WASHINGTON — The White House insisted Thursday it must use every tool to protect Americans against terrorism, after revelations about a vast spy agency sweep of domestic phone records sparked a political backlash. A civil liberties group branded the program, authorized by a top secret...

Some 200 Russian Islamists who back North Caucasus insurgents are fighting in Syria for Al-Qaeda, the head of the Russian security service (FSB) said Thursday, Russian news agencies reported.   "The fact that around 200 fighters from Russia are fighting on the side of the Caucasus...

MOSCOW — Russian President Vladimir Putin and his wife Lyudmila on Thursday announced they have divorced after three decades of marriage, in a joint interview with state television after watching a ballet performance. "It was a joint decision," Putin said during the interview with...

The capture by Syrian pro-government forces of the strategic Qusayr region is a major victory for President Bashar al-Assad, who is now better placed than ever if a US-Russian plan for peace talks materialises. The nearly three-week battle for Qusayr in central Syria exposed the central role...