General says Afghanistan will need "combat power"

WASHINGTON (Reuters) - The United States will require "significant firepower" in Afghanistan in 2013-14, the commander of U.S. and NATO forces there said, but decisions about further U.S. troop reductions will only be made after this fall at the earliest.

With Mubarak gone, Egyptians vote freely for leader

CAIRO/ALEXANDRIA (Reuters) - Egyptians relished their first free leadership vote on Wednesday, with Islamists pitted against secular figures in a contest unthinkable before a popular revolt swept President Hosni Mubarak from power 15 months ago.

Piers Morgan "showed journalist how to hack phone"

LONDON (Reuters) - One of Britain's most respected journalists said on Wednesday that former tabloid newspaper editor Piers Morgan showed him how to hack into phones 10 years ago, the latest twist in a scandal that has so far centered on Rupert Murdoch.

China activist worried about nephew's legal plight

NEW YORK (Reuters) - Blind Chinese activist Chen Guangcheng is worried his nephew will be subjected to a revenge show trial by Chinese officials and will work to publicize his plight from New York, a supporter said on Wednesday after meeting Chen.

Mexico opposition party chides ex-governor in drug probe

MEXICO CITY (Reuters) - Mexico's opposition party, leading by double digits in presidential polls, on Wednesday said one of its former governors must face up to charges in the United States of accepting millions of dollars from drug cartels.

Eurozone looks at Greek exit as leaders meet

BRUSSELS (Reuters) - European leaders, at odds over how to resolve the deepening crisis in the euro zone on Wednesday, have been advised by senior officials to prepare contingency plans in case Greece quits the single currency area.

Pakistani doctor jailed for helping CIA find bin Laden

PESHAWAR, Pakistan (Reuters) - Pakistani authorities have sentenced a doctor accused of helping the CIA find Osama bin Laden to 33 years in jail on charges of treason, officials said, a move almost certain to further strain ties between Washington and Islamabad.

Tunisian prosecutor demands death penalty for Ben Ali

TUNIS (Reuters) - A Tunisian military prosecutor demanded on Wednesday that the death penalty be imposed in absentia on ousted president Zine al-Abidine Ben Ali over his alleged role in the deaths of protesters in the towns where the Arab Spring began.

Russian rights chief urges Putin to veto protest law

MOSCOW (Reuters) - The Kremlin's human rights adviser said on Wednesday he will urge Russian President Vladimir Putin to veto a bill to increase fines for protesters deemed to have broken the law, unless it is rewritten.

Russia tests new missile, in warning over U.S. shield

MOSCOW (Reuters) - Russia tested a new long-range missile on Wednesday that should improve its ability to penetrate missile defense systems, the military said, in Moscow's latest warning to Washington over deployment of a missile shield in Europe.