Scepticism, tensions linger after China ‘rebel’ village head admits to graft
WUKAN, China (Reuters) – The chief of a Chinese “rebel” village once seen as a symbol of grassroots democracy said in a video on Tuesday that he’d accepted bribes, but many in the village said the confession was probably forced and pledged to ramp up p…
No cheer for Chinese province as banquet booze ban slapped on officials
SHANGHAI (Reuters) – A county government in eastern China’s Anhui province has banned all alcoholic beverages from official banquets, except those held to attract investment or for foreign affairs, the state-backed newspaper China Daily reported on Tue…
Head of Mexico’s ruling PRI steps down after electoral drubbing
MEXICO CITY (Reuters) – The president of Mexico’s ruling Institutional Revolutionary Party, or PRI, announced his resignation on Monday, two weeks after the party of President Enrique Pena Nieto suffered a humiliating defeat in regional elections.
Colombia to complete talks with FARC rebels by July 20 -president
BOGOTA (Reuters) – Colombia will have completed negotiations with leftist FARC rebels by July 20, President Juan Manuel Santos said on Monday, in what would be a key step in efforts to end more than five decades of war in the Andean country.
Chinese economic cyber-espionage plummets in U.S.: experts
SAN FRANCISCO (Reuters) – The Chinese government appears to be abiding by its September pledge to stop supporting the hacking of American trade secrets to help companies there compete, private U.S. security executives and government advisors said on Mo…
China’s Yulin gears up for annual dog-meat festival amidst opposition
YULIN, China (Reuters) – China’s southern city of Yulin geared up on Monday for its upcoming dog meat festival despite widespread opposition from activists calling for an end to the slaughter and eating of the animals.
Islamic State launches counter-attacks on U.S.-backed forces, Syrian army
AMMAN (Reuters) – The Islamic State group launched a counter-attack against fighters trying to capture the Syrian city of Manbij on Monday, inflicting heavy casualties on the U.S.-backed forces, the Syrian Observatory for Human Rights and the militants…
Gunman shot dead after wounding two at Venezuela central bank
CARACAS (Reuters) – A gunman opened fire inside Venezuela’s central bank on Monday, wounding two guards before he was shot dead by security officers, according to two sources, in the latest violent episode to shake the country.
Mexico teacher protests buffet ruling party, eight killed in clashes
MEXICO CITY (Reuters) – At least eight people were killed in clashes in southern Mexico over the weekend when police and members of a teachers’ union faced off in violent confrontations, a senior state official said, piling fresh pressure on the countr…
Bahrain strips top Shi’ite Muslim cleric of citizenship
DUBAI (Reuters) – Bahrain has revoked the citizenship of the spiritual leader of the kingdom’s Shi’ite Muslim majority, the state news agency reported on Monday, prompting protests outside his home and a sharp rebuke from an Iranian paramilitary chief….
