Thai government admits lack of power to renew troubled rice scheme
BANGKOK (Reuters) – Thailand’s caretaker government said on Tuesday it did not have the power to renew a rice subsidy scheme when it expires at the end of the month, risking further alienating farmers angry over late payments for their current crop.
Japan may lift arms export ban for international groups: Kyodo
TOKYO (Reuters) – Japan may allow exports of defense equipment to international organizations such as those involved in U.N. peacekeeping operations on condition they do not take sides in conflicts, Kyodo News reported on Tuesday.
Panama Canal’s ex-administrator to blame for dispute: President
PANAMA CITY (Reuters) – The Panama Canal’s former administrator is largely to blame for a dispute that threatens a multibillion-dollar expansion of the waterway and should have flagged doubts about Spanish builder Sacyr, President Ricardo Martinelli sa…
Ex-Guatemalan army officer tied to massacre sentenced to U.S. prison
LOS ANGELES (Reuters) – A former Guatemalan army commander convicted of covering up his role in a massacre during that country’s bloody civil war in order to gain U.S. citizenship was sentenced on Monday to 10 years in federal prison.
Second round of Syria talks makes faltering start
GENEVA/BEIRUT (Reuters) – A second round of Syria peace talks got off to a shaky start on Monday, with the two sides complaining about violations of a local ceasefire and an Islamist offensive respectively in separate meetings with the international me…
U.S. grants $20 million to rebuild schools destroyed in Texas blast
DALLAS (Reuters) – The federal government has awarded $20 million in grants to rebuild two schools that were destroyed last year in the central Texas town of West by a deadly fertilizer plant explosion, officials said on Monday.
Cyprus peace talks to resume seeking end to bitter conflict
NICOSIA (Reuters) – Peace talks resume in divided Cyprus on Tuesday in a fresh attempt to end one of Europe’s most enduring conflicts and a decades-old obstacle to Turkey’s hopes of joining the European Union.
Ex-Guatemalan army officer tied to massacre sentenced to U.S. prison
LOS ANGELES (Reuters) – A former Guatemalan army commander convicted of covering up his role in the massacre of 250 men, women and children during that country’s bloody civil war in order to gain U.S. citizenship was sentenced on Monday to 10 years in …
Iran test-fires long-range missile: minister
ANKARA (Reuters) – Iran’s military has successfully test-fired two new domestically made missiles, the defense minister said on Monday according to state television, ahead of talks with world powers to try to reach an agreement on curbing Tehran’s nucl…
Brazil cameraman pronounced brain dead after protest injury
RIO DE JANEIRO (Reuters) – A Brazilian television cameraman was pronounced brain dead by surgeons at a Rio de Janeiro hospital Monday, four days after a firework lit by a protester struck him in the head.
