Powers and Iran fail to end nuclear deadlock in Almaty

World powers and Iran failed again to end the deadlock in a decade-old dispute over Tehran's nuclear program in talks that ended in Kazakhstan on Saturday, prolonging a standoff that could yet spiral into a new Middle East war.
No new talks were scheduled but big power negotiators, who earlier this year were insisting that time was running out, were at pains to say the diplomatic process would continue. full article: http://news.yahoo.com/no-deal-sight-final-day-iran-nuclear-talks-070017525.html

'Abbas calls on Netanyahu to draw two-state map'

Palestinian Authority President Mahmoud Abbas has demanded a map for a future Palestinian state before the resumption of any peace talks, Palestinian news agency Ma'an quoted an aide as saying on Friday.

Abbas "wants to know, through a map to be presented by Binyamin Netanyahu to [US Secretary of State John] Kerry, what the prime minister's view of a two-state solution would be, especially the borders," Ma'an quoted political adviser Nimr Hammad as saying. full article: http://www.jpost.com/Middle-East/Abbas-calls-on-Netanyahu-to-draw-two-state-map-308855

North Korea tells Brit diplomats to get out — then sets chilling April 10 deadline

Crackpot Kim Jong-un’s regime today issued a chilling threat to British diplomats warning them to get out of Pyongyang.
Alarmingly the North Korean government said it would not be able to guarantee the safety of embassies from April 10.
Russian diplomats have also been advised to evacuate. full article: http://www.thesun.co.uk/sol/homepage/news/4874435/north-korea-moves-second-missile-to-east-coast.html 

Military buildup in China near North Korean border continues as tanks, armored vehicles spotted

China continued moving tanks and armored vehicles and flying flights near North Korea this week as part of a military buildup in the northeastern part of the country that U.S. officials say is related to the crisis with North Korea. full article: http://freebeacon.com/risky-business/

North Korea blocks South workers from Kaesong zone

North Korea has stopped South Koreans from crossing the border to work at the jointly run Kaesong industrial zone, for the first time since 2009. full article:  http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-asia-22011207

US: Restarting NKorea reactor would be 'alarming'

The U.S. called for North Korea to abandon its nuclear ambitions on Tuesday and said it would be "extremely alarming" if Pyongyang follows through on a vow to restart its plutonium reactor.

The White House and the State Department said they were taking seriously an almost daily string of threats from North Korea toward the U.S. and South Korea, ratcheted up a notch Tuesday when the North said it would revive its long-dormant reactor and ramp up production of nuclear weapons material. read full article: http://news.yahoo.com/us-restarting-nkorea-reactor-alarming-170611821.html

Historic Damascus synagogue looted and burned

Rebels, Assad forces trade blame for destruction of ancient synagogue built atop a cave used by prophet Elijah. Jobar synagogue in Damascus. Photo: YouTube Screenshot The 2,000-year-old Jobar Synagogue in the Syrian capital of Damascus was looted and burned to the ground.