Germany’s SPD demands tax on rich despite Merkel veto
BERLIN (Reuters) – Germany’s center-left Social Democrats hope to reach a deal to raise taxes on the rich even though Chancellor Angela Merkel’s conservatives are opposed, an SPD leader said on Saturday.
Miami Herald reporter detained in Venezuela
CARACAS (Reuters) – Venezuelan authorities were holding an American journalist from the Miami Herald for a third day on Saturday after he was picked up near the border with Colombia reporting on economic shortages and an upcoming local election, his co…
China opens key meeting to set economic reform agenda
BEIJING (Reuters) – Chinese leaders began a four-day secret meeting on Saturday to set a reform agenda for the next decade as they try to push more sustainable growth after three decades of breakneck expansion.
Argentina’s Fernandez given provisional greenlight to return to work
BUENOS AIRES (Reuters) – Argentine President Cristina Fernandez should be able to resume some work after being given a provisional greenlight by doctors, a government spokesman said on Saturday.
Hungary’s ruling party sees election in early April
BUDAPEST (Reuters) – Hungary will hold a parliamentary election in early April, the vice chairman of the ruling Fidesz party was quoted as saying on Saturday.
Exclusive: Supporters of China’s disgraced Bo Xilai set up political party
BEIJING (Reuters) – Supporters of China’s disgraced senior politician Bo Xilai, who has been jailed for corruption, have set up a political party, two separate sources said, in a direct challenge to the ruling Communist Party’s de facto ban on new poli…
Somali Islamists take responsibility for Mogadishu hotel bombing
MOGADISHU (Reuters) – Islamist al Shabaab rebels claimed responsibility on Saturday for a bomb that killed six people outside a popular Mogadishu hotel the day before, and said they deliberately targeted government officials and security forces.
U.S. ‘working tirelessly’ to restore UNESCO funding: ambassador
PARIS (Reuters) – The U.S. government is working hard to get Congress to restore its UNESCO funding, Washington’s ambassador to the U.N. cultural arm said on Saturday, after its voting rights were suspended over failure to pay up.
Britain says Iran nuclear deal uncertain despite progress
GENEVA (Reuters) – Britain said on Saturday important issues remain to be resolved at negotiations on Iran’s nuclear program and there was no certainty that a deal could be reached during this round of talks despite “very good progress” so far.
Growing New Zealand backlash targets online sex braggarts
WELLINGTON (Reuters) – Anger is growing in New Zealand against a group of teenagers who bragged on Facebook about having sex with drunk, underage girls, with nationwide public protests being planned for next week.
