In eastern Ukraine, troops tiptoeing up to front line risk heavy battles
AVDIYIVKA/KIEV (Reuters) – Ukrainian government troops and separatist fighters have drawn closer to each other at several places along the tense front line in eastern Ukraine, monitors say, raising the risk of violent flare-ups that could wreck a shaky…
Shi’ite cleric Sadr says only Iraq’s military should hold land seized from IS
BAGHDAD (Reuters) – Influential Shi’ite Muslim cleric Moqtada al-Sadr said on Friday that only Iraq’s military should hold territory recaptured from Islamic State, an apparent sign of concern that rival militias might use the gains to expand their infl…
Merkel concerned Israeli settlements undermine two-state solution
BERLIN (Reuters) – German Chancellor Angela Merkel said on Friday she was concerned about Israel’s building of settlements in the occupied West Bank, which she said was undermining progress toward a two-state solution for Israel and the Palestinian ter…
Driver who sped through Antwerp shoppers faces terrorism charges
BRUSSELS (Reuters) – A man who sped a car down a pedestrian shopping street in Antwerp has been charged with attempted terrorist murder, Belgium’s federal prosecutors said on Friday.
Greece to support Rome EU declaration, but wants backing on labor reforms
ATHENS (Reuters) – Greece will support a declaration marking the European Union’s 60th birthday but needs the bloc’s backing against International Monetary Fund demands on labor reforms, Greek Prime Minister Alexis Tsipras said ahead of an EU Summit in…
Putin hosts French presidential contender Le Pen in Kremlin
MOSCOW (Reuters) – President Vladimir Putin granted an audience to French far-right party leader Marine Le Pen in the Kremlin on Friday, bestowing a level of international recognition that has so far eluded her in the countdown to France’s presidential…
Hungarian law risks exposing migrant children to sex abuse: watchdog
BUDAPEST (Reuters) – Hungary’s new law to detain migrants in transit zones on its southern border will put children on the move at risk of exposure to sexual abuse, the watchdog Council of Europe said on Friday in a letter to Prime Minister Viktor Orba…
Philippines leader scolds EU for ‘idiotic’ drug rehab solution
(Advisory: This story contains strong language in paragraph one and four)
China says in touch with Philippines about naval visit
BEIJING (Reuters) – China said on Friday it was in touch with the Philippines about the possible visit of a Chinese naval ship to the country.
Mubarak, Egypt’s toppled Pharaoh, is free after final charges dropped
CAIRO (Reuters) – Hosni Mubarak, the Egyptian president overthrown in 2011 and the first leader to face trial after the Arab Spring uprisings that swept the region, was freed on Friday after six years in detention, his lawyer said.
