BEIRUT – More than 20 international aid organizations have sharply criticized the United Nations Security Council, saying it has failed to implement three resolutions passed last year seeking to boost humanitarian assistance to Syrian civilians. The 21 aid groups say the resolutions have been “ignored or undermined by the parties …

LONDON – Britain’s independent police watchdog says it is looking into allegations that Scotland Yard covered up historic allegations of child abuse from the 1970s to the 2000s. The Independent Police Complaints Commission said Monday it is investigating 14 referrals, including claims that the force suppressed evidence and hindered or …

VATICAN CITY – A Holocaust-denying Catholic bishop who made headlines in 2009 when Pope Benedict XVI rehabilitated him and members of his breakaway traditionalist society is heading for new trouble with the Vatican. Bishop Richard Williamson is planning to consecrate a new bishop Thursday in Brazil without Pope Francis’ consent …

And now the most compelling two minutes in television, the latest from the wartime grapevine: FOX Fans: Missed the Grapevine? Watch it in the Screening Room! Iraqi IntelligenceThe British Arab newspaper Al-Sharq Al-Awsat says former Iraqi Information MinisterMohammed Saeed Al-Sahhaf (search)– dubbed “Baghdad Bob” and “the Iraqi Misinformation Minister” — …

KABUL, Afghanistan – An official says gunmen in eastern Afghanistan have opened fire on highway, killing at least 13 people in passing vehicles. Attahullah Khogyani, a spokesman for the provincial governor of Wardak province, said Tuesday that the gunmen shot at three vehicles, including a bus from Kabul to heading …

PRAGUE – The Czech government says two Czech tourists who were abducted by gunmen two years ago as they were traveling on a bus through southwestern Pakistan have been released. Government spokesman Martin Ayer says the two women arrived in the Czech Republic Saturday morning. Ayer says a Turkish humanitarian …

ROME – Italy has beefed up security at “sensitive targets” after the attack on the French satirical newspaper Charlie Hebdo, citing the presence of the Vatican and Italy’s participation in anti-terrorism coalitions. Interior Minister Angelino Alfano said Wednesday there were no concrete threats about any possible attacks here, according to …

BEIRUT – Lebanese forces transferred detainees Monday from a notorious jail block where militant Islamists were being held after an investigation suggested that a recent suicide bombing was directed from the facility, the interior minister said. The clearing of Block B of the Roumieh prison came after years of warnings …

TEGUCIGALPA, Honduras – U.N. Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon on Wednesday began a two-day fact-finding mission in Honduras on efforts to reduce violence in the world’s deadliest country. Honduran Communications Minister Hilda Hernandez said Ban will learn details of the Alliance for Prosperity Plan, which was launched in November by Honduras, Guatemala …

VIENNA – Austrian police say they have arrested a suspected gang leader who Russian authorities suspect was involved in the killing of at least six people. Police said Monday the 44-year old was arrested in Vienna on the weekend and is awaiting extradition to Russia. Russia’s RIA Novosti news agency …