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.

CAIRO (AFP) - Arab officials agreed on Thursday to the holding of direct Middle East peace negotiations and left it up to Palestinian president Mahmud Abbas to decide when to start talks with Israel, the Qatari foreign minister said.