Putin discusses Syria peace moves with Assad
MOSCOW (Reuters) – Russian President Vladimir Putin and Syrian leader Bashar al-Assad discussed plans for a peace conference and progress in the elimination of chemical weapons during a telephone call on Thursday, the Kremlin said.
Ukraine’s Yanukovich pushes hard line on Tymoshenko release
KIEV (Reuters) – Ukrainian President Viktor Yanukovich signaled on Thursday that he would sign a law to release his jailed opponent Yulia Tymoshenko to go to Germany for medical treatment only if it meant she went there as a convicted person.
Insight: Revival of Islamists in Mali tests French, U.N. nerve
DAKAR/NOUAKCHOTT (Reuters) – Nine months after they were scattered across the Sahara by waves of French air strikes, Islamists in Mali are making a comeback – naming new leaders, attacking U.N. peacekeepers and killing two French journalists.
Ex-Beatle McCartney asks Putin to help free Greenpeace activists
MOSCOW (Reuters) – Former Beatle Paul McCartney said on Thursday he had written to President Vladimir Putin to enlist his help in securing the release of a group of Greenpeace activists detained in Russia.
Suicide bomber attacks Iraqi Shi’ite pilgrims, killing 35
BAGHDAD (Reuters) – A suicide bomber blew himself up during a Shi’ite Muslim religious ritual in the eastern Iraqi city of al-Sadiya on Thursday, killing at least 35 people and wounding 75, a senior official and security sources said.
Egypt’s Sisi sees new Russia defense cooperation
CAIRO (Reuters) – Egypt’s top general hailed a new era of defense cooperation with Russia on Thursday during a visit by Russian officials, signaling Egyptian efforts to revive ties with an old ally and send a message to Washington after it suspended mi…
Turkish decision on China defense deal could take 6 months
ISTANBUL (Reuters) – Turkey aims to make an definitive decision in about six months on whether to co-produce an air and missile defense system with a Chinese firm that is under U.S. sanctions, a senior Turkish defense official said on Thursday.
Bangladesh factories agree to pay rise, but protests go on
DHAKA (Reuters) – Bangladeshi garment factory owners said on Thursday they had agreed to a proposed 77 percent rise in the minimum wage, but police used teargas and rubber bullets to break up new protests by stone-throwing workers calling for a bigger …
Turkey lifts ban on trousers for women MPs in parliament
ANKARA (Reuters) – Turkey’s parliament has lifted a ban on women lawmakers wearing trousers in the assembly, in a further liberalization of dress rules following a landmark decision to allow female deputies to wear the Islamic headscarf.
China to open mission with tiny Sao Tome, despite its Taiwan links
SAO TOME (Reuters) – China plans to open a trade mission to promote projects in Sao Tome and Principe, 16 years after it broke off relations over the tiny Central African island nation’s diplomatic recognition of Taiwan, Sao Tome officials said.
