European Union signs landmark association agreement with Ukraine
BRUSSELS (Reuters) – The European Union and Ukraine signed the core elements of a political association agreement on Friday, committing to the same deal former president Viktor Yanukovich rejected last November, a move which led to his overthrow.
Turkey blocks Twitter days before vote as PM fights scandal
ANKARA (Reuters) – Turkey’s courts have blocked access to Twitter days before elections as Prime Minister Tayyip Erdogan battles a corruption scandal that has seen social media platforms awash with alleged evidence of government wrongdoing.
Taiwan protesters dig in over China trade bill
TAIPEI (Reuters) – Thousands of young people in Taiwan waved banners and shouted slogans on Friday, marking the third day of their occupation of parliament to protest against a trade pact with China they fear could further swell Beijing’s economic infl…
Putin looks to Asia as West threatens to isolate Russia
MOSCOW (Reuters) – When President Vladimir Putin signed a treaty this week annexing Crimea to great fanfare in the Kremlin and anger in the West, a trusted lieutenant was making his way to Asia to shore up ties with Russia’s eastern allies.
Obama hits closest Putin allies with sanctions over Crimea
WASHINGTON/MOSCOW (Reuters) – U.S. President Barack Obama raised the stakes in an East-West confrontation over Crimea on Thursday by targeting some of Russian President Vladimir Putin’s closest long-time political and business allies with personal sanc…
Food and fuel trump graft for Turkey’s local elections
ANKARA (Reuters) – Taxi driver Ramazan Aktay is quick to shrug off the corruption scandal swirling around Turkish Prime Minister Tayyip Erdogan, at least as long as the ruling party keeps delivering free food and coal to his working class suburb of Ank…
Israel promotes plans for 2,372 settler homes in the West Bank
JERUSALEM (Reuters) – Israel has promoted building plans for 2,372 homes in eight Israeli settlements in the occupied West Bank in the past month, on land the Palestinians want for a future state, an anti-settlement watchdog has said.
Syria has almost zero chemical arms potential: Russian Foreign Ministry
MOSCOW (Reuters) – The Syrian government has reduced its chemical weapons potential close to zero, state-run RIA news agency quoted an unnamed official at the Russian Foreign Ministry as saying on Friday.
French parents alone against Syria jihad recruiters
TOULOUSE, France (Reuters) – When Dominique Bons’ timid son stopped smoking overnight and started praying frequently at his home in the southern French city of Toulouse, she alerted the authorities.
Four foreigners among nine killed in Kabul hotel attack – Afghan police
KABUL (Reuters) – Nine civilians, including four foreigners, were killed in Thursday’s attack on a luxury hotel in central Kabul, Afghan police and government security officials said on Friday.
