Around the world in 180 characters

Every weekend Paste BN takes a bite-size look in approximately 180 characters per item at the past week's top stories from around the world.

New calm before new storm?

A deal between the Ukrainian president and the opposition to hold early elections calmed violence in the capital but questions remained over whether the peace would last.

What a riot

Two members of the punk band Pussy Riot were detained and questioned about a theft at a hotel at the Winter Olympics in Sochi. They were later released.

Opposition barred

Venezuelan prosecutors charged opposition leader Leopoldo Lopez with arson, delinquency and conspiracy to promote delinquency. Protests continue to roil the South American country.

Cold case

Meredith Kercher has been all but forgotten in the sensational murder case involving American Amanda Knox and her former Italian boyfriend Raffaele Sollecito, her family said.

Boyish PM

Matteo Renzi, on track to be Italy's next prime minister, will be, at 39, the youngest person to ever hold that position.

Spiritual spat

China lashed out at President Obama for holding a meeting with Tibet's spiritual leader Dalai Lama.

World ends

Nordic folklore has it that after three freezing winters, when there have been no summers in between, the world will come to an end.

Mexicans not happy

Mexico's national statistics service released a survey showing that consumer confidence has crashed to its lowest level since the depths of the world economic crisis in 2009.

Public hacking

Former British newspaper editor Rebekah Brooks argued her innocence of phone-hacking charges in public for the first time.