China’s Bo Xilai allowed to appeal against life in jail
BEIJING (Reuters) – A court in eastern China on Wednesday allowed ousted former senior politician Bo Xilai to appeal against a life sentence handed out last month on crimes of corruption and abuse of power.
Polish PM denies seeking replacement for finance minister
WARSAW (Reuters) – Polish Prime Minister Donald Tusk denied on Wednesday he was planning to dismiss Finance Minister Jacek Rostowski.
Iran rejects U.S. condition for joining Syria peace conference
DUBAI (Reuters) – Iran rejects any conditions for taking part in a long-delayed peace conference on Syria, Iranian media reported, in effect dismissing a U.S. suggestion that Tehran back a call for a transitional government in Damascus.
Afghan Taliban say Pakistan still holds ex-No 2 in jail
KABUL (Reuters) – The Afghan Taliban said on Wednesday Pakistan has not freed their former second-in-command, Mullah Baradar, as promised and that his health is deteriorating in prison.
Maldives sets October 19 presidential poll after first vote annulled
MALE (Reuters) – The Maldives will hold a new presidential election on October 19, the election commission announced on Wednesday, after the Supreme Court annulled a September 7 poll citing voter fraud.
Azerbaijan leader Aliyev eyes third term in presidential poll
BAKU (Reuters) – Azerbaijan’s President Ilham Aliyev looks certain to extend his rule in the oil-producing former Soviet republic for a third straight term in an election on Wednesday that opponents say has already been skewed in his favor.
U.N. faces U.S. lawsuit over Haiti cholera epidemic
UNITED NATIONS (Reuters) – Human rights lawyers representing Haitian victims of a cholera epidemic they blame on U.N. peacekeepers announced on Wednesday they were filing a lawsuit against the United Nations, with a New York court seeking compensation …
Latest leak at Japan’s Fukushima plant contaminates six workers
TOKYO (Reuters) – Six workers at Japan’s Fukushima nuclear plant were exposed to leaking radioactive water after one of them mistakenly removed a pipe to a water treatment system, the plant’s operator said on Wednesday.
Syria’s shipping trade struggles as war risks bite
LONDON (Reuters) – War and sanctions are taking an increasing toll on Syria’s vital sea-borne trade, with fewer vessels calling at its cargo ports as ship-owners shy away from the risks associated with a conflict now in its third year.
China arrests chairman of world’s largest tin producer over bribes
BEIJING (Reuters) – Chinese authorities have arrested and charged the chairman of the world’s largest producer of refined tin, Yunnan Tin Co, for accepting bribes, a provincial government said, in the latest example of the country’s crackdown on graft….