Syria and Jordan begin talks on opening vital border crossing
Jordan and Syria held their first technical talks on opening a major border crossing in southern Syria that was recaptured from the opposition last July, a Jordanian official source said on Thursday.
Russians in UK spy case say they wanted to see cathedral; Britain calls it ‘lies’
Two Russians resembling men Britain accuses of jetting to England to try to murder a former spy said on Thursday that they were innocent tourists who had flown to London for fun and visited the city of Salisbury to see its cathedral.
Pope orders investigation of bishop as U.S. Church leaders meet on abuse crisis
Pope Francis has ordered an investigation of an American bishop accused of sexual misconduct with adults and accepted his resignation, the Vatican and U.S. Church officials said on Thursday.
Tourists injured after rockfall at pristine beach in Greece’s Zakynthos
At least seven people were injured in Greece on Thursday in a rockfall at the popular Navagio beach in the island of Zakynthos, Greek authorities said.
Czech PM says he stands behind Hungary after EU parliament vote
The Czech government stands behind Hungary’s Prime Minister Viktor Orban after a European Parliament vote to sanction the country for flouting EU rules, Czech Prime Minister Andrej Babis said on Thursday.
U.N. shares GPS coordinates of hospitals, schools in Idlib with major powers
The United Nations has shared the GPS coordinates of 235 protected sites in the Syrian province of Idlib, including schools and hospitals, with the Russia, Turkey and U.S.-led coalition amid fears of an all-out military assault, a senior U.N. aid offic…
Malaysian police question those paid out of $972 million in Najib’s account
Malaysian police investigating a scandal at state fund 1MDB are questioning more than 50 individuals who received payments from a sum of $972 million that entered the personal bank account of former prime minister Najib Razak, an official said on Thur…
Ukrainian minister under investigation over cash pile, BMW
Ukraine’s infrastructure minister, who shepherded the entry of low-cost carrier Ryanair into the country this year, is under investigation by anti-corruption detectives on suspicion of illegal enrichment, national investigators said.
Guptas cannot cross-examine witnesses at inquiry unless they testify: South African judge
The judge leading an inquiry into claims of influence-peddling against former South African president Jacob Zuma rejected an application by Gupta brothers to cross-examine witnesses, saying they could only do so if they testified.
Russians accused by UK in spy case: We were in Salisbury for tourism
Two Russians appeared on state television on Thursday, saying they had been wrongly accused by Britain of trying to murder a former Russian spy and his daughter in England and had been visiting Salisbury in March for tourism.
