Elsewhere, more bribe-taking revelations emerge from Prague spy affair; Hungary pushes for next NATO chief to come from CEE; and Poland prepares for local elections on Sunday. On Saturday, Slovakia will elect its new head of state. Either former diplomat Ivan Korcok or Speaker of Parliament Peter Pellegrini, leader of …

The United States, Britain and France on Wednesday opposed a Russian-drafted U.N. Security Council statement that would have condemned an attack on Iran’s embassy compound in Syria, which Tehran has blamed on Washington’s ally Israel. Press statements by the 15-member council have to be agreed by consensus. Diplomats said the …

Iran’s state media said security forces were able to release hostages taken by gunmen Thursday following clashes in three separate areas in southeastern Iran that left 18 militants and 10 troops dead. The fighting erupted overnight in Sistan and Baluchistan province when gunmen opened fire on Revolutionary Guard posts in …