Tycoon Pugachev files $12 billion claim against Russia
PARIS (Reuters) – Sergei Pugachev, a tycoon once dubbed “Putin’s banker”, has filed a claim against Russia for $12 billion after his business empire was carved up when he fell out of favor with President Vladimir Putin, his lawyers said.
Ukraine rebels offer to postpone local vote: separatist website
KIEV (Reuters) – Pro-Russian rebels proposed on Tuesday postponing the date of local elections in separatist parts of east Ukraine to February 2016 in an effort to lift peacemaking out of “stalemate,” according to a statement posted on separatist websi…
Russia starts Syria drone surveillance missions: U.S. officials
WASHINGTON (Reuters) – Russia has started flying drone aircraft on surveillance missions in Syria, U.S. officials said on Monday, in what appeared to be Moscow’s first military air operations there since staging a rapid buildup at a Syrian air base.
Pakistan jail officials unsure how to hang paralyzed convict
ISLAMABAD (Reuters) – Pakistani jail authorities postponed executing a prisoner who is in a wheelchair an hour before he was due to be hanged on Tuesday, because prison rules did not make it clear how they should proceed, his lawyers said.
Serbia threatens retaliation over Croatia truck blockade
BATROVCI, Serbia (Reuters) – Serbia threatened to retaliate after neighbor Croatia halted all cargo traffic from Serbia following an influx of migrants over their joint border.
At least 80 people killed in bomb blasts in Nigeria’s Borno state
MAIDUGURI, Nigeria (Reuters) – At least 80 people were killed and about 150 injured in multiple bomb attacks in northeastern Nigeria’s Borno state on Sunday evening, police and witnesses said on Monday.
Burkina Faso PM Zida, held hostage since coup, freed
OUAGADOUGOU (Reuters) – Burkina Faso’s Yacouba Isaac Zida, who had been held hostage since a coup led by the West African nation’s elite presidential guard last week, was freed on Tuesday, an advisor and a senior army officer loyal to the government sa…
India summons home envoy to Nepal as new charter sours ties
NEW DELHI (Reuters) – India summoned its ambassador to Nepal home for urgent talks, officials said on Tuesday, following a sudden downturn in ties after its neighbor adopted a new constitution that sparked weeks of border violence that killed more than…
Afghan Taliban leader calls for unity, hints at peace talks in Eid message
PESHAWAR, Pakistan (Reuters) – The new leader of the Afghan Taliban, Mullah Mansour, called for unity and raised the possibility of peace talks with the government in Kabul in a message released on Tuesday to mark the upcoming Muslim festival of Eid.
German police raid suspected Islamists in Berlin
BERLIN (Reuters) – German police said they raided eight properties in Berlin early on Tuesday that they believe are being used by suspected Islamists supporting fighting in Syria.
