Scandal-hit Spain plummets 10 places in global corruption index
BERLIN (Reuters) – Spain has slumped 10 places to a rank of 40 in a global index of perceived official corruption after a spate of scandals in its ruling center-right ruling party and the royal family, watchdog Transparency International (TI) said.
Ukraine protesters urge general strike as markets hit currency
KIEV (Reuters) – Ukrainian protesters blockaded the main government building on Monday, seeking to force President Viktor Yanukovich from office with a general strike after hundreds of thousands demonstrated against his decision to abandon an EU integr…
Thai police hunker down as protests rage
BANGKOK (Reuters) – Teargas, water cannons, rubber bullets, stun grenades that detonate with a bone-rattling thud – Bangkok protests have become much gentler.
Exclusive: Comrade of American held in N.Korea recalls friendship, stealth mission
(Reuters) – In early 1953, Merrill Newman and Allen Hedges were among a small group of U.S. servicemen hunkered down on a tiny, frequently shelled island off the west coast of North Korea.
Power outage plunges most of Venezuela into darkness
CARACAS (Reuters) – Venezuela’s second massive power outage of the year plunged much of the nation into darkness on Monday night, prompting renewed talk of sabotage from President Nicolas Maduro’s government and cries of incompetence from its foes.
Hong Kong milkshake murderer loses appeal against second conviction
HONG KONG (Reuters) – American expatriate Nancy Kissel, who is serving a life sentence for the “milkshake” murder of her Merrill Lynch banker husband, lost a bid to appeal against her conviction in Hong Kong on Tuesday.
Thai PM calls for talks, protest leader defiant
BANGKOK (Reuters) – Thai Prime Minister Yingluck Shinawatra said on Monday she would “open every door” to find a peaceful solution to a political crisis gripping Bangkok as police used rubber bullets against protesters seeking to topple her government….
Mexican Congress committees give green light to electoral reform
MEXICO CITY (Reuters) – Mexican congressional committees on Monday gave the green light to an electoral reform demanded by the opposition, paving the way for lawmakers to push ahead with the energy sector overhaul at the center of President Enrique Pen…
Ukraine protesters urge general strike as markets hit currency
KIEV (Reuters) – Ukrainian protesters blockaded the main government building on Monday, seeking to force President Viktor Yanukovich from office with a general strike after hundreds of thousands demonstrated against his decision to abandon an EU integr…
Colombian president ‘optimistic’ about peace, to meet Obama Tuesday
MIAMI (Reuters) – Colombian President Juan Manuel Santos, bound for Washington on an official visit, said on Monday he remains cautiously optimistic about peace talks with Marxist FARC rebels taking place in Cuba.
