Russia denies Italian reports it spied on G20 leaders
ROME/MOSCOW (Reuters) – Russia has denied reports that its intelligence services spied on hundreds of foreign delegates at a Group of 20 summit in St Petersburg in September using gifts such as teddy bears, diaries and free USB keys.
China formally charges journalist with defaming state-backed company
BEIJING (Reuters) – A Chinese journalist who repeatedly criticized a major state-owned construction equipment maker has been formally arrested on a charge of damaging its reputation, Xinhua news agency reported on Wednesday, in the latest twist in the …
Egypt arrests Muslim Brotherhood leader: ministry source
CAIRO (Reuters) – Egyptian authorities have detained senior Muslim Brotherhood leader Essam El-Erian, an Interior Ministry source said on Wednesday, the latest arrest in a government crackdown against the Islamist movement.
China to step up own security after new NSA allegations
BEIJING (Reuters) – China will step up its security following allegations that the U.S. National Security Agency (NSA) collected data on millions of phone calls in Europe and snooped on leaders of major U.S. allies, the government said on Wednesday.
Tepco shouldn’t be in charge of Fukushima shutdown: Japan panel
TOKYO (Reuters) – Tokyo Electric Power Co should be stripped of the responsibility for shutting down its crippled Fukushima nuclear power plant, according to a draft proposal by a panel of Japan’s ruling party.
Insight: Starvation in Syria: a war tactic
(This story was reported by a visiting journalist whose name has been withheld for security reasons)
Suicide bombers kill 11 military, police in Iraq dinner attack-police
BAGHDAD (Reuters) – Two suicide bombers killed at least 11 military and police officers and wounded 19 late on Tuesday by blowing themselves up outside a Sunni militia leader’s house in northern Baghdad as he was hosting dinner.
Abyei welcomes UN-backed referendum in disputed region
ABYEI (Reuters) – Abyei officials welcomed a push by the African Union to involve the U.N. Security Council in helping plan a referendum to resolve a dispute in the remote border region.
Afghans to visit Pakistan for talks with ex-Taliban chief
KABUL (Reuters) – Senior Afghan officials will travel to Pakistan soon to speak to former Taliban No.2 leader Mullah Abdul Ghani Baradar following a breakthrough in negotiations during a London summit, the Afghan presidential palace said on Wednesday.
Despite low rating, Myanmar business climate improving
BANGKOK (Reuters) – For a country rolling out economic reforms at a startling pace, Myanmar’s lowly ranking among the likes of Eritrea and Chad for ease of doing business might set off alarm bells for would-be foreign investors.
