Unpaid Thai rice farmers may protest, adding to PM’s woes
BANGKOK (Reuters) – Thai farmers who have not been paid by the state for rice bought under an intervention scheme are threatening to block roads in 26 provinces, adding to the problems of Prime Minister Yingluck Shinawatra, who called a snap election t…
China professor says sacked for criticizing president and not recanting
SHANGHAI (Reuters) – A Chinese university has fired a professor for failing to admit wrongdoing in posting an article criticizing President Xi Jinping, the academic said on Wednesday, underscoring questions about academic freedoms for foreign colleges …
China cuts more red tape, paves way for NDRC slim-down
BEIJING (Reuters) – China has stripped dozens of powers away from central government ministries as it bids to cut red tape and prevent Beijing’s army of bureaucrats from micromanaging the world’s second-largest economy.
Ukrainian police take back part of square from protesters
KIEV (Reuters) – Ukrainian riot police moved in force early on Wednesday into part of the Kiev square where protesters are demonstrating against a government decision to rebuild trade ties with Russia rather than move closer to the European Union.
Mexican Senate prepares to vote on historic energy bill
MEXICO CITY (Reuters) – Mexico’s Senate on Tuesday debated a landmark energy overhaul bill at the center of President Enrique Pena Nieto’s economic reform drive, after the country’s two biggest political parties hammered out a draft presented over the …
Colombia’s ousted Bogota mayor rallies thousands in protest
BOGOTA (Reuters) – Waving banners and chanting his name, thousands of supporters of Colombia’s leftist Bogota mayor converged on the capital’s central plaza on Tuesday to express outrage at his ouster and 15-year ban from holding political office.
Uruguay becomes first country to legalize marijuana trade
MONTEVIDEO (Reuters) – Uruguay became the first country to legalize the growing, sale and smoking of marijuana on Tuesday, a pioneering social experiment that will be closely watched by other nations debating drug liberalization.
Czech parties reach deal to form center-left government
PRAGUE (Reuters) – The Czech Republic’s Social Democrats reached a coalition deal with two other parties late on Tuesday, agreeing to leave taxes on companies and high earners unchanged next year to help clear the way for a center-left government to ta…
Japan household helper plan shows wider immigration dilemma
TOKYO (Reuters) – During the early days of “Abenomics,” U.S. businesses were optimistic they could convince Japan’s government to make a small change to the nation’s tight immigration rules to let more household helpers into the country.
Nicaragua’s assembly approves plan to end presidential term limits
MANAGUA (Reuters) – Nicaragua’s national assembly on Tuesday approved a constitutional change to remove presidential term limits, which could allow incumbent Daniel Ortega stay in power for years and raises concerns about democracy in the country.
