From Washington,this is VOA News.

Iran and six world powers have agreed on how to implement an interim nuclear agreement. The deal will take effect January 20th. It eases some financial sanctions in exchange for Iran rolling back parts of its nuclear program, ahead of talks on a more comprehensive agreement.

VOA's Scott Stearns reports.

Under this interim accord, Iran agrees to limit its uranium enrichment to five percent, which is the grade commonly used to power nuclear reactors. That's a big drop from Iran's current production of 20 percent enriched uranium, which is only a technical step away from weapons-grade use.
 
U.S. Secretary of State John Kerry helped negotiate this accord in November. He told reporters in the French capital Sunday that getting this joint plan of action under way is an important first step.
 
"Iran's nuclear program will not be able to advance. In fact, parts of it will be rolled back while we start negotiating a comprehensive agreement to address the international community's concerns about Iran's nuclear program,"
 
Scott Stearns VOA News Paris.

U.S. Secretary of State John Kerry says he is confident the Syrian opposition will attend this month's peace talks in Geneva.

Following a foreign ministers meeting in Paris Sunday,Kerry said that coming to the talks would be a test of credibility for all parties.

"We believe that it is possible for the regime to put in place before Geneva a ceasefire – local ceasefires if necessary – a ceasefire with respect to Aleppo, and send the signal that they are prepared to set a different mood, a different climate, a different stage for the possibility of success in Geneva. They have the power to do that. And the opposition has pledged that if they will do that, the opposition will live by it."

The Western-backed Syrian National Coalition says it will decide by the end of the week whether or not to attend the January 22 talks.

Iraqi officials say two car bomb blasts targeting Sunday morning commuters in Baghdad, along with clashes between security forces and militants, have left 18 civilians dead.

The deadliest attack Sunday occurred at a busy bus station in central Baghdad for a car bomb killed at least nine people and wounded 16 more.

In another development, Prime Minister Nouri al-Maliki promised there would be no military assault on Fallujah in order to spare the Anbar Province city more harm, saying Sunni Muslim tribesmen would be given more time to expel al-Qaida-linked fighters.

A state memorial for former Isreali prime minister Ariel Sharon is planned later today.

Iseali and world leaders will attend. U.S. Vice President Joe Biden will lead the American delegation to pay respects.

The memorial is followed by a private burial at Mr. Sharon's ranch in the Negev desert.

Mr. Sharon died Saturday at the age of 85 following complications from a massive stroke eight years ago.

Around 10,000 South Sudanese refugees have fled north into Sudan, as hundred of thousands remain displaced in the nearly month-long conflict.

The crisis in South Sudan started after President Salva Kiir dismissed Vice President Riek Machar.

Mr. Kiir accused Machar of trying to overthrow the government.

Negotiators meanwhile continue to press the two sides to agree to a cease-fire at peace talk being held in Ethiopia.

Thailand's Prime Minister Yingluck Shinawatra is calling on security forces to show restraint as anti-government protesters converge on Bangkok. The demonstrations aimed at forcing the prime minister from office and delaying elections set for February 2.

Ron Corben has more.

Demonstrators began occupying key intersections in downtown Bangkok before sunset on Sunday, bringing in sandbags, tents and food in preparation for a prolonged standoff.

Prime Minister Yingluck has called on security forces to avoid confrontations with the protesters and police are expected to allow them to shut down key roads in the city of 10 million people.

Thai Foreign Minister and a deputy government leader, Surapong Tovichakchaikul, told a news conference Sunday that the prime minister wanted security forces to keep the situation calm while trying to limit the impact on business and tourism.

Since demonstrations erupted late last year, at least nine people have died and hundreds have been injured in protest related violence.

Ron Corben VOA News Bangkok,Thailand.