Venezuela’s Maduro to seek decree powers in graft fight
CARACAS (Reuters) – Venezuela’s President Nicolas Maduro said on Monday he will ask for decree powers last used by his predecessor Hugo Chavez to ramp up a fight against corruption that has begun to cost him politically with supporters.
China cuts fees for some government services
BEIJING (Reuters) – China will reduce service fees charged by 14 government departments, the country’s top economic planning agency said on Tuesday, as part of Beijing’s efforts to cut red tape and promote reforms.
Spying scandal sets back U.S. chances for fighter jet sale to Brazil
BRASILIA (Reuters) – U.S. hopes of landing a coveted deal worth more than $4 billion to sell 36 fighter jets to Brazil have suffered a setback with recent revelations that the United States collected data on Brazilian Internet communications.
Analysis: Argentina’s Fernandez weakened by vote but still in charge
BUENOS AIRES (Reuters) – Argentine President Cristina Fernandez may be a lame duck after her coalition was thumped in a mid-term primary election, but with two years left in power she can still impose more of the capital and currency controls that have…
Keita wins Mali presidential vote after rival admits defeat
BAMAKO (Reuters) – Ibrahim Boubacar Keita, an ex-prime minister with a reputation for firmness, won Mali’s presidential election after his rival conceded defeat on Monday in a poll meant to draw a line under more than a year of turmoil.
Kerry backs peace talks during visit to U.S. ally Colombia
BOGOTA (Reuters) – Secretary of State John Kerry on Monday promised strong U.S. backing for peace talks aimed at ending Colombia’s half-century of conflict, calling the country a success story in a world where many states have failed or are failing.
Analysis: Argentina’s Fernandez now a lame duck, but one with teeth
BUENOS AIRES (Reuters) – Argentine President Cristina Fernandez may be a lame duck after her coalition was thumped in a mid-term primary election, but with two years left in power she can still impose more of the capital and currency controls that have…
Settlement expansion clouds peace talks, Palestinian prisoners to be freed
JERUSALEM (Reuters) – Israel’s announcement of plans to expand Jewish settlements on land Palestinians seek for a state clouded the Israeli-Palestinian peace talks convening in the Middle East this week for the first time in three years.
Dalai Lama’s China site hacked, infects others: expert
BOSTON (Reuters) – A prominent computer security firm warned that the Dalai Lama’s Chinese-language website has been hacked and is infecting visitors’ computers with viruses in what may to be an effort to spy on human rights activists who frequently vi…
Mexico proposes energy reform, some investors skeptical
MEXICO CITY (Reuters) – President Enrique Pena Nieto on Monday proposed an overhaul of Mexico’s energy industry to offer private companies profit-sharing contracts, but investors said it might be too cautious and some sold Mexican assets.
