MOSCOW (AFP) - An attempted hijacking of a plane coming from the Caucasus was foiled on Thursday at Moscow's Domodedovo airport, Russian news agencies quoted an airport official as saying.

WASHINGTON (AFP) - The body of a second US sailor who had gone missing in Afghanistan has been recovered, a US military official told AFP on Thursday.

PARIS (AFP) - French police questioned a cabinet minister for eight hours on Thursday as they probed claims France's richest woman bankrolled President Nicolas Sarkozy's election campaign, officials said.

JERUSALEM (AFP) - Israel's premier said on Thursday he is ready to start direct Middle East talks within days after Arab officials agreed to such negotiations but left the timing up to the Palestinians.

BAGHDAD (AFP) - At least 16 people were killed, including nine members of Iraq's security forces, and 14 wounded in a string of attacks in Al-Adhamiya district of Baghdad on Thursday, the interior ministry said.