Bloomberg Top US and Russian diplomats agreed to keep talking even as they acknowledged a first round of security discussions did little to resolve their differences over Russia’s troop buildup near Ukraine or Moscow’s concern about the possibility that Nato may expand its presence further east. Deputy Foreign Minister Sergei Ryabkov repeated Russia’s insistence it has no plans to ...

  Bloomberg Mali’s military ruler said he’s open to talks with West Africa’s economic bloc about returning the nation to civilian rule and asked the group to reconsider sanctions imposed over his refusal to hold elections next month. While the government regrets the “illegal, illegitimate and inhumane nature of certain decisions, Mali remains open to talks with the Economic Community ...

  Bloomberg Venezuelan President Nicolas Maduro suffered a rare electoral loss when his candidate was defeated in a vote to elect the next governor of Barinas state, the birthplace of Hugo Chavez, who started the so-called socialist revolution. Jorge Arreaza, a former foreign minister and Chavez son-in-law, conceded defeat to little-known opposition candidate Sergio Garrido. The Electoral Council said Garrido ...