The department said Holder plans to engage with news media organizations, including print media, wire services, radio, television, online media and news and trade associations.

NPR: Holder Plan For Off-The-Record Meetings Hits Snag

Xinhua news agency and other party-state media have called a US Department of Defence report on China's military modernisation and alleged state-sponsored military cyber-spying "groundless speculation" that could trigger an arms race in Asia.

BBC: China media: Cyber espionage

According to media reports, the news of the deal raised concerns within the Department of Defense, and Huawei was subsequently asked to file for CFIUS approval.

FORBES: If You Want to Buy an American Company, Ask Permission, Not Forgiveness

But Mr Clegg said moving responsibility for deciding on News Corp's bid for BSkyB to the Culture, Media and Sport Department meant Mr Cable and the government could move on.

BBC: Lib Dems 'concern' over policies secretly recorded

And on Friday the General Administration of Press and Publications, the government department which regulates the print media, published new rules that ban news media from reporting any information on the internet unless it can be verified.

BBC: China's web users are powering dissent

In response to the unrest in Egypt, the department has apparently instructed the Chinese media to use only dispatches sent by the official news agency, Xinhua, and either to bury news of events there or play up aspects that show the costs of turmoil.

ECONOMIST: The Year of the Rabbit starts badly