TEL AVIV (AFP) - US Vice President Joe Biden said Thursday he "appreciates" Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu's response to a row caused by the announcement of plans for settlement expansion in east Jerusalem.

ATHENS (AFP) - Greek police clashed with protesters Thursday during a demonstration against government austerity measures as the country was gripped by the second general strike in two weeks, an AFP reporter said.

KIEV (AFP) - The Ukrainian parliament Thursday approved the appointment of Mykola Azarov, an ex-finance minister and top ally of President Viktor Yanukovych, as the country's new prime minister.

JERUSALEM (AFP) - The crisis with key ally the United States over settlement expansion in east Jerusalem has ended, the office of Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said on Thursday.

FRANKFURT (AFP) - German luxury car maker BMW reported on Thursday a 36.4 percent drop in 2009 net profit to 210 million euros (287 million dollars).