Defying protesters, Ukraine’s Yanukovich meets Putin on pact
KIEV (Reuters) – Ukrainian President Viktor Yanukovich met Russia’s Vladimir Putin on Friday to lay the grounds for a new “strategic partnership” to shore up Ukraine’s creaking economy in defiance of protesters back home enraged by his U-turn away from…
SPD secures enough votes on coalition deal to ensure its validity
BERLIN (Reuters) – More than one in three members of Germany’s center-left Social Democrats (SPD) has already voted on a proposed coalition deal with Chancellor Angela Merkel’s conservatives, ensuring the internal party referendum will be valid.
Putin’s former defense chief threatened with more severe charges
MOSCOW (Reuters) – A former Russian defense minister was charged with negligence on Friday and threatened with tougher charges in a case seen as a test of President Vladimir Putin’s stated determination to fight corruption but also a sign of Kremlin in…
Thai protest leader vows final push to ‘victory’ on Monday
BANGKOK (Reuters) – Thai anti-government protesters on Friday set a new deadline for bringing down the government, vowing that December 9 was an auspicious time for all of their supporters to join a final push for victory.
Iran, powers meet next week on nuclear deal implementation
VIENNA/BRUSSELS (Reuters) – Iran and six world powers plan expert-level talks next week to work out details of implementing a breakthrough agreement for Tehran to curb its disputed nuclear program in return for a limited easing of sanctions.
Yemen says regains ministry compound, kills 11 militants
SANAA (Reuters) – Yemen’s Defense Ministry said on Friday it had regained full control of its Sanaa military compound a day after a militant attack that killed 52 people, and an al Qaeda-affiliated group claimed responsibility for the assault.
Niger’s president says Libya risks becoming like Somalia
PARIS (Reuters) – Libya risks becoming a failed state like Somalia, Niger President Mahamadou Issoufou said on Friday, a day after gunmen shot dead an American teacher in the eastern city of Benghazi.
Japan enacts strict state secrets law despite protests
TOKYO (Reuters) – Japan enacted a state-secrets law toughening penalties for leaks on Friday, despite public protests and criticism that it will muzzle the media and help cover up official misdeeds.
Nelson Mandela, from apartheid fighter to president and unifier
JOHANNESBURG (Reuters) – Nelson Mandela guided South Africa from the shackles of apartheid to multi-racial democracy, as an icon of peace and reconciliation who came to embody the struggle for justice around the world.
Gunmen kill leader of Pakistani sectarian group
LAHORE, Pakistan (Reuters) – Gunmen killed the provincial leader of a Pakistani Sunni sectarian group on Friday and police deployed to prevent more violence after the anti-Shi’ite faction called for protests.
