Egyptian minister survives car bombing
CAIRO — A “large” explosive targeted the convoy of Egypt’s interior minister Thursday in Cairo’s eastern Nasr City district, the first attack on a senior government official since a coup toppled the country’s Islamist president two months ago.
The minister, Mohammed Ibrahim, survived the attack, which damaged the convoy’s cars and injured at least eight people, including two policemen and a child seriously. There were no fatalities.
Clearly shaken but unscathed, Ibrahim spoke on state television two hours after the late morning attack. He said his car, a black SUV, was directly hit by a “large-size explosive device” that badly damaged it along with four other vehicles in the convoy.
Iran confirms change in nuclear talks plans
TEHRAN, Iran – Iran’s president confirmed Thursday that the foreign ministry will lead nuclear talks with world powers in a shift away from security officials setting Tehran’s strategies for the critical negotiations.
The report on the website of President Hasan Rouhani’s office gave the official stamp on a policy change first indicated last month after Rouhani’s inauguration.
Foreign Minister Javad Zarif, a Western-educated diplomat, said members of Iran’s nuclear negotiating team have been selected, according to Tasnim, an Iranian news website.
Associated Press
