Hong Kong leader takes aim at poverty, housing in policy speech
HONG KONG (Reuters) – Hong Kong leader Leung Chun-ying on Wednesday pledged to spend about HK$3 billion ($387 million) a year to help tackle poverty in a policy speech dominated by bread-and-butter issues that some saw as an attempt to dodge discussion…
Specter of disease in Tonga after Cyclone Ian batters islands
CANBERRA (Reuters) – Widespread destruction caused by a tropical cyclone that hit the South Pacific island nation of Tonga last week is raising fears of a disease outbreak in the island kingdom.
Japan says it will approve Fukushima operator’s revival plan
TOKYO (Reuters) – Japan’s trade ministry said it would approve on Wednesday a revival plan for the utility responsible for the Fukushima nuclear disaster, Tokyo Electric Power Co, its second attempt at restoring battered finances.
Australia tightens secrecy over ‘success’ in blocking asylum seekers
Canberra (Reuters) – Australia’s government on Wednesday touted its success in deterring asylum seekers from arriving by boat, even as it moved to further restrict access to information about its secretive immigration policies.
Western spies contact Damascus to discuss security, Syria says
DUBAI (Reuters) – The intelligence services of some Western countries opposed to Syrian President Bashar al-Assad have visited Damascus to discuss security cooperation with his government, Syria’s deputy foreign minister said in remarks broadcast on We…
Communist Party expels former executive at China Mobile parent
HONG KONG (Reuters) – A former senior executive at China Mobile Ltd’s state-owned parent has been expelled from the Communist Party amid a company-wide probe into suspected corruption.
Argentine poet, political critic Gelman dies in Mexico
MEXICO CITY (Reuters) – Juan Gelman, the celebrated Argentine poet and fierce critic of the South American nation’s “dirty war” against leftists, died Tuesday in Mexico City, Mexico’s national art council said.
U.N. says South Sudan army, rebels stealing humanitarian aid
UNITED NATIONS (Reuters) – U.N. Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon on Tuesday accused South Sudan’s army and rebels led by former Vice President Riek Machar of stealing food aid and vehicles used to deliver humanitarian relief as the country teeters on the …
Fire at Chinese shoe factory kills 16: Xinhua
BEIJING (Reuters) – A fire at a shoe factory in eastern China killed 16 people and injured five, state media reported, the latest disaster to highlight China’s poor workplace safety record.
Costa Rica ruling party leads in presidential poll
SAN JOSE (Reuters) – Costa Rica’s ruling party presidential candidate bolstered his lead over a left wing challenger in a poll ahead of a February 2 election, local media reported on Tuesday, but a tight run-off vote seemed likely.
