Baucus has worked to deepen the relationship between the United States and China. The economic agreements he helped forge have created millions of American jobs and added billions of dollars to our economy, and he's perfectly suited to build on that progress in his new role. "

Terrorism continues in Pakistan despite talks

There has been no letup in terrorist attacks in Pakistan despite the unilateral declaration of a cease-fire by the Pakistani Taliban on March 1.

Drug cartel diversifies its sources of cash

Forget crystal meth. The pseudo-religious Knights Templar drug cartel in western Mexico has diversified to the point that drug trafficking doesn't even rank among its top sources of income.