Ukraine acts to prepare anti-corruption agreement, says EBRD
KIEV (Reuters) – Ukraine has renewed a push for agreement with the European Bank for Reconstruction and Development to fight corruption after President Viktor Yanukovich’s commitment to improving the business climate was criticized, a bank official sai…
Malawian police arrest ex-minister for attempted murder
LILONGWE (Reuters) – Police in Malawi arrested a former justice minister on Friday in connection with the attempted murder of a budget official whose shooting helped expose a multi-million-dollar corruption scandal.
Sri Lanka denies refusing visas to rights delegation
COLOMBO (Reuters) – Sri Lanka on Friday denied refusing visas to a delegation from an international human rights group ahead of a Commonwealth summit in Colombo, saying its permission had not been sought for the overseas visitors.
Wrecked Japanese nuclear plant to double pay after criticism
TOKYO (Reuters) – The operator of Japan’s wrecked Fukushima nuclear plant will double the pay of contract workers as part of a revamp of operations at the station, after coming under criticism for its handling of clean-up efforts.
China party says no to political reform on eve of key meet
BEIJING (Reuters) – China’s Communist Party gave an emphatic no to any political reform that may threaten its rule in a lengthy document published on Friday, the day before it starts a key meeting to set the economic agenda for the next decade.
Kerry committed to help narrow differences with Iran: U.S.official
TEL AVIV (Reuters) – U.S. Secretary of State John Kerry is committed to doing “anything he can” to narrow differences with Iran over its nuclear program, a senior State Department official said on Friday shortly before Kerry headed to Geneva for talks….
Japan lawmaker reprimanded after emperor letter hits nerve
TOKYO (Reuters) – A Japanese lawmaker was reprimanded on Friday for breaking a taboo by trying to involve Emperor Akihito in politics when he handed him a letter expressing concern about the health impact of the Fukushima nuclear crisis.
Arab Spring fallout fuels Mediterranean smuggling rise
LONDON (Reuters) – The chaotic fallout of the “Arab Spring” is fuelling a surge in the smuggling of drugs, weapons and people across the Mediterranean, and cash-strapped regional powers are struggling to respond.
Israeli troops shoot dead Palestinian at West Bank checkpoint
JERUSALEM (Reuters) – Israeli troops shot and killed a Palestinian who tried to stab one of them at a West Bank checkpoint on Friday, a police spokesman said, the second Palestinian fatality in the territory in a few hours.
Taliban plan wave of revenge attacks in Pakistan
DERA ISMAIL KHAN, Pakistan (Reuters) – The Pakistani Taliban announced on Friday they would orchestrate a wave of revenge attacks against the government after naming hardline commander Mullah Fazlullah as their new leader.
