News
MOSCOW
Russia voices anger at U.S. visa blacklist
The Russian Foreign Ministry issued a statement Wednesday bristling at reports that the United States had put a number of Russian officials on a visa blacklist because they were linked to the death of lawyer Sergei Magnitsky. "The political games in which the U.S. executive power is becoming entangled are causing perplexity and concern," the ministry said. Magnitsky, a 37-year-old lawyer, died in pretrial detention in 2009 after spending nearly a year in prison. He had filed complaints against tax and police officials, implicating them in a $230 million tax fraud. In Washington, State Department spokesman Mark Toner said the U.S. would continue to raise human rights concerns.
Beijing
Kids rescued from trafficking ring
China's Ministry of Public Security said Wednesday that police had rescued 81 children from a major child trafficking ring that had operated throughout eastern China. Xinhua, China's official news agency, reported that 13 babies were rescued in the city of Handan in Hebei province, ranging in age from only 10 days to 4 months. A senior public security ministry official told People's Daily, the Communist Party's leading newspaper, that unless those who purchased children abused them, they may not be subject to criminal penalties.
Elsewhere
Mexican troops enter U.S.: Mexico's Defense Department said a group of Mexican soldiers had to cross over into South Texas after being unable to turn around Monday on the new Donna-Rio Bravo International Bridge over the Rio Grande. The only return along the bridge is on U.S. soil. The department said the situation was explained to U.S. authorities and the troops returned to Mexico.
South Korean mudslides take toll: Mudslides set off by torrential rain crushed mountainside houses and tourist dwellings in South Korea on Wednesday, killing at least 36 people, police said.
Kosovo border post set on fire: European Union and American officials called for restraint Wednesday after mob of about 200 Serbs hurled firebombs and a customs post was set ablaze on Kosovo's northernmost border with Serbia.
Times wires
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