War 'a few steps away'

Ukraine is close to war, German Foreign Minister Frank-Walter Steinmeier warned in interviews published in four European newspapers on Tuesday.

Court to rule on Yingluck in Thailand

Thailand's Constitutional Court said it will rule on an abuse-of-power case against Prime Minister Yingluck Shinawatra on Wednesday, with a guilty verdict likely to force her from office and possibly bring her supporters to the streets.

US trade pacts 'undermine China's economic security'

Washington's pursuit of free trade pacts spanning two oceans will undermine China's economic security, a report by a leading Chinese think tank warned.

IN BRIEF (Page 11)

Nigerian president vows to free abducted girls

Jonathan says their disappearance will not become 'another mystery'

'Napoleon' returns to Elba for anniversary

"Napoleon" returned to the Italian island of Elba on Sunday as part of a historical re-enactment to mark the 200th anniversary of the defeated French emperor's exile.

Netanyahu defends plan to legally 'anchor' Jewish homeland

Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu moved on Sunday to defend his plans to enshrine in law Israel's status as the national homeland for the Jewish people.

Anti-EU party leader hits campaign trail

Nigel Farage is in his element: standing in a traditional British pub with a pint of beer in his hand and lapping up the attacks on his anti-EU UK Independence Party.

Special forces set to control Odessa

Entire leadership of local police sacked for failure to control rebels

Bank closes branches

Ukraine's largest bank has temporarily closed branches in separatist-held Donetsk and Luhansk, saying it could no longer carry out cash transactions in regions riddled with crime that could "threaten the lives" of its workers.

S. Sudan troops retake fallen towns

Government troops have captured a rebel stronghold and taken back control of another town, sending rebels fleeing toward the Ethiopian border, a South Sudanese military spokesman said on Monday.

Experts: Improving China-Japan ties in the interests of both sides

A flurry of exchanges between China and Japan in the absence of high-level political contacts highlights efforts on both sides to mend ties, observers said.