News In Brief

Tymoshenko starts hunger strike
Afp, Kiev

Jailed Ukrainian opposition leader Yulia Tymoshenko went on a hunger strike yesterday in solidarity with thousands of pro-European protesters outraged with the ex-Soviet state's shock decision to scrap a key EU pact.
The fiery co-leader of the 2004 pro-Western Orange Revolution made her announcement in a letter read out Monday night to 20,000 EU integration supporters who thronged central Kiev for the second day running.

Saudi, Kuwait tighten controls on clerics
Reuters, Dubai

Saudi Arabia and Kuwait have been quietly reining in their clerics on concerns that preachers could use their influence to stir up trouble and inflame sectarian divisions at a time of high tension over the crises in Syria and Egypt.
Authorities in Saudi Arabia have declined to respond to local media reports in recent months which said nearly 20 clerics had been sacked or suspended. In Kuwait, the authorities have resumed the monitoring of sermons, pulled a television preacher off the air and deported a foreign imam.

Spying Row: Malaysia calls Singapore envoy
Afp, Kuala Lumpur

Malaysia's foreign ministry yesterday summoned the ambassador from neighbouring Singapore over a media report that the city-state helped with US-Australian surveillance in the region.
Malaysia had already summoned the heads of the US and Australian missions earlier in November in protest at reports that a vast US-led surveillance network included a listening post in America's Malaysia embassy.

Nato launches largest-ever cyber drills
Afp, Tallinn

Nato yesterday launched its largest-ever cyber exercises to practise warding off massive, simultaneous attacks on member states and their partners.
Based at the alliance's cyber defence centre in EU member Estonia, the exercises will last three days and include participants in over 30 European states. Around 400 legal and IT experts as well as government officials will take part in the operation code-named "Cyber Coalition 2013".

India marks Mumbai Attacks anniversary
Afp, Mumbai

India yesterday marked the fifth anniversary of militant attacks on Mumbai with memorial services and prayers as victims recounted the three days of carnage that left 166 people dead.