All About: Aung San Suu Kyi, Kurdish YPG militia, Pope Francis, 'No-deal' Brexit

Pope Francis has ordered an investigation of an American bishop accused of sexual misconduct with adults and accepted his resignation, deepening a worldwide clerical abuse scandal.

Suu Kyi defense of jailing of Reuters journalists 'unbelievable': Haley

Myanmar leader Aung San Suu Kyi said on Thursday the jailing of two Reuters journalists had nothing to do with freedom of expression and that they can appeal against their seven-year sentences, prompting a sharp rebuke from the United States. Suu Kyi, in her first public comment on the case since the two, Wa Lone, 32, and Kyaw Soe Oo, 28, were convicted last week, referred to the colonial-era law under which they were charged.

Kurdish YPG militia may aid Syrian government in Idlib operation: Turkish foreign minister

Turkey's foreign minister said in a letter to New York Times editors published on Thursday that the Kurdish YPG militia may aid the Syrian government in an attack against Idlib, the last major rebel-held area in Syria. Both the United States and Turkey, which are opposed to Syrian President Bashar al-Assad's government, have warned that an attack on Idlib by the Syrian government, backed by Russia and Iran, could further destabilize the region and harm civilians. Syrian President Bashar al-Assad has vowed to recover "every inch" of Syria.

Pope orders inquiry into bishop as U.S. Church leaders discuss abuse crisis

Pope Francis has ordered an investigation of an American bishop accused of sexual misconduct with adults and accepted his resignation, deepening a worldwide clerical abuse scandal. The Vatican and U.S. Church officials announced the investigation on Thursday as the pope was meeting U.S. Catholic Church leaders to discuss a scandal that has shaken his papacy.

U.S., Cuba officials discuss mysterious embassy health incidents

U.S. and Cuban officials met at the State Department on Thursday to discuss the mysterious health problems that have affected more than two dozen American Embassy personnel, a situation that led to a reduction in staffing at the Havana mission and a chill in ties between the nations. "There's a briefing taking place between some of our colleagues from our various bureaus. They are having meetings with the Cuban government to discuss some of the medical issues that our people have experienced," State Department spokeswoman Heather Nauert told a briefing.

U.S. expects some Israeli criticism of parts of coming Mideast plan: envoy

The Trump administration is prepared for Israeli criticism of elements of its coming Middle East peace plan, the U.S. envoy to the region said, even as Washington faces growing Palestinian accusations that it will be heavily tilted in favor of Israel. In an interview with Reuters, Jason Greenblatt, a chief architect of the long-awaited peace initiative, said U.S. negotiators had entered the "pre-launch phase" of the plan, despite a boycott by Palestinian leaders.

'No-deal' Brexit would complicate driving, data and roaming, UK says

Leaving the European Union without a divorce deal could increase Britons' mobile phone roaming charges, upset data sharing and force motorists to get an international license to drive in Europe, the government said on Thursday. Recent signals from Brussels have buoyed hopes that the United Kingdom and the EU can agree and approve a proper divorce agreement before the UK leaves on March 29, though the sides are still divided on about one-fifth of the detail of a deal.

U.S. approves possible military sales worth $2.6 billion to South Korea

The U.S. State Department has approved possible military sales worth $2.6 billion to South Korea, including six P-8A Poseidon maritime reconnaissance aircraft and 64 Patriot anti-ballistic missile weapons, the Pentagon said on Thursday. The Boeing-made Poseidon aircraft, which are used for hunting submarines and conducting maritime reconnaissance, is worth up to $2.1 billion, the Pentagon's Defense Security Cooperation Agency (DSCA) said.

Anti-Kremlin Pussy Riot activist seriously ill in hospital: colleagues

Prominent anti-Kremlin activist Pyotr Verzilov is seriously ill and in hospital, members of the Pussy Riot protest band with whom he collaborated said late on Wednesday, suggesting he may have been poisoned. Verzilov, 30, staged a brief pitch invasion during the soccer World Cup final in Moscow in July along with three women affiliated to the anti-Kremlin punk band and is the publisher of Mediazona, a Russian online news outlet which focuses on human rights violations inside Russia's penal system.

U.S. accuses Russia of covering up breaches of North Korea sanctions

U.S. Ambassador to the United Nations Nikki Haley accused Russia on Thursday of seeking to cover up breaches of U.N. sanctions on North Korea by Russians after Moscow pushed for changes to be made to an independent report on sanctions violations. The report, submitted to the U.N. Security Council North Korea sanctions committee last month, said Pyongyang has not stopped its nuclear and missile programs and is violating U.N. sanctions on exports.

Chilean police raid more offices in church sex abuse investigation

Chilean prosecutors and police launched raids on the offices of four bishoprics on Thursday as they continued an investigation into cases of sexual abuse of minors by members of the Roman Catholic Church, the lead prosecutor's spokesman said. Chilean prosecutor Emiliano Arias ordered the simultaneous raids in the coastal city of Valparaiso and the southern cities of Concepcion, Chillan, and Osorno.