EU weighs additional sanctions on Russia

European Union governments will decide on a package of new sanctions against Russia by Friday, incoming EU foreign affairs chief Federica Mogherini told the European Parliament on Tuesday, calling for "the strongest possible response".

More than 1 million displaced

More than 1 million people have been displaced by the conflict in Ukraine, including 814,000 Ukrainians now in Russia, the UNHCR United Nations refugee agency said on Tuesday.

Support grows for Scottish independence

A poll showing support for Scottish independence at its highest ever level threw the fate of the United Kingdom into question on Tuesday, just two weeks before Scots vote on whether to secede.

IN BRIEF (Page 12)

Cuba restricts inflow of foreign-bought products

Cubans braced on Monday for a clampdown on the flow of car tires, flat-screen televisions, bluejeans and shampoo in the bags of travelers who haul eye-popping amounts of foreign-bought merchandise to the country, where consumer goods are scarce and expensive.

Bad weather delays kickoff of Japan's dolphin hunting season

The controversial six-month dolphin hunting season began on Monday in the Japanese town of Taiji, but bad weather will delay any killing, a local official told AFP.

Wounded Gazans struggle to find treatment

Still in shock weeks after a blast from an Israeli shell shredded his arm and killed four members of his family, Ahmed Ayyad is one of many wounded Gazans now in need of long-term care.

DPRK fires projectile into sea

The Democratic People's Republic of Korea fired a short-range projectile, presumed to be a ballistic missile, off its eastern coast on Monday, the Republic of Korea's Yonhap News Agency said.

Obama faces pressure to deal with Islamic State

The White House is coming under bipartisan pressure to develop a strategy to tackle growing threats from the Islamic State, with Germany and Australia deciding to supply weapons to Iraq's Kurdish fighters against IS forces.

Pakistani army retakes state TV from protesters

Pakistani soldiers and paramilitary forces secured the headquarters of state television channel PTV in Islamabad on Monday after a crowd of anti-government protesters stormed the building and took the channel off the air.

Putin urges EU to use 'common sense'

Russian President Vladimir Putin urged the EU on Monday to show "common sense" and refrain from engaging in mutually destructive sanctions - his first public reaction to the threat of additional punitive measures over Russia's involvement in Ukraine.

China calls for calm in Ukraine crisis

China urged parties involved in the Ukraine crisis to stay calm on Monday and prevent measures that may escalate tensions, following European Union talks of new sanctions on Russia.