Japan lawmaker breaks taboo with nuclear fears letter for emperor
TOKYO (Reuters) – A Japanese lawmaker handed Emperor Akihito a letter on Thursday expressing fear about the health impact of the Fukushima nuclear disaster, breaking a taboo by trying to involve the emperor in politics.
Japan rejects Chinese protests over sea drills, denies interference
TOKYO (Reuters) – Japan on Friday denied interfering with Chinese military exercises in the western Pacific after Beijing lodged a formal diplomatic protest, saying China’s objections were unacceptable and it had acted in line with international law.
Venezuelan leader says construction workers see Chavez apparition
CARACAS (Reuters) – Venezuelan President Nicolas Maduro said an image of his political idol and predecessor, the late socialist leader Hugo Chavez, had appeared miraculously in the wall of an underground construction site.
Syria meets deadline to destroy chemical production facilities
BEIRUT (Reuters) – Syria has destroyed or rendered inoperable all of its declared chemical weapons production and mixing facilities, meeting a major deadline in an ambitious disarmament program, the international chemical weapons watchdog said Thursday…
Colombian president’s ratings inch higher as unrest cools
BOGOTA (Reuters) – Colombian President Juan Manuel Santos’ popularity rebounded slightly from a record low for his administration as people felt more upbeat about the economy after a violent farm protest in August hurt his approval ratings, a leading p…
Peru’s Humala swears in fourth prime minister, retains finance minister
LIMA (Reuters) – Peru’s President Ollanta Humala swore in a widely praised regional politician as his fourth prime minister in a Cabinet reshuffle on Thursday, but retained his finance minister despite rumors he might quit.
Congo rebels retreat, but unclear if rebellion near end: U.S. envoy
WASHINGTON (Reuters) – Recent military advances by U.N.-backed Congolese troops in crushing a 20-month rebellion in the east are a major step, but it is too soon to say if the M23 rebels are on the brink of defeat, a senior U.S. official said on Thursd…
Colombia defense minister says troop cuts after peace ‘big mistake’
BOGOTA (Reuters) – It would be a “big mistake” for Colombia to reduce troop numbers or cut its security budget if a peace agreement is signed with Marxist FARC rebels to end a half century of war, the defense minister said on Thursday.
Strong earthquake strikes off Chilean coast, no damage reported
SANTIAGO (Reuters) – A magnitude 6.6 earthquake struck off the coast of Chile on Thursday, the United States Geological Survey reported.
Iraqi leader blames regional unrest for revival of al Qaeda in Iraq
WASHINGTON (Reuters) – Iraqi Prime Minister Nouri al-Maliki said on Thursday he was seeking U.S. help to counter a resurgent al Qaeda in his country and blamed the revival of the extremist group on power vacuums in the region rather than divisive Iraqi…
