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Toronto mayor Ford to 'get help' as new video surfaces: reports Wednesday, Apr 30, 2014 07:23 PM PDT | Top |
Mexico votes to allow civilian trials for soldiers Wednesday, Apr 30, 2014 07:16 PM PDT | Top |
IMF approves $17 billion bailout for Ukraine amid big risks Wednesday, Apr 30, 2014 06:57 PM PDT | Top |
Ukraine crisis affects start of EU talks with Cuba Wednesday, Apr 30, 2014 06:55 PM PDT By Daniel Trotta HAVANA (Reuters) - The European Union told Cuba on Wednesday it disagreed with its support of Russia in the Ukraine crisis as the dispute cast a shadow over talks aimed at improving relations between the communist-run island and European countries. "It's a point of great concern to the EU," the EU's chief negotiator in the talks, Christian Leffler, told reporters in Havana. Negotiators for the 28-nation bloc and Cuba met on Tuesday and Wednesday in Havana for a first round of talks. Leffler said the differences over Ukraine did not affect the talks but were an example of what would be discussed in future discussions. Full Story | Top |
Wildfire threatens homes in drought-parched Southern California Wednesday, Apr 30, 2014 06:04 PM PDT | Top |
Brazil's Rousseff lowers taxes for workers as popularity drops Wednesday, Apr 30, 2014 05:53 PM PDT | Top |
IMF approves $17 billion bailout for Ukraine amid risks Wednesday, Apr 30, 2014 04:11 PM PDT By Anna Yukhananov WASHINGTON (Reuters) - The International Monetary Fund's board signed off on a $17 billion two-year aid program for Ukraine on Wednesday to help the former Soviet republic's economy recover after months of turmoil. The IMF aid will allow the immediate disbursement of $3.2 billion to Kiev, and unlock further credits from other donors of about $15 billion, intended to help Ukraine stabilize its economy amid its worst civil turmoil since independence in 1991. IMF Managing Director Christine Lagarde admitted the program faces geopolitical risks, along with uncertainty about the government's ability to carry out the politically unpopular measures necessary to get its finances in order. The IMF's board decided to meet every two months for the next couple reviews of Ukraine's program, rather than following the typical three-month schedule, in order to closely track the government's continued commitment to economic reforms, such as floating the currency and cutting fiscal deficits. Full Story | Top |
Northern Ireland police arrest Gerry Adams over 1972 murder Wednesday, Apr 30, 2014 03:53 PM PDT | Top |
IMF's Lagarde says Ukraine program faces risks Wednesday, Apr 30, 2014 03:34 PM PDT Ukraine's $17 billion bailout program from the International Monetary Fund faces geopolitical and implementation risks, the IMF chief said on Wednesday. Ukraine, which has been in the midst of months of turmoil, on Wednesday received the IMF bailout to help stabilize its economy, which should unlock a further $15 billion in international aid. "On the implementation front, we are taking all the precautions we can in order to mitigate those risks," IMF Managing Director Christine Lagarde told reporters. Full Story | Top |
Russian Orthodox Church says not taking sides in Ukraine crisis Wednesday, Apr 30, 2014 03:10 PM PDT By Gabriela Baczynska MOSCOW (Reuters) - The Russian Orthodox Church, accused by critics of being too closely aligned with President Vladimir Putin, should stay out of politics and focus on promoting peace in Ukraine, its head Patriarch Kirill said on Wednesday. Speaking at a meeting with his senior clerics, Kirill said Ukraine was one of the most important concerns for the Russian Orthodox Church and that the church should "safeguard its peace-making capacity" there against all odds. The West and Russia are at loggerheads over Ukraine and some of the recent comments made by the Russian Orthodox Church about the crisis have echoed Moscow's lines. Full Story | Top |
U.S. tells ally Bahrain 'not the time' to do business with Russia Wednesday, Apr 30, 2014 03:00 PM PDT The United States disapproves of a decision by its Gulf ally Bahrain to sign an investment cooperation deal with Russia at a time when U.S. and European governments are imposing economic sanctions on Moscow over the Ukraine crisis, an official said. "With Russia continuing its efforts to destabilize Ukraine, this is not the time for any country to conduct business as usual with Russia," a U.S. State Department official said on Wednesday. "We have raised these concerns with the Bahraini government." In a statement on Tuesday, the Russian Direct Investment Fund (RDIF) said it had signed a memorandum of understanding with Bahraini sovereign wealth fund Mumtalakat to identify and work together on investment opportunities in their countries. Full Story | Top |
U.S. firm ends lobbying deal with Ukraine-related group Wednesday, Apr 30, 2014 02:33 PM PDT By Mark Hosenball WASHINGTON (Reuters) - A Washington lobbying firm with close ties to the White House and Democratic Party has ended its relationship with a Brussels-based group linked to ousted Ukrainian leader Viktor Yanukovich. A second Washington lobbying firm with ties to the Republican Party continues to represent the same Brussels group, according to disclosure documents recently filed with the U.S. Congress by the two firms. The political movement once led by Yanukovich has been deeply disrupted by protests in Ukraine, where a political crisis has deepened after moves by Russia and its sympathizers to take over Crimea and oppose the new Ukrainian central government. One of the documents, filed on April 21, shows that the Podesta Group, headed by Tony Podesta, terminated its representation of the European Centre for a Modern Ukraine on March 31. Full Story | Top |
Ukraine's restive east slipping from government's grasp Wednesday, Apr 30, 2014 02:13 PM PDT | Top |
Iraqis vote as violence grips a divided country Wednesday, Apr 30, 2014 02:10 PM PDT By Ned Parker and Ahmed Rasheed BAGHDAD (Reuters) - Iraq held a democratic vote to choose a leader with no foreign troops present for the first time on Wednesday, as Shi'ite Prime Minister Nuri al-Maliki sought to hold power for a third term in a country again consumed by sectarian bloodshed. Since the last American soldiers pulled out in 2011, eight years after toppling dictator Saddam Hussein, Iraq has descended back into extreme violence, with hundreds of civilians killed each month by al Qaeda-inspired Sunni insurgents, and with Shi'ite militia once more taking fearsome revenge. Voters chose from nearly 10,000 candidates for 328 seats in parliament, from political parties that range from zealous Islamists to liberals and communists. The commission hopes to declare final results by the end of May. Non-Shi'ite parties complained of obstacles to voting in the outer suburbs of Baghdad and saw in it a deliberate effort by Maliki to keep their numbers down in the next parliament. Full Story | Top |
EU peacekeepers take charge at Central African Republic airport, violence rages Wednesday, Apr 30, 2014 01:42 PM PDT | Top |
White House has not yet received EPA's final rule on 2014 ethanol mandates Wednesday, Apr 30, 2014 01:40 PM PDT | Top |
U.N. aid chief suggests stronger action needed on Syria Wednesday, Apr 30, 2014 12:58 PM PDT By Michelle Nichols UNITED NATIONS (Reuters) - The United Nations' aid chief Valerie Amos signaled to the Security Council on Wednesday that it needed to take stronger action to gain greater aid access in Syria, but France said opposition by Russia to any robust moves created the "sad impression of a dead end." Amos said the violence and humanitarian situation in Syria, ravaged by a civil war now in its fourth year, had only worsened since the council adopted a resolution two months ago that demanded safe and unhindered aid access, including across borders. More than 150,000 people have been killed in Syria's three-year-old civil war. Children, women, men are being directly targeted." "The Security Council, in previous situations when we have seen this, have come together around humanitarian issues and have passed robust Security Council resolutions," she said. Full Story | Top |
Search is on for successor to Syria peace mediator Brahimi Wednesday, Apr 30, 2014 12:58 PM PDT By Louis Charbonneau UNITED NATIONS (Reuters) - The search has started for a replacement for Syria mediator Lakhdar Brahimi, who diplomatic sources say is planning to resign in the near future, largely out of frustration at Syrian President Bashar al-Assad's plans to hold an election in June. There are several possible candidates to replace the veteran Algerian diplomat, the sources said, among them former Tunisian Foreign Minister Kamel Morjane. For more than a year, Brahimi has made no secret that he is contemplating stepping down from the post as the United Nations and Arab League joint special representative on Syria. Brahimi told reporters a year ago in New York that he thought about resigning every day. Full Story | Top |
Success brings sanctions for Putin's judo partner Wednesday, Apr 30, 2014 12:54 PM PDT By Jason Bush MOSCOW (Reuters) - Fortune has smiled on judo coach Arkady Rotenberg, bringing his businesses Google-like growth and a key role in staging the Winter Olympics. Rotenberg says his success has nothing to do with personal favors from his childhood sparring partner, Vladimir Putin, and has denounced this week's Ukraine-linked sanctions on his companies as an affront to the spirit of free enterprise. Following personal U.S. visa bans and asset freezes imposed on Rotenberg and his younger brother Boris last month, the new measures against pipeline construction firm Stroygazmontazh (SGM) and banks SMP and Investcapitalbank have, if nothing else, thrust the media-shy sportsman into the spotlight. SGM, 51-percent owned by Arkady Rotenberg, 62, saw revenues grow by a factor of nearly 50 after its creation in 2008 from several units sold by Gazprom. Full Story | Top |
U.S. says al Qaeda core weak, but affiliates still threaten Wednesday, Apr 30, 2014 12:27 PM PDT | Top |
Blast at train station in China's Urumqi, some injured: media Wednesday, Apr 30, 2014 12:24 PM PDT | Top |
Russia voices concern over 'militaristic statements' from Kiev Wednesday, Apr 30, 2014 12:23 PM PDT The Russian Foreign Ministry expressed concern on Wednesday about "militaristic statements" from Kiev after acting President Oleksander Turchinov said Ukraine's armed forces were on full military alert in case of a Russian invasion. "We insist that Kiev immediately ceases the bellicose rhetoric, which is aimed at intimidating its own population," the Foreign Ministry said after Turchinov's comments on Wednesday, and called on Ukraine authorities to refrain from the use of force. The West, which believes Moscow is involved in Ukraine's east where separatists have seized more public buildings in wrestling control away from Kiev, this week introduced fresh sanctions on Russia over Ukraine. Russia denies Western allegations of fomenting separatist unrest in eastern Ukraine. Full Story | Top |
Russia says not retaliating against Western sanctions for now Wednesday, Apr 30, 2014 12:15 PM PDT Russia will not immediately take any retaliatory measures in response to Western sanctions over the Ukraine crisis but could reassess that stance in the future, Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov said on Wednesday. "If their actions continue and they turn to economic measures, in that case we would further study the situation," he said in translated comments. The United States and the European Union imposed new sanctions against Russia this week for its involvement in Ukraine and threatened tougher economic measures if Moscow does not de-escalate the crisis. "What we're going to do is continue to call for observance of the Geneva declaration, which, frankly, our partners are trying to escape from." Ukraine, Russia, the United States and the EU earlier this month reached an agreement in Geneva aimed at defusing the crisis. Full Story | Top |
Mid-sized quake hits off central Chile coast; no damage reported Wednesday, Apr 30, 2014 11:46 AM PDT A shallow 5.1 magnitude earthquake struck off the coast of central Chile on Wednesday, rattling buildings in the capital, Santiago, but not causing any damage. There was no tsunami alert following the short but brusque tremor, according to the country's emergency office. The quake struck 29 miles north of the beach resort of Vina del Mar at a shallow depth of 7.1 miles, the U.S. Geological Survey said. Writing by Alexandra Ulmer; Full Story | Top |
Jordan opens desert camp for Syrian refugees Wednesday, Apr 30, 2014 11:41 AM PDT By Suleiman Al-Khalidi AZRAQ, Jordan (Reuters) - Across the desert horizon of eastern Jordan rows of iron skeleton structures rise from the sand, marking what the United Nations says could become the biggest camp for Syrian refugees in the Middle East. Azraq refugee camp, 100 km (62 miles) east of the capital Amman, was formally opened on Wednesday after 10 months of work paving tarmac roads and constructing thousands of zinc and metal shelters that will ultimately be able to host 130,000 residents. In planning the sprawling 15-square-km site, donors sought to avoid the pitfalls of Jordan's first camp at Zaatari, hastily opened two years ago in a dust-filled border zone where poor services and mismanagement provoked violent protests. "What you are seeing when you drive around is possibly one of the best planned refugee camps in the world and probably what will be one of the biggest refugee camps in the world," UNHCR's Jordan representative, Andrew Harper, told donors and government officials attending the opening ceremony. Full Story | Top |
Republican lawmakers seek tougher sanctions on Russia Wednesday, Apr 30, 2014 11:39 AM PDT By Patricia Zengerle WASHINGTON (Reuters) - A group of Republican senators introduced legislation on Wednesday proposing their own measures to punish Russia over the Ukraine crisis, including sanctions on major banks and energy companies, as well as $100 million in military aid for Kiev. Saying they were frustrated with President Barack Obama's reaction to Russia's military action in Ukraine, the lawmakers said the package would also require Obama to increase substantially U.S. and NATO support for the armed forces of Poland, Estonia, Lithuania and Latvia and accelerate implementation of missile defense in Europe. The legislation provides authority for exports of U.S. natural gas to all World Trade Organization members, a demand of Republicans since the Ukraine crisis began, and provides support to encourage U.S. companies to invest in energy projects in Ukraine, Georgia and Moldova. Backers of the bill included Senator Bob Corker of Tennessee, John McCain of Arizona and other leading Republican foreign policy voices. Full Story | Top |
Lebanese presidential vote delayed as deputies boycott vote Wednesday, Apr 30, 2014 11:25 AM PDT Lebanese politicians abandoned their second attempt to elect a new president on Wednesday after dozens of deputies boycotted a parliamentary vote to choose a successor to President Michel Suleiman. The country's two main political blocs, the pro-Hezbollah March 8 alliance and its March 14 rivals, have yet to agree on a consensus candidate who could garner majority support among the 128 parliamentary deputies. The stalemate stems from longstanding political and sectarian divisions deepened by the three-year-old war in neighboring Syria, and could drag on well beyond the end of Suleiman's term on May 25. Shi'ite Muslims support President Bashar al-Assad while Sunni Muslims back the rebels fighting to topple him. Full Story | Top |
China to conduct naval drills with Russia in East China Sea Wednesday, Apr 30, 2014 11:24 AM PDT China said on Wednesday it would conduct joint naval drills with Russia in the East China Sea off Shanghai in late May, in what it called a bid to deepen military cooperation. China's defense ministry did not give an exact location in the East China Sea, where Beijing is locked in an increasingly bitter dispute with Japan over the ownership of a group of uninhabited islets. "These drills are regular exercises held by China and Russia's navies, and the purpose is to deepen practical cooperation between the two militaries, to raise the ability to jointly deal with maritime security threats," the ministry said on its website. China alarmed Japan, South Korea and the United States last year when it announced an air defense identification zone for the East China Sea, covering the islands. Full Story | Top |
China president urges 'decisive actions' after Xinjiang attack Wednesday, Apr 30, 2014 11:19 AM PDT BEIJING (Reuters) - Chinese President Xi Jinping urged "decisive actions" against "terrorists" after an attack at a train station in the restive far western region of Xinjiang killed three people, state news agency Xinhua said on Thursday. "The battle to combat violence and terrorism will not allow even a moment of slackness, and decisive actions must be taken to resolutely suppress the terrorists' rampant momentum," it quoted Xi as saying. (Reporting by Ben Blanchard; Editing by Robin Pomeroy) Full Story | Top |
Ukraine PM suggests possible government reshuffle in near future Wednesday, Apr 30, 2014 11:17 AM PDT Ukrainian Prime Minister Arseny Yatseniuk threatened his government on Wednesday with a reshuffle if it failed to meet the demands of the people, venting frustration with Kiev's failure to restore law and order in the country's east. With Kiev's authority crumbling in its industrial eastern regions, where pro-Russian separatists have seized buildings with little opposition from police, some critics say the central government has become all but paralyzed by infighting. If there is such action and results that means the government is doing its job," Yatseniuk told a government meeting. "If in the near future such action and results fail to appear, that means there will be personnel changes." Yatseniuk said he hoped a decision from the International Monetary Fund later on Wednesday on a $17 billion bailout would be "positive" and offer a much-needed boost to his government, which has been blighted by sometimes contradictory messages. Full Story | Top |
Putin, Cameron agree 'peaceful means' only way out of Ukraine crisis: Kremlin Wednesday, Apr 30, 2014 11:16 AM PDT MOSCOW (Reuters) - Russia's President Vladimir Putin and British Prime Minister David Cameron, in a phone call on Wednesday, agreed the Ukrainian crisis can only be solved through "peaceful means", the Kremlin said in a statement. "The Russian President noted, in particular, the fundamental importance of the soonest and unconditional implementation by the Kiev authorities of the provisions of the Geneva statement of April 17 to de-escalate tensions in the country," it added. (Reporting by Gabriela Baczynska; Editing by Robin Pomeroy) Full Story | Top |
EU peacekeepers take charge at Central African Republic airport Wednesday, Apr 30, 2014 11:14 AM PDT European Union peacekeepers took charge of security at Central African Republic's main airport on Wednesday, easing the burden on French and African troops who are struggling to contain months of sectarian slaughter in the country. Thousands have taken refuge in a sprawling settlement of cardboard shacks and tarpaulins beside the airport in the capital Bangui to escape the violence that has raised fears of further turmoil in a fragile region. French troops formally handed over to the EU peacekeepers, who are also commanded by a French officer, Major-General Philippe Ponties, at the airport, the bloc said in a statement. The European Union launched its peacekeeping force in the former French colony at the beginning of April after weeks of delays caused by shortages of soldiers and equipment. Full Story | Top |
Modi in police trouble as India's election nears climax Wednesday, Apr 30, 2014 11:13 AM PDT | Top |
Protesters urge Nigeria to step up hunt for girls abducted by Islamists Wednesday, Apr 30, 2014 10:57 AM PDT By Tim Cocks and Lanre Ola ABUJA/MAIDUGURI (Reuters) - Dozens of protesters gathered outside Nigeria's parliament on Wednesday called on security forces to search harder for 200 schoolgirls abducted by Islamist militants in the war-ravaged northeast over two weeks ago. Scores of suspected Boko Haram gunmen stormed an all-girls secondary school in the village of Chibok, in Borno state, on April 14, packing the teenagers onto trucks and disappearing into a remote, hilly area along the Cameroon border. Obviously the government are not doing their job." Boko Haram rebels have killed thousands in the past year. President Goodluck Jonathan has said security forces are doing all they can to find the girls, aged between 15 and 18. Full Story | Top |
China says situation under control after train station blast Wednesday, Apr 30, 2014 10:36 AM PDT BEIJING (Reuters) - The situation is "well under control" after a blast at a train station in Urumqi, capital of China's far western region of Xinjiang, a spokesman for the regional government said on Wednesday. The government was assessing casualty figures and investigating the cause of the blast, spokesman Luo Fuyong told Reuters by telephone. (Reporting by Ben Blanchard; Editing by Robert Birsel) Full Story | Top |
Six powers meet in Brussels to fine-tune Iran talks strategy Wednesday, Apr 30, 2014 10:35 AM PDT | Top |
Swiss let in Croat workers, seek to ease EU immigration row Wednesday, Apr 30, 2014 10:26 AM PDT | Top |
Yemen says arrests cell planning to kidnap UAE diplomat Wednesday, Apr 30, 2014 10:06 AM PDT Yemen said on Wednesday it had arrested a militant cell that had been planning to kidnap the United Arab Emirates' charge d'affaires, after a string of abductions that have targeted Westerners and diplomats in the country. Interior Ministry spokesman Major-General Mohammed al-Qaidy said security forces arrested the six members of what it called a terrorist cell a month ago, and found weapons, fake passports and fake Yemeni currency in their possession. "The gang members confessed that they were going to receive a reward of 5 million riyals ($1.33 million) and a four-wheel drive car if they managed to kidnap the UAE's charge d'affaires," Qaidy told a news conference. It was not immediately clear who had promised the ransom but kidnapping is common in Yemen. Full Story | Top |
Afghan government says West holds prisoners illegally in south Wednesday, Apr 30, 2014 10:00 AM PDT | Top |
Italian court gives Dolce and Gabbana suspended 18-month jail term in tax case Wednesday, Apr 30, 2014 09:36 AM PDT | Top |
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