EUROPE-TERROR

PARIS - France announces sweeping new measures to counter homegrown terrorism Wednesday, including giving security forces better weapons and protection, going on an intelligence agent hiring spree and creating a better database of anyone suspected of extremist links. Four men were handed preliminary charges of providing logistical support to one of the Paris terror attackers - the first charges issued for three days of mayhem. 

RUSSIA-TERRORISM

MOSCOW - Moscow is continuing to cooperate with the West on fighting terrorism despite tensions over Ukraine, Russia's foreign minister says. Sergey Lavrov said that in particular Russian security agencies have maintained contacts with their counterparts in France. 

RUSSIA-UKRAINE

MOSCOW - Russia's foreign minister said Wednesday that talks with his counterparts from Ukraine, France and Germany will focus on pulling back heavy weapons from a redrawn frontline in east Ukraine. Sergey Lavrov, who was set to attend the talks in Berlin later Wednesday, said the withdrawal of artillery should help end a recent escalation of fighting between Ukrainian government forces and Russian-backed separatists. 

INTERNATIONAL COURT-LORD'S RESISTANCE ARMY

THE HAGUE, Netherlands - The International Criminal Court's prosecutor is calling for renewed efforts to arrest notorious militia leader Joseph Kony, after one of his top commanders was taken into custody to face charges of leading a reign of terror in central Africa.

BRITAIN-IRAQ INQUIRY

LONDON - The report of an inquiry into Britain's role in the Iraq war will be delayed until after a national election in May, its chairman said, provoking dismay from politicians of all parties Wednesday. Sir John Chilcot, a former senior civil servant who is heading an inquiry that began in 2009, wrote to Prime Minister David Cameron saying that the report was being delayed because individuals mentioned in it need a chance to respond. 

GERMANY-ANTI-ISLAM PROTESTS

BERLIN - A Catholic priest in Germany has been banned from preaching after speaking at an anti-Islam protest. Father Paul Spaetling had taken part in a PEGIDA rally in the western city of Duisburg on Monday. 

VATICAN-SEX-ABUSE

VATICAN CITY - The Vatican's long-time sex abuse prosecutor has been named to head up a new Vatican board to hear appeals by priests accused of molesting minors. The move is intended to help speed up decisions.