World

PARIS – French President Francois Hollande’s office says he spoke by telephone with Iran’s president and urged progress toward a “lasting, robust and verifiable” deal ensuring that Iran does not have access to nuclear weapons. Hollande’s office said in a statement that the two talked Thursday, at Iranian President Hassan …

BEIRUT – Syria’s main opposition and rebel factions in the northern city of Aleppo have rejected a proposal by the U.N. envoy to freeze fighting in parts of the city. Despite the rejection, U.N. spokesman Stephane Dujarric said on Monday the U.N. will continue to pursue a peaceful solution for …

ANKARA, Turkey – Turkey’s military says a fighter jet has crashed during a training mission, killing its two pilots. A military statement said the F-4E 2020 Phantom went down on Thursday in the province of Konya. The cause of the crash was not immediately known. Turkey and Azerbaijan were holding …

TEL AVIV, Israel – Tens of thousands of Israelis are gathering at a Tel Aviv square under the banner “Israel wants change” and calling for Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu to be replaced in March 17 national elections. Saturday night’s rally at Rabin Square is the highest profile demonstration yet in …

JOHANNESBURG – South Africa’s state broadcaster says armed men robbed one of its news teams in a Johannesburg street and were caught in the act on a news camera. Broadcaster SABC says the robbery happened Tuesday night when journalist Vuyo Mvoko was about to go on air outside a hospital …

WARSAW, Poland – Polish police say two nights of rioting near Warsaw over the death of a teenager stopped by the police has left eight people hurt and 21 detained. Hundreds of people turned out Sunday and Monday evening in front of the police station in the town of Legionowo …

LONDON – British police say they have arrested a 21-year-old woman arriving from Istanbul on suspicion of preparing terrorist acts. The Metropolitan Police said the British woman was arrested Thursday morning at Luton airport. She was being questioned at a London police station. On Tuesday Turkish authorities arrested a 21-year-old …

TORONTO – Canada’s prime minister will talk about his plan to extend and expand Canada’s military mission against the Islamic State group at a meeting with NATO’s secretary general. A senior government official said Sunday that Prime Minister Stephen Harper will make clear Canada’s continued commitment when he meets Monday …

BUENOS AIRES, Argentina – Argentina’s minister of economy is criticizing Citibank’s agreement with a New York court that will allow the bank to process bond payments for the South American country while it exits the custodial business. Economy Minister Axel Kicillof on Wednesday characterized the move as “a scam” that …

GEORGETOWN, Guyana – Guyana’s president says India has pledged $60 million to help the South American country buy a large ferry and build a four-lane highway. President Donald Ramotar says the highway is to connect Guyana’s main international airport to a large highway near the capital of Georgetown that runs …