world news

Finnish FM: North, South Korean envoys in talks in Finland

HELSINKI –  Finland's foreign minister says representatives from North and South Korea are holding diplomatic talks in the Nordic country and describes Finland's role as a "facilitator." Foreign Minister Timo Soini told the Finnish news agency STT on Monday that…

After huge win, will Putin try to stay in power for life?

MOSCOW –  Now that President Vladimir Putin has overwhelmingly won re-election for another six years, some are wondering whether he will try to stay in power in Russia for life. Chinese leader Xi Jinping recently managed it, scrapping term limits…

French ambassador to Poland thanks climber who rescued woman

WARSAW, Poland –  France's ambassador to Poland has greeted a group of returning Polish climbers, one of whom helped rescue a French woman in the Himalayas. The climbers returned Monday to Warsaw's airport from a three-month expedition during which they…

Canada announces peacekeeping mission in Mali

TORONTO –  Canada has announced a peacekeeping effort in the West African country of Mali that includes six helicopters and some support troops. Foreign Minister Chrystia Freeland said Monday the deployment will be 12 months. The mission will include two…

Greek court convicts Syrian man of Islamic State membership

THESSALONIKI, Greece –  A court in northern Greece has convicted a Syrian refugee of having been a fighter with the Islamic State group in Syria, and sentenced him to eight years' imprisonment. The Komotini court acquitted the man Monday of…

German soccer club's ex-coach suggests attack sped up exit

BERLIN –  Borussia Dortmund's ex-coach Thomas Tuchel has testified at the trial of a man accused of bombing the German soccer club's bus that the attack was partly responsible for his departure. Defender Marc Bartra and a police officer were…

Slovaks want joint team with Italy in slain journalist case

BRATISLAVA, Slovakia –  Slovakia's prosecutor general has asked Italian authorities to create a joint investigative team with their Slovak counterparts in the case of the slaying of a journalist and his fiancee that triggered a serious political crisis. Jaromir Ciznar…

UN mission on Lebanon-Israel border marks 40th anniversary

NAQOURA, Lebanon –  The head of U.N. peacekeepers in Lebanon is praising their contribution to peace efforts as the force marks 40 years since its establishment on the frontier with neighboring Israel. Maj. Gen. Michael Beary, commander of the force…

Egypt, Sudan vow to cooperate as Ethiopia builds Nile dam

CAIRO –  Sudan's President Omar al-Bashir has met his Egyptian counterpart in Cairo, as the two countries look to repair ties that were recently frayed over an upstream Nile dam being built by Ethiopia. At a joint press conference Monday,…

UK police: No forced entry in Russian businessman death

LONDON –  British police say no sign of forced entry has been found at the home where a London-based Russian businessman died from a neck compression. Metropolitan Police Commander Clarke Jarrett said Monday the forensic investigation into the death of…

Pope Francis condemns prostitution as torture

ROME –  Pope Francis has asked forgiveness for all Christians who buy sex from women, saying that men who frequent prostitutes are criminals with a "sick mentality" who think that women exist to be exploited. He insisted Monday: "This isn't…

Germany rejects idea of sanctions on Schroeder over Russia

BERLIN –  Germany's government is rejecting the idea that former Chancellor Gerhard Schroeder should face sanctions over his links to Russian business and to President Vladimir Putin. Schroeder was close to Putin as chancellor and became involved with a Russian-German…

Bolivia takes sea access dispute with Chile to world court

THE HAGUE, Netherlands –  Land-locked Bolivia is calling on the International Court of Justice to order Chile to enter negotiations over granting Bolivia access to the Pacific Ocean. Bolivia lost its only seacoast to Chile in a war from 1879…

Trump candidate for UN migration agency: Judge my actions

GENEVA –  U.S. President Donald Trump's nominee to head the U.N. migration agency acknowledges a controversy over his social media posts about Muslims and other topics, but insists "retweets are not endorsements" and says he wants to be judged on…

Iran sentences Sufi to death over killing of 3 policemen

TEHRAN, Iran –  Iran has sentenced to death a supporter of a Sufi leader who rammed a bus into a group of policemen last month, killing three, before being arrested. The incident in Tehran took place during February clashes between…

Afghan officials: Bombs attached to motorbikes kill 4 people

KABUL, Afghanistan –  Afghan officials say bombs attached to motorcycles have killed four people in separate attacks. One struck outside a sports stadium in eastern Nangarhar province, killing three on Monday. Akramuddin, a provincial police official, says the explosion occurred…

S.Korea prosecutors seek arrest warrant for ex-President Lee

SEOUL, South Korea –  South Korean prosecutors say they have requested an arrest warrant for former President Lee Myung-bak over corruption allegations. Lee, a conservative who ruled from 2008 to 2013, is the latest South Korean leader to be entangled…