Explosive message
Police search the wreckage of a booby-trapped car that exploded outside the Bank of Greece on Thursday in Athens, as Greece is set to return to the debt markets after a four-year absence. No one was injured in the blast. Two local media outlets had been informed of the planned attack by telephone one hour before the explosion. Photo: AFP
William and Kate go walkabout during New Zealand visit
Britain’s Prince William and wife Kate honored New Zealand’s war dead at a somber ceremony Thursday, then delighted the crowds when they went walkabout in the small South Island town of Blenheim.
Russian MPs want Gorbachev probed
A group of Russian MPs have formally requested prosecutors investigate former Soviet leader Mikhail Gorbachev for treason over the breakup of the Soviet Union, one lawmaker said Thursday.
Italy sees gay marriage
An Italian court on Wednesday recognized a gay couple as married for the first time in Italy, which does not have any form of official acknowledgement of same-sex unions.
Decision on Crimea based on public opinion: Putin
Russian President Vladimir Putin said Thursday that the decision to take Crimea was made following a thorough study of public sentiments in that peninsula.
Greece successfully returns to intl bond markets after 4 years
Greece successfully returned to international bond markets after a four year absence due to the debt crisis, selling 3 billion euro ($4.15 billion) worth five-year bonds at 4.75 percent interest, the Greek Finance Ministry announced on Thursday.
Turkey launches mass legal inquiries on illegal eavesdropping
Turkey's authorities are investigating more than 180 legal inquiries into allegations involving illegal eavesdropping and the unauthorized access and examination of personal information, local station NTV reported Thursday.
Car bomb explodes outside Greek central bank, no injuries reported
A car bomb exploded outside the the Greek Central Bank in central Athens early Thursday, police said. No injuries have been reported.
Senior US diplomat plays down expectations of four-way talks on Ukraine
The United States does not have high expectations for a planned meeting with Russia, Ukraine and the European Union on the crisis of Ukraine, a senior State Department official said on Wednesday.
US sends one more Navy destroyer to Black Sea amid the Ukraine crisis
The US Navy destroyer USDonald Cook, the second American military ship to be deployed in the Black Sea amid the Ukraine crisis, is scheduled to arrive in the designated waters Thursday, said a Pentagon spokesman Wednesday.