IDT Corporation, the largest U.S.-based provider of international long distance calling, has reached an agreement with Cuba's ETECSA telecom company to provide phone service between the two countries as they normalize relations.

The Cuban company, Empresa de Telecomunicaciones de Cuba S.A., said in a statement Friday that the deal enables "the reestablishment of direct communication between the United States and Cuba."

A new front for Ukraine: As conflict persists in the east, the massive financial lifeline pledged by the international community is rife with uncertainties, especially linked to the country's debt.

Strangled by 10 months of deadly fighting between government forces and pro-Russia separatists, Ukraine's backers have proposed a new $40 billion, four-year deal to support government finances and combat a severe recession.

Eurozone business activity hit a seven-month high in February, extending gains despite concerns over the Greek debt crisis as the economy recovers from a soft patch, a key survey showed Friday.

Analysts broadly welcomed the closely-watched Markit Economics report after the economy had looked in real difficulty late last year, but some remained cautious on the outlook.

Oil prices climbed Friday, recovering slightly from a sell-off caused by news that U.S. stockpiles had reached record highs, adding to worries about a global supply glut.

U.S. benchmark West Texas Intermediate for April, a new contract, gained 35 cents to $52.18 while Brent added 33 cents to $60.54.

Dozens of angry clients of Portugal's recently collapsed Banco Espirito Santo (BES) stormed a branch of its successor Novo Banco on Thursday demanding the pay-back of bonds representing their life-savings.

In the third such incident in recent weeks, around 100 people swarmed Novo Banco's Coimbra agency in central Portugal shouting "thieves", "crooks" and "we want our money back", Portugal's Lusa news agency said.

Germany and Greece face off again Friday in search of a last minute bailout compromise, with Berlin insisting Athens accept continued austerity in return for fresh aid.

After days of sharp exchanges, the 19 eurozone finance ministers gather for their third meeting in little over a week to consider a take-it or leave-it proposal by Athens that they extend an EU loan programme which expires this month.

Russia's Gazprom on Thursday started supplying gas directly to the rebel-controlled area in east Ukraine after pro-Moscow separatist leaders said Kiev had cut supplies, the company's chief said.

"From 1600 (1300 GMT) on February 19, Gazprom is supplying gas to Ukraine including through the Prokhorovka and Platovo gas metering stations to an amount of 12 million cubic meters per 24 hours," said Alexei Miller, quoted by RIA Novosti news agency.

Qatar said Thursday it will introduce a major labor law reform to ensure thousands of workers building venues for the 2022 World Cup are paid on time, after complaints by rights groups.

The changes by the future hosts of football's biggest tournament, approved by Qatar's Emir Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad al Thani, will see workers get paid at least once a month and in some cases every fortnight. 

Greece on Thursday formally asked the EU for a loan extension which would buy the cash-strapped nation time to unveil new anti-austerity reforms, a government source said.

"The request has been sent" to Brussels, the source said, with Greek media reports noting that Athens is requesting a six-month assistance package.

A 14-day strike by Air France pilots had a devastating effect on the results of Europe's second-largest airline, the group said Thursday, as it published its annual figures.

Air France-KLM booked a net loss of 198 million euros ($226 million) in 2014, the Franco-Dutch group said in a statement.