Timothy A. Clary/AFP
Middle East
Iran rejected new U.N. sanctions as illegal and suspended cooperation with nuclear inspectors. Iran has already payed a steep financial price for its defiance, the Washington Post reports. And for now, the country is hanging on to 15 captured British sailors.
Outgoing U.S. ambassador to Iraq Zalmay Khalilzad held talks with insurgent leaders from early 2006. (Whatever the details of the discussions, they haven't helped Baghdad's devastated Sunni neighborhoods.)
Egypt votes today on highly dubious constitutional amendments. U.S. Secretary of State Condi Rice commented, "The process of reform is one that is difficult." Get the grim details here.
2008
Is New York's billionaire mayor running for U.S. president?
Europe
Nicolas Sarkozy resigned as France's interior minister to concentrate on his presidential run, not long after rival Ségolène Royal began attacking him for his job performance. Strangely, Royal thinks now is an auspicious moment to back Turkey's bid to join the EU.
Germany's Angela Merkel marked Europe's 50th birthday party by calling for a new constitutional treaty. Writing for FP, Alan Sked argues that ordinary Europeans see the EU celebrations as "a sick joke" and the constitution as anti-democratic.
Today's the deadline for Northern Ireland's political leaders to agree on a power-sharing formula.
Asia
Hong Kong's newly elected leader is Beijing's man.
China's Hu Jintao is looking for energy love in all the right places. Today, he's in Moscow, where he'll also talk with Russian leaders about Iran.
Just now, Japan's prime minister apologized for his country's use of sex slaves during World War II.
New protests, new arrests in Pakistan as the political crisis continues in that country.
Elsewhere
Venezuela, hoping to double its output, is selling oil bonds to finance new investment. Also, President Hugo Chávez announced new farm seizures.
Sri Lanka's rebel Tamil Tigers flexed their muscle with a bombing raid on the country's international airport.
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