Egypt, Sudan, Ethiopia kick off US, World Bank-sponsored GERD talks: Negotiations over the Grand Ethiopian Renaissance Dam (GERD) resumed yesterday after the irrigation ministers of Egypt, Sudan, and Ethiopia began the first round of technical talks agreed earlier this month with the US and the World Bank, the Irrigation Ministry . US and World Bank representatives were both present at the meeting, during which the sides are trying to reach an agreement on the timetable for filling and operating the dam. The meeting was the first of four rounds of talks, the second of which will take place in Cairo on 2 and 3 December. Two subsequent meetings will then be held in Washington D.C. on 9 December and 13 January. The three countries agreed on 6 November to set a deadline of 15 January by which to reach an agreement. If there is still no agreement by this date, other countries will be asked to step in and formally mediate the dispute.