China says ousted security tsar’s influence corrupted others
BEIJING (Reuters) – China’s domestic security chief said his disgraced predecessor, Zhou Yongkang, led many others astray, alluding to a widening crackdown on Zhou’s friends and associates, the Beijing News reported on Wednesday.
Beset by hardship, Iranians losing hope for future
ANKARA (Reuters) – As prices of food, water and electricity rise further beyond reach, struggling Iranians are losing belief in their pragmatic president and his promise of a brighter future.
Manila says China’s ‘massive’ reclamation work a serious concern
MANILA (Reuters) – The Philippines on Wednesday accused China of undertaking massive reclamation work on several reefs in the disputed South China Sea, expressing concern the activities could fuel tensions.
EU court upholds sanctions on Assad uncle
LUXEMBOURG (Reuters) – Judges in the European Union upheld EU sanctions against a wealthy uncle of Syrian President Bashar al-Assad in a judgment released by the General Court on Wednesday.
Russia to seek immediate ceasefire at Ukraine talks
MOSCOW (Reuters) – Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov said he would seek an immediate ceasefire in east Ukraine at talks in Berlin on Wednesday with the foreign ministers of Ukraine, Germany and France.
Putin not flinching on Ukraine despite economic crisis
MOSCOW (Reuters) – A surge in violence in east Ukraine is undermining international hopes that Russia’s financial crisis and Western sanctions will force President Vladimir Putin to change policy on the conflict.
Zambian kwacha strengthens after peaceful presidential vote
Lusaka (Reuters) – The Zambian kwacha gained 1.4 percent on Wednesday, a sign of investor confidence following a tight but smooth presidential elections in the southern African economy, where copper accounts for 70 percent of export earnings.
China to abolish arrest, conviction rate targets: state media
BEIJING (Reuters) – China’s ruling Communist Party will abolish targets for arrests, prosecutions and convictions, state media said on Wednesday, the latest in a series of legal reforms at a time of widening public discontent.
Human Rights Watch says Egypt not serious about improving prison conditions
CAIRO (Reuters) – Human Rights Watch accused Egyptian authorities on Wednesday of failing to take serious steps to improve conditions in overcrowded prisons which are causing deaths.
Myanmar monk’s U.N. whore rant ‘could hurt Buddhism’
BANGKOK (Reuters) – A Myanmar Buddhist monk who called a U.N. human rights envoy a “whore” has violated his monastic code and could damage his religion, another prominent monk said on Tuesday, but he is unlikely to face censure.
