Australia denies ‘offensive’ accusations Sri Lanka asylum seekers ill-treated
COLOMBO (Reuters) – Australia on Wednesday rejected accusations of mistreatment by Sri Lankan asylum seekers returned to the island nation, saying the move sent a strong message to those thinking of following in their footsteps.
Both candidates in Indonesia election claim victory; Jokowi ahead in more counts
JAKARTA (Reuters) – Both candidates claimed victory in Indonesia’s presidential election on Wednesday, suggesting there could be a drawn out constitutional battle to decide who will next lead the world’s third-largest democracy.
Yemen extradites Ethiopian opposition official to Addis Ababa: government
ADDIS ABABA (Reuters) – Yemeni authorities have handed over to Ethiopia an opposition official who had been sentenced to death in absentia on charges of plotting to overthrow the Addis Ababa government, state media reported on Wednesday.
Swiss ex-banker charged with giving data to WikiLeaks
ZURICH (Reuters) – A Swiss prosecutor brought charges against former Julius Baer private banker Rudolf Elmer on Wednesday for allegedly handing over confidential data to WikiLeaks founder Julian Assange and attempting to pass on files to German officia…
Newspaper says UAE holding suspected Qatari ‘agents’ for questioning
DUBAI (Reuters) – The United Arab Emirates is holding suspected Qatari intelligence agents for questioning on their activities in the UAE, an Emirati newspaper said on Wednesday, in a case that could further damage ties between the two Gulf Arab allies…
Dagestan ex-mayor jailed for plotting ‘terrorist’ attack on rival
MOSCOW (Reuters) – A man long relied on by President Vladimir Putin to rule one of Russia’s most violent cities was sentenced to 10 years in jail on Wednesday on charges of plotting a “terrorist” attack to kill a political rival.
China, U.S. say committed to managing differences
BEIJING (Reuters) – China and the United States need to manage their differences, the leaders of both countries said on Wednesday at the start of annual talks expected to focus on cyber-security, maritime disputes, the Chinese currency and an investmen…
Sri Lanka bans activist groups from contact with media
COLOMBO (Reuters) – Sri Lanka has banned activist groups and NGOs from holding press conferences and issuing press releases, a Defence Ministry circular says, raising new concerns over freedom of expression in the island nation.
Ukraine accuses Russia of abducting woman army officer
KIEV (Reuters) – Ukraine accused Russia on Wednesday of abducting a woman army officer captured by separatist fighters in eastern Ukraine and demanded she be released and returned home.
Iraqi security forces find 53 blindfolded bodies south of Baghdad
HILLA Iraq (Reuters) – Iraqi security forces found 53 corpses, blindfolded and handcuffed, in a town south of Baghdad early on Wednesday, local officials said.
