KABUL (Reuters) – Afghan and NATO-led forces killed 18 insurgents overnight as dozens of Taliban prepared to attack the capital of the southern province of Helmand for the second time in three days, police said on Wednesday.

BEIJING (Reuters) – Pakistani President Asif Ali Zardari reached trade deals with China on Wednesday, raising hopes that Beijing would help his country through difficult economic and diplomatic times.

BRUSSELS (Reuters) – Russia has walked out of negotiations being held in Geneva on two breakaway Georgian regions, Georgia’s President Mikheil Saakashvili said on Wednesday.