World Briefs

Iran nuke talks

Geneva, Nov. 10: Marathon talks between major powers and Iran failed on Sunday to produce a deal to freeze its nuclear programme, puncturing days of feverish anticipation.

Emerging from a last-ditch bargaining session that began Saturday and stretched past midnight, the European Union's foreign policy chief, Catherine Ashton, and Iran's foreign minister, Mohammad Javad Zarif, said they had failed to overcome differences. They insisted they had made progress, however, and pledged to return to the table in 10 days to try again, albeit at a lower level.

Colombo quiz

Colombo (PTI): Sri Lankan immigration authorities briefly detained an Australian senator and an MP from New Zealand on Sunday for alleged visa abuse after the duo reportedly visited the Tamil-dominated northern part of the country.

Leigh Rhiannon of Australia and Jan Logie of New Zealand were quizzed for being involved in media related activities after having arrived here on tourist visas, said Chulananda Perera, the chief of immigration.