Diplomatic Relations

Kosovo denies Serb president Orthodox Christmas visit

Thomson ReutersJanuary 5, 2013 11:30

PRISTINA, Jan 5 (Reuters) - Kosovo said on Saturday it had rejected a request from Serbia's president to visit his ethnic kin to mark Orthodox Christmas, saying the ban was in response to Belgrade's refusal to let Kosovo officials visit Serbia. Serbian President Tomislav Nikolic had asked to attend an Orthodox Christmas mass on Monday at Gracanica monastery in a Serb enclave just a few kilometers from the capital Pristina.

UPDATE 2-US: Time not right for Google executive's North Korea trip

Thomson ReutersJanuary 4, 2013 00:15

* Schmidt a top figure in U.S. technology industry * Purpose of trip unclear, but visit seen as private * Washington, allies trying to intensify U.N. sanctions By Arshad Mohammed WASHINGTON, Jan 3 (Reuters) - The U.S. State Department said on Thursday the time was not right for Google Inc Executive Chairman Eric Schmidt and former diplomat Bill Richardson to visit North Korea, which drew international criticism for a rocket launch last month.

UPDATE 3-Putin makes French film star Depardieu a Russian

Thomson ReutersJanuary 4, 2013 00:15

* Actor is high-profile campaigner against tycoon tax * Depardieu applied for passport after Putin comments - Kremlin * Hollande redrafting tax law after ruled unconstitutional (Adds reaction from media, politicians, background) By Alexei Anishchuk and Megan Davies MOSCOW, Jan 3 (Reuters) - Russian President Vladimir Putin has granted citizenship to Gerard Depardieu, the French movie star whose decision to quit his homeland to avoid a tax hike prompted accusations of national betrayal.