Thai court delays $9.5 billion flood management project
BANGKOK (Reuters) – A Thai court on Thursday ordered the suspension of planned flood control projects worth around 290 billion baht ($9.5 billion) pending a public hearing, causing delays to a scheme aimed at preventing a repeat of devastating floods i…
Merkel tells Turkey democratic values ‘non-negotiable’ for EU
BERLIN (Reuters) – German Chancellor Angela Merkel said on Thursday she welcomed an agreement to reopen talks with Turkey about joining the European Union but warned in the light of the crackdown on Turkish anti-government protests that democratic valu…
Portuguese stage general strike against relentless austerity
LISBON (Reuters) – Portuguese trade unions staged a one-day general strike on Thursday against relentless austerity which has deepened the worst economic slump since the 1970s, but support outside the public transport sector was patchy and the governme…
Rudd sworn in as Australian PM after overthrowing Gillard
CANBERRA (Reuters) – Kevin Rudd was sworn in as Australian prime minister for the second time on Thursday, a day after toppling Julia Gillard and three months ahead of elections in which opinion polls show the ruling Labor Party faces a devastating def…
Analysis: Big poll win for Japan PM Abe’s party could defeat bold economy reform
TOKYO (Reuters) – Will the real Shinzo Abe please stand up?
U.S. boss held captive by angry Chinese employees released
BEIJING (Reuters) – Chinese factory workers on Thursday released their U.S. boss whom they had held captive for a week over a compensation dispute, a company official said.
Mongolian president wins second term amid focus on mining curbs
ULAN BATOR (Reuters) – Mongolia’s incumbent president, Tsakhia Elbegdorj, who wants more controls on foreign mining investments, has emerged as the winner of Wednesday’s polls with a narrow majority of votes cast, the country’s election commission said…
Tunisia frees three Europeans jailed for topless feminist protest
TUNIS (Reuters) – A Tunisian court on Wednesday decided to release three European feminist activists who staged a topless protest in Tunis last month against the Islamist-led government.
Venezuelan government says recording proves opposition plots
CARACAS (Reuters) – Venezuela’s government released a recording on Wednesday of a well-known opposition lawmaker apparently criticizing the head of the opposition coalition and accusing him of meeting U.S. officials to provoke a crisis in the OPEC nati…
Egypt’s Mursi offers to listen, opponents unimpressed
CAIRO (Reuters) – President Mohamed Mursi offered opponents a say in amending Egypt’s constitution, but railed against “enemies” he accused of undermining the new democracy in a defiant speech ahead of mass protests planned to demand that he step down….
