Ukraine leader to go to EU summit, but not ready to sign pact
KIEV (Reuters) – Ukrainian President Viktor Yanukovich said on Tuesday he would attend an EU summit this week, but, criticizing the bloc for a ‘humiliating’ financial aid offer, declared he would sign a free trade pact only when it suited Ukraine’s int…
Israel, EU reach research deal, finessing settlement issue
JERUSALEM (Reuters) – Israel struck a compromise deal with the European Union on Tuesday allowing it to join a prestigious EU scientific research project, Israeli government sources said, resolving a dispute over Jewish settlements in occupied territor…
Exclusive: U.N. says Syria combatants stymie aid effort
GENEVA (Reuters) – The United Nations says its aid convoys cannot reach around 250,000 people in areas besieged by Syrian government forces or rebels, despite “growing needs and intensifying conflict”.
Israel says kills three Qaeda-linked militants in West Bank
HEBRON, West Bank (Reuters) – Israeli security officials said their forces killed three Palestinian militants on Tuesday who were part of an al Qaeda-linked network in the West Bank.
Free Syrian Army says no ceasefire for Geneva peace talks
BEIRUT (Reuters) – The commander of the rebel Free Syrian Army (FSA) said on Tuesday his group would shun a planned peace conference in Switzerland in January and would pursue its fight to topple President Bashar al-Assad regardless.
France to boost Central African force with U.N. backing
PARIS/BANGUI (Reuters) – France said on Tuesday it would increase its force in Central African Republic to at least 1,000 soldiers once a U.N. resolution is passed next week to try to prevent sectarian violence from destabilizing the entire region.
Referendum on Egypt’s constitution seen in December
CAIRO (Reuters) – Egypt will hold a referendum on an amended constitution in December, the group drafting it said on Tuesday, an important step in an army-backed roadmap meant to lead to elections.
Berlusconi breaks with government ahead of Italy Senate showdown
ROME (Reuters) – Silvio Berlusconi’s center-right party declared on Tuesday it would vote against Italy’s 2014 budget, confirming its break with the ruling coalition a day before the Senate moves to expel the media tycoon over a tax fraud conviction.
Bombers north of Baghdad kill eight soldiers
BAGHDAD (Reuters) – Two suicide bombers killed eight Iraqi soldiers and wounded 26 near an army headquarters north of Baghdad on Tuesday, police and medical sources said.
Rebel governors leave Nigerian ruling party for opposition
ABUJA (Reuters) – Rebel governors who defected from Nigeria’s ruling party merged their splinter group with the main opposition party on Tuesday, eroding the power base President Goodluck Jonathan would need for re-election.
