US gives no spying guarantee to UN: spokesman
The US government has guaranteed the UN that it is not intercepting its secret communications, a spokesman said Wednesday while not being drawn on reports of past spying.
31 October 2013 18:00
Putin topples Obama in Forbes power ranking
Having outfoxed him on Syria, Russian President Vladimir Putin has now pipped Barack Obama to the title of the world's most powerful leader as ranked by Forbes on Wednesday.
31 October 2013 15:35
S. Korea president addresses suspicions of poll-meddling
S. Korean President Park Geun-Hye vowed to ensure the political neutrality of government agencies, as she addressed allegations that the domestic spy service interfered in last year's presidential election.
Uzbek first daughter confirms media empire shutdown
The eldest daughter of Uzbekistan President Islam Karimov Wednesday confirmed the closure of television channels she is believed to control, as rumours build of a rift in the ruling family.
31 October 2013 12:00
British newspapers in bid to block tough new press watchdog
British newspaper and magazine publishers sought a last-minute court injunction on Wednesday to stop a mechanism backed by politicians to regulate the press from being approved later in the day.
Obama, Netanyahu discuss Iran
US President Barack Obama spoke to Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu about Iran, a day after the Israeli leader warned Tehran could convert uranium into weapons-grade material within weeks.
Peace envoy heads for Syria, Russia slams rebel threats
UN-Arab League envoy Lakhdar Brahimi headed for Damascus to seek support for a Syria peace conference, as Russia slammed rebels for threatening those planning to attend the so-called Geneva II talks.
US denies Obama knew of Merkel spying
The imbroglio over the tapping of Angela Merkel's phone deepened Sunday, after a US denial that President Barack Obama was informed years ago of electronic surveillance of the German chancellor.
