Suicide bombing at a Shiite mosque on Islamabad’s outskirts kills at least 31

ISLAMABAD (AP) — Pakistani officials say a suicide bomber targeted a Shiite mosque on the outskirts of Islamabad during Friday prayers, killing 31 people and wounding at least 169 others. It was a rare attack in the capital of Pakistan as its Western-allied government struggles to rein in a surge in militant attacks across the country. Some of the wounded in the attack on the sprawling mosque of Khadija Al-Kubra were reported to be in critical condition. Television footage and social media images showed police and residents transporting the wounded to nearby hospitals. No group immediately claimed responsibility for the attack. Militant groups across Pakistan often target security forces and civilians.

Iran and US hold indirect talks in Oman

MUSCAT, Oman (AP) — Iran and the United States have held indirect talks in Oman. The negotiations, while praised by Iran and Oman, appeared to be a return to the starting point on how to approach discussions over Tehran’s nuclear program after multiple rounds were held last year before Israel launched a 12-day war on Iran. The presence of U.S. Navy Adm. Brad Cooper, the head of the American military’s Central Command, at the talks Friday in Muscat also served as a reminder that the aircraft carrier USS Abraham Lincoln and other warships stood off the coast of Iran in the Arabian Sea. President Donald Trump has threatened to use force to compel Iran into a deal.

A deputy chief of Russia’s military intelligence service is shot and wounded in Moscow

MOSCOW (AP) — Russian authorities say a deputy chief of its military intelligence agency has been shot and wounded. Officials say Lt. Gen. Vladimir Alekseyev was hospitalized after being attacked Friday by an unidentified assailant at an apartment building in Moscow. An Investigative Committee spokesperson did not say who might be behind the attack. Alekseyev has served as the first deputy head of Russia’s military intelligence since 2011. Several top Russian military officers have been killed in attacks that Moscow blamed on Ukraine. The attack came a day after Russian, Ukrainian and U.S. negotiators wrapped up two days of talks in the United Arab Emirates, with the Russian delegation led by Alekseyev’s boss, the chief of military intelligence.

Kremlin says Russia and US agree that quick nuclear arms are talks needed

MOSCOW (AP) — The Kremlin says Russian and U.S. negotiators have discussed the expiration of their last remaining nuclear arms pact. Representatives in Abu Dhabi agreed on the need to quickly launch new arms control talks. The New START treaty terminated Thursday. Without the treaty there are no caps on the two largest atomic arsenals for the first time in decades. The lack of an agreement has fueled fears of an unconstrained nuclear arms race. U.S. President Donald Trump has ignored Moscow’s offer to extend the treaty’s limits and said he wants China to be a part of a new pact. The U.S. on Friday again accused Beijing of covert nuclear tests.