By Aleksandar Vasovic BELGRADE (Reuters) – Tens of thousands of Serbians protested on Friday demanding better security, a ban on violent TV content and the resignation of key ministers following two mass shootings in which 17 people died. In the second such demonstration in less than a week, throngs of people blocked a key avenue …
Protesters march in Serbia to demand better security after shootings Read More »
By Dan Peleschuk KYIV (Reuters) – Ukraine’s crackdown on corruption has raised eyebrows in recent months by going after respected former technocrats who helped repair the country after the political upheaval of 2014. Chief anti-corruption prosecutor Oleksandr Klymenko is aware of public pressure to put more prominent names or current officials behind bars. But he …
Ukraine’s anti-graft prosecutor says rule of law trumps trophy convictions Read More »
By Max Hunder KARYSHKIV, Ukraine (Reuters) – As a crowd gathered outside the white-brick Orthodox church in the village of Karyshkiv in western Ukraine, raised voices quickly turned to shouting. Soon old women were crying. The villagers were quarrelling over the affiliation of their parish church, which belonged to the Ukrainian Orthodox Church (UOC) …
Communities torn as Ukraine turns its back on Moscow-linked church Read More »
By Dan Peleschuk KYIV (Reuters) -Ukrainian forces have advanced by about 2 km around the eastern city of Bakhmut this week and have not given up any positions there in that time, Deputy Defence Minister Hanna Maliar said on Friday. But she appeared to play down suggestions that Ukraine had already started a much-anticipated counteroffensive, …
Ukraine plays down talk of Bakhmut gains being start of counteroffensive Read More »
By Crispian Balmer ROME (Reuters) – Starting a family in Italy is becoming a “titanic effort” that only the rich can afford, Pope Francis said on Friday, warning that “savage” free-market conditions were preventing the young from having children. Births in Italy dropped below 400,000 in 2022 for the first time, registering a 14th consecutive …
Pope says only rich can afford to have children in Italy Read More »
MOSCOW (Reuters) – The commander of Russia’s Black Sea Fleet has said its defences are being tightened amid a flurry of Ukrainian drone strikes targeting its home base, the Crimean port of Sevastopol. Vice Admiral Viktor Sokolov told Friday’s edition of the military newspaper Krasnaya Zvezda (“Red Star”): “In connection with the threat of attacks …
Russia’s Black Sea Fleet beefs up defences amid drone strikes -commander Read More »
ISTANBUL (Reuters) -Parties to the Black Sea grain pact are nearing a deal to extend it after talks between Ukrainian, Russian, Turkish and United Nations officials, Turkey’s Defence Minister Hulusi Akar said. Russia has threatened to quit the agreement on May 18 over obstacles to its grain and fertilizer exports and the four parties discussed …
Turkey says Black Sea grain deal extension nearing Read More »
By Cecile Mantovani and Denis Balibouse BRIENZ, Switzerland (Reuters) – Swiss authorities have ordered residents to abandon a tiny mountain village in the eastern canton of Graubunden because of fears it could soon be buried beneath a collapsing mountainside. A thick coat of fog covered the mountaintop overlooking the village of Brienz on Thursday, where …
Switzerland evacuates village threatened by vast rockfall Read More »
By Philip Pullella VATICAN CITY (Reuters) -Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskiy is expected to meet Pope Francis in the Vatican on Saturday, diplomatic sources said on Thursday, days after the pope said the Holy See was involved in a peace mission to try to end the war between Russia and Ukraine. The planned trip has not …
Ukraine’s Zelenskiy expected to meet pope on Saturday -sources Read More »
PARIS (Reuters) – Former French President Nicolas Sarkozy should stand trial on charges of corruption and illegal financing of an election campaign related to alleged Libyan funding of his successful 2007 presidential bid, France’s financial prosecutor (PNF) said. Prosecutors have investigated allegations that former Libyan leader Muammar Gaddafi sent Sarkozy’s election campaign millions of euros …
France’s Sarkozy should stand trial for alleged Libyan campaign financing -prosecutor Read More »
