World Briefs

CHINA Four employees at Chinese internet giant Alibaba have lost their jobs after being accused of reprogramming an internal system to steal more than 100 boxes of mooncakes, a traditional delicacy shared during this week’s Mid-Autumn Festival.

US-MYANMAR Aung San Suu Kyi’s latest visit to Washington signals her transformation from long-imprisoned heroine of Myanmar’s democracy struggle to a national leader focused on economic growth.

INDONESIA A senior figure from the East Indonesia Mujahideen militant group has been captured and one of the group’s members killed in a joint operation with the military, Indonesian police say.

MALDIVES The first democratically elected president of the Maldives said from exile in Britain that he has an agreement with the country’s former strongman to counter the current president, who is increasing his stranglehold on power.

INDIA and Afghanistan called for an end to all sponsorship, support and sanctuaries to militants, including those who have committed violence in the two countries.

MONGOLIA Police announced the arrest of a man suspected of killing a British tourist in a rare case of violent crime in the landlocked Asian nation.

RUSSIA President Vladimir Putin’s sports minister, who denied state involvement in doping at the Olympics, went on the offensive over accusations that Russian hackers leaked confidential medical records of U.S. athletes including tennis star Serena Williams and gymnast Simone Biles. “How can you prove that the hackers are Russian?” Vitaly Mutko, the minister, asked reporters yesterday in Athens.

IVORY COAST  The Obama administration is lifting sanctions on the Ivory Coast in recognition of its steps to strengthen democratic institutions. White House spokesman Ned Price says the Ivory Coast has made “extraordinary progress” since its civil war ended in 2011. He’s pointing to a successful election and better handling of arms and illicit trafficking.

VENEZUELA The South American trade block Mercosur will suspend Venezuela if it fails to meet a December deadline to comply with the group’s human rights and immigration standards. The country failed to meet commitments it made when it joined in 2006 and was given a Dec. 1 deadline to avoid suspension