Merkel popularity hit by ski accident absence, shows poll
BERLIN (Reuters) – German Chancellor Angela Merkel’s popularity has slipped in the last few months and dipped 4 points in the last week alone, due in part to her forced absence after a skiing accident at the end of last year, a poll showed on Wednesday…
As discontent grows, Singapore budget to tighten noose on the rich
SINGAPORE (Reuters) – Singapore is known as a tropical refuge for the world’s wealthy, endowed with exclusive residential enclaves, a marina for super-yachts, two casinos and an annual Formula One race that brings in the global jet-set.
Australian policy not to blame for Indonesia incursions: review
SYDNEY (Reuters) – An Australian review into violations of Indonesian territory by its navy released on Wednesday has cleared government policy of blame for the incursions, which contributed to a sharp deterioration in relations between the neighbors.
Safety risk after Australia publishes asylum seekers’ details
SYDNEY (Reuters) – Australia has inadvertently made public the identities of almost 10,000 asylum seekers, the department of immigration said on Wednesday, raising concerns it could help locate people fleeing persecution and thus place them in greater …
How Hungary’s government shaped public media to its mould
BUDAPEST (Reuters) – On June 21, 2011 Hungarian Prime Minister Viktor Orban made a first appearance in what would become a regular slot on MR1 radio’s news show.
Venezuela opposition leader surrenders, protesters flood streets
CARACAS (Reuters) – Venezuelan security forces arrested opposition leader Leopoldo Lopez on Tuesday on charges of fomenting unrest that has killed at least four people, bringing tens of thousands of his angry supporters onto the streets of Caracas.
El Salvador president fine after hip operation: wife
SAN SALVADOR (Reuters) – El Salvador’s President Mauricio Funes is recovering following an emergency hip operation on Tuesday after he hurt himself in a fall, his wife said.
Looking for Syria options, U.S. remains cool to using force
WASHINGTON (Reuters) – Despite a forthcoming review of options in the deteriorating Syria crisis, the White House on Tuesday signaled that President Barack Obama remains wary of any direct U.S. involvement in the three-year-old civil war.
China probes another ally of retired domestic security chief
BEIJING (Reuters) – A former aide to retired Chinese security tsar Zhou Yongkang is being investigated for corruption, the government said, the latest move targeting associates of Zhou, himself the subject of a graft probe.
Australia aims for global growth agreement at G20 meeting
SYDNEY (Reuters) – Australia will use its presidency of the Group of 20 advanced and emerging economies to push for agreements on strengthening global growth and to generate ideas on funding public infrastructure, Treasurer Joe Hockey said on Wednesday…