Russian PM plays down talk of gas wars, warns Ukraine on EU
MOSCOW (Reuters) – Russian Prime Minister Dmitry Medvedev said he saw no reason for Moscow to cut gas supplies to Ukraine over an unpaid bill for now, playing down talk of an imminent “gas war” that might disrupt gas flows to Europe.
Russia’s PM says U.S. hurt by evidence of “cynical” spying
MOSCOW (Reuters) – The United States faces a tough task undoing the damage inflicted by allegations it has spied on leaders of allied countries, Russian Prime Minister Dmitry Medvedev said.
NATO stages exercise as rearming Russia worries some allies
LONDON (Reuters) – When NATO forces start a major exercise in Latvia and Poland this weekend, they will be rehearsing how to oust an anonymous invading enemy from a fictional region.
Indonesia summons Australian ambassador over U.S.-led spying claims
JAKARTA/PERTH (Reuters) – Indonesia summonsed Australia’s ambassador on Friday to explain media reports his embassy in Jakarta was used to spy on Southeast Asia’s biggest country as part of a U.S.-led global spying network.
China jails former top provincial official for life over bribes
BEIJING (Reuters) – China on Friday jailed for life a former vice governor of the northeastern province of Jilin and former banker for taking more than $3 million in bribes, in the government’s latest move to crack down on deep-rooted corruption.
Mexican Congress passes watered-down tax reform
MEXICO CITY (Reuters) – Mexico’s Congress on Thursday passed a package of measures aimed at bolstering the country’s weak tax revenues, but only after watering down a plan that is expected to have a moderate impact at best.
Zelaya’s wife to seek IMF deal if elected in Honduras: running mate
TEGUCICALPA (Reuters) – The wife of ousted Honduran president Manuel Zelaya will seek a deal with the International Monetary Fund (IMF) to resolve a mounting debt crisis if she wins next month’s presidential election, her running mate said on Thursday….
Japan lawmaker breaks taboo with nuclear fears letter for emperor
TOKYO (Reuters) – A Japanese lawmaker handed Emperor Akihito a letter on Thursday expressing fear about the health impact of the Fukushima nuclear disaster, breaking a taboo by trying to involve the emperor in politics.
Japan rejects Chinese protests over sea drills, denies interference
TOKYO (Reuters) – Japan on Friday denied interfering with Chinese military exercises in the western Pacific after Beijing lodged a formal diplomatic protest, saying China’s objections were unacceptable and it had acted in line with international law.
Venezuelan leader says construction workers see Chavez apparition
CARACAS (Reuters) – Venezuelan President Nicolas Maduro said an image of his political idol and predecessor, the late socialist leader Hugo Chavez, had appeared miraculously in the wall of an underground construction site.
