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.
Venezuela seeks to tame ‘Wild West’ motorcycle chaos
CARACAS (Reuters) – Choking traffic, causing pileups and even ambushing drivers, Venezuela’s hordes of motorcyclists are an increasingly high-profile problem for the new government of President Nicolas Maduro.
Four Turkish MPs to attend parliament in head scarves, first time in 15 years
ANKARA (Reuters) – Four female lawmakers from Turkey’s Islamist-rooted ruling party plan to wear their Islamic head scarves in parliament on Thursday in a challenge to the country’s secular tradition.
China slams ‘dangerous provocation’ by Japan by shadowing sea drill
BEIJING (Reuters) – China’s Defence Ministry said on Thursday it has lodged a formal diplomatic complaint over what it called “dangerous provocation” by Japan for shadowing Chinese military exercises in the western Pacific.
Murdoch backs Australian immigration despite backing new government
SYDNEY (Reuters) – Australia should throw open its doors to immigrants to make the country more competitive, media mogul Rupert Murdoch said on Thursday, in contrast to his backing for the new government’s tough policy on asylum seekers.
IMF urges Ukraine government to raise gas prices at home
KIEV (Reuters) – An International Monetary Fund mission visiting Ukraine has urged the Kiev government to raise gas prices for domestic consumers and introduce a flexible exchange rate for the national currency, the hryvnia, a Fund official said on Thu…
China state media calls for stern action after Tiananmen attack
TURPAN, China (Reuters) – Chinese state media demanded severe punishment on Thursday to put down what China has said is a holy war aimed at Beijing by Islamist militants from the restive Xinjiang region.
Zimbabwe court scraps controversial Mugabe insult law
HARARE (Reuters) – Zimbabwe’s highest court has scrapped a law against insulting the president that has been used to arrest opponents and critics of veteran leader Robert Mugabe, a court official said on Thursday.
China demands U.S. explain spying allegations linked to Australian missions
BEIJING (Reuters) – China is demanding an explanation from the United States after a report in an Australian newspaper said Australian embassies, including the one in Beijing, were being used as part of a U.S.-led spying operation.
India’s Modi aims at history and Gandhis with world’s tallest statue
NEW DELHI (Reuters) – Indian opposition leader Narendra Modi launched the construction of the world’s tallest statue on Thursday, a $338 million project in honor of one of the country’s founding fathers, that he is using to undermine the ruling Nehru-G…
