Japan has not narrowed trade differences with U.S., negotiator says
TOKYO (Reuters) – Japanese officials said on Tuesday there was still a significant way to go before reaching a broad agreement on trade with the United States, a day before President Barack Obama visits for a summit.
UK’s anti-EU party launches European election campaign amid racism row
LONDON (Reuters) – UKIP, Britain’s anti-EU party, launched its campaign for next month’s European elections on Tuesday, fending off accusations from rival lawmakers that its pre-election posters were racist.
Biden offers Kiev U.S. help, condemns corruption
KIEV (Reuters) – U.S. Vice President Joe Biden told Ukrainian presidential candidates and members of parliament on Tuesday that Washington was ready to help Ukraine’s economy but warned them they must fight the “cancer” of endemic corruption.
Ukraine peace deal falters as rebels show no sign of surrender
KIEV/SLAVIANSK, Ukraine (Reuters) – An international agreement to avert wider conflict in Ukraine was faltering on Monday, with pro-Moscow separatist gunmen showing no sign of surrendering government buildings they have seized.
Former Prime Minister Brown to urge Scots to stick with UK
LONDON (Reuters) – Former British Prime Minister Gordon Brown will warn Scots on Tuesday of a pensions “time bomb” in their ageing population as he joins a fight to dissuade them from voting to leave the United Kingdom.
Arab League criticizes Syrian election plan
CAIRO (Reuters) – Holding an election in Syria while civil war rages will only obstruct international efforts to resolve the conflict, the head of the Arab League said on Tuesday.
Libel conviction adds to pressure on Putin foe Navalny
MOSCOW (Reuters) – Russian opposition leader Alexei Navalny was convicted of libel on Tuesday in a ruling his lawyer said could potentially lead to the jailing of the anti-corruption blogger who is one of President Vladimir Putin’s most prominent criti…
First sign of South Korea ferry disaster was call from a frightened boy
SEOUL (Reuters) – The first distress call from a sinking South Korean ferry was made by a boy with a shaking voice, three minutes after the vessel made its fateful last turn.
Russia PM says certain can minimize sanctions impact
MOSCOW (Reuters) – Russia, under threat of further sanctions over the Ukraine crisis, said on Tuesday it could minimize their impact and would support industries dependent on supplies from abroad.
Spread of MERS in Saudi Arabia accelerates with 17 new cases
RIYADH (Reuters) – Saudi Arabia has discovered another 17 cases of Middle East Respiratory Syndrome (MERS), as the total number of confirmed infections of the SARS-like disease has jumped by a third in the kingdom in the past week.
