Putin, on living standards drive, tells Russians economy set for growth
MOSCOW (Reuters) – Vladimir Putin, on a drive to boost living standards at the start of a new presidential term, tried to reassure Russians about their economy on Thursday in a live TV question-and-answer marathon.
As Kim arrives in Singapore, no North Korean comrades in sight
SINGAPORE (Reuters) – Stella Choi, the principal of a Korean language school in a drab tower in downtown Singapore, works just across the elevator lobby from the modest suites that make up North Korea’s embassy.
Ukraine passes corruption law in bid for more IMF aid
KIEV (Reuters) – Ukraine’s parliament passed a law on Thursday to create a special court to try corruption cases, a key step for the government to secure more Western aid needed to tame a rising sovereign debt burden.
New Jordan prime minister starts talks on building cabinet amid protests
AMMAN (Reuters) – Jordan’s new Prime Minister Omar al-Razzaz started talks with lawmakers on Thursday aiming to build a cabinet to tackle the debt-ridden country’s economic challenges and calm the biggest protests in years.
France hangs up: new bill would ban cell phones at school
PARIS (Reuters) – France’s phone-addicted children will be obliged to do without their mobile devices at school under a bill the education minister on Thursday called a “detox measure” to combat classroom distraction and bullying.
Italy’s 5-Star leader says government will not raise sales tax
ROME (Reuters) – The newly installed Italian government will not raise sales taxes, Italy’s deputy prime minister and head of the 5-Star Movement, Luigi Di Maio, said on Thursday.
Afghanistan announces ceasefire with Taliban, until June 20
KABUL (Reuters) – Afghan President Ashraf Ghani for the first time announced an unconditional ceasefire with the Taliban on Thursday, coinciding with the end of the Muslim fasting month, but excluded other militant groups such as Islamic State.
U.S. says diplomats in China hit by mystery illness
WASHINGTON/GUANGZHOU, China (Reuters) – The U.S. State Department has brought a group of diplomats home from Guangzhou, China, over concern they were suffering from a mysterious malady that resembles a brain injury and has already affected U.S. personn…
Taiwan urges courage, defiance of China’s ‘bullying’ over web references
TAIPEI (Reuters) – Taiwan hopes countries around the world can show courage in the face of pressure from China on their companies to list the self-ruled island as part of China on their websites, Taiwan’s foreign ministry said on Thursday.
Afghanistan announces unconditional ceasefire with Taliban after peace meeting
KABUL (Reuters) – Afghan President Ashraf Ghani on Thursday announced an unconditional ceasefire with the Taliban until June 20, coinciding with the end of the Muslim fasting season, but excluded all other militant groups, such as Islamic State.
