Freed by Russia, Ukraine’s ‘Joan of Arc’ may be thorn in own leaders’ side
KIEV (Reuters) – Securing pilot Nadiya Savchenko’s release from Russian captivity was a PR coup for Ukrainian President Petro Poroshenko but the outspoken woman feted as the nation’s “Joan of Arc” may ultimately prove a thorn in his side.
U.N. chief ‘deeply disappointed’ by rejection of press watchdog
UNITED NATIONS (Reuters) – U.N. Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon is disappointed by a U.N. panel’s rejection of an application from the Committee to Protect Journalists for U.N. accreditation, Ban’s spokesman said on Friday.
Islamic State has Euro 2016 in its sights, German spy chief says
BERLIN (Reuters) – Islamic State militants have the Euro 2016 soccer tournament in their sights though there is no concrete evidence at the moment of an attack being planned, the head of Germany’s domestic intelligence agency has said.
Hollande says won’t let protesters choke economy as police clear fuel picket
PARIS (Reuters) – French riot police forcibly removed striking workers blocking a large fuel distribution depot on Friday as President Francois Hollande warned anti-reform protesters he would not let them strangle the economy.
G7 vows growth efforts as Japan’s Abe warns of global crisis
ISE-SHIMA, Japan (Reuters) – The Group of Seven industrial powers pledged on Friday to seek strong global growth, while papering over differences on currencies and stimulus policies and expressing concern over North Korea, Russia and maritime disputes …
Europe steps up North Korea sanctions with oil, finance bans
BRUSSELS (Reuters) – The European Union stepped up its sanctions on North Korea on Friday with near-blanket trade and travel bans after Pyongyang’s latest nuclear test and rocket launch, a move going beyond new U.N. Security Council sanctions.
Syrian president denies media report of new Russian-drafted constitution
BEIRUT (Reuters) – Syrian President Bashar al-Assad denied media reports on Friday that his ally Russia had drawn up a new constitution for his country and presented it to his government as part of international efforts to end the long conflict.
North Korea threatens retaliation after South Korean warning shots
SEOUL (Reuters) – North Korea threatened retaliation on Friday after South Korea fired what it said were warning shots when a patrol boat and fishing boat from the North crossed the disputed sea border off the west coast of the Korean peninsula.
China faces headaches from warming Vietnam-U.S. ties
HONG KONG/BEIJING (Reuters) – At a stroke, the U.S. and Vietnam have complicated the strategic outlook for China over the disputed South China Sea.
Russia may extend counter-sanctions until end-2017: PM
MOSCOW (Reuters) – Russian Prime Minister Dmitry Medvedev has ordered his ministers to draft proposals to extend Moscow’s food import ban until the end of 2017.
