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Rebels acknowledge having BUK missile

Russia calls on US to prove fire from rebel-held territory downed aircraft

Australia prepares tosend 50 police to ukraine

Australia has sent 50 police to London in anticipation of deploying them to Ukraine to secure the Malaysian plane crash site as part of a potential UN team that's under consideration, the Australian prime minister said on Thursday.

UN urges effort to boost flagging development

Governments must act together to lift more people out of poverty and reduce inequality, a United Nations agency said on Thursday, warning that global improvement in life expectancy, education and other measures of development is flagging.

Cuba looks to replenish mangroves

Many people in this tiny hamlet on the southern coast of Cuba remember when the shore lay about 100 meters farther out. That was four decades ago.

Czech convicts fix bikes for African pupils

In a jumble of bicycle frames, six burly men in drab gray overalls tinker with blue, purple and pink children's bikes, checking brakes and gears to make sure all will be in order for their future owners in Africa.

Kerry cites 'progress' in Gaza truce talks

US lifts flight ban over Tel Aviv, but Palestinian death toll passes 730

Israel: cease-fire not imminent

An Israeli Cabinet minister said on Thursday that a pullout of troops from Gaza was not imminent and that Israel's army would continue hunting Palestinian cross-border tunnels under any humanitarian truce.

Iraqi militants attack prisoner convoy; 60 killed in gunbattle

Gunmen attacked a prisoner convoy north of Baghdad on Thursday, setting off a gunbattle with troops in which scores of prisoners and eight soldiers were killed, brutally underscoring Iraq's instability as lawmakers convened to elect a new president.

Kurd official named leader

Iraq's Parliament elected on Thursday veteran Kurdish politician Fuad Masum as federal president, a move that paves the way for the much-delayed formation of a new government.

Suicide bombs in Nigeria's Kaduna kill 82; ex-leader Buhari targeted

At least 82 people were killed on Wednesday in two suicide bombings in the north Nigerian city of Kaduna, one aimed at opposition leader and ex-president Muhammadu Buhari and another at a moderate Muslim cleric about to lead a crowd in prayer.

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