Former top planning official jailed for life in China over graft
BEIJING (Reuters) – The former deputy head of China’s top planning agency was jailed for life on Wednesday over a bribery scandal that exposed graft at the highest levels of China’s government and ensnared several companies including Toyota Motor Corp….
Ukraine envoy rules out new round of peace talks soon
KIEV (Reuters) – Ukraine’s military on Wednesday reported a significant reduction in shelling by separatists during a declared “Day of Silence” on Tuesday, but Kiev’s peace envoy ruled out any new negotiations until the rebels ceased fire completely.
At least 10,000 join protest march against Irish water charge
DUBLIN (Reuters) – At least 10,000 people marched on the Irish parliament on Wednesday in a third day of mass protests against new water charges that have spurred the biggest opposition movement since the country’s financial crisis erupted in 2008.
Zimbabwe’s Mugabe names Mnangagwa as deputy president
HARARE (Reuters) – Zimbabwe’s President Robert Mugabe appointed justice minister Emmerson Mnangagwa as his new deputy in the ruling ZANU-PF party and for the country on Wednesday, in a move that had been widely expected after he fired former deputy Joi…
Gorbachev calls for U.S.-Russia summit to defrost ties
MOSCOW (Reuters) – Former Soviet leader Mikhail Gorbachev called on Wednesday for a U.S.-Russia summit to be convened to prevent a deep freeze in Moscow’s relations with the West over the Ukraine crisis.
Hong Kong appeals to protesters to pack up before camp clearance
HONG KONG (Reuters) – Hong Kong urged pro-democracy protesters to pack up their tents and leave their main camp near government headquarters, saying it could not promise there would be no “confrontations” when the site is cleared on Thursday.
Indian opposition politicians criticize conversion of Muslims
NEW DELHI (Reuters) – Indian Hindu groups are luring poor Muslims to convert with offers of cheap food, opposition politicians said on Wednesday, accusing the groups of a “diabolical agenda” to undermine religious diversity.
Russia says small military mission in east Ukraine at Kiev’s request: RIA
MOSCOW (Reuters) – A Russian general said on Wednesday a small Russian military mission in eastern Ukraine is there at the invitation of Kiev and is assisting the OSCE security group in efforts to secure peace, RIA news agency reported.
Rouble fall, sanctions hurt Russia’s economy: Medvedev
MOSCOW (Reuters) – The weakness of the rouble is hurting Russia, which has lost tens of billions of dollars because of sanctions imposed by the West in the Ukraine crisis, Prime Minister Dmitry Medvedev said on Wednesday.
Middle East funds Gambia as EU cuts aid over human rights concerns
DAKAR (Thomson Reuters Foundation) – The European Union has withdrawn millions of euros of funding for Gambia due to its poor human rights record, leaving the mainly Muslim West African nation to rely increasingly on donors from the Middle East for dev…
