Photos of the Day: March 31

In today’s pictures, Turkey’s prime minister celebrates his party’s victory in elections, a trainload of Russian tanks arrives in Crimea, the re-election campaign of Toronto’s mayor is spoofed, and more.

Excerpt from: Photos of the Day: March 31

Remote Cabin Enjoys World's Fastest Internet

A small cabin in an isolated outpost near the North Pole has been fitted with some of the highest quality Internet available.

Continued here: Remote Cabin Enjoys World’s Fastest Internet

Japan Eases Rules on Sales of Military Equipment

The new guidelines are in line with Prime Minister Shinzo Abe’s policy of having the defense establishment play a greater role.

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U.K. Watchdog Criticizes Royal Mail Privatization

The British government could have achieved a better deal for the taxpayer when it privatized Royal Mail in October, the country’s independent public spending watchdog said.

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Koreas Trade Fire Amid North's Drills

North Korea fired artillery across its maritime border with South Korea in the Yellow Sea as part of a military drill, prompting South Korea to return fire in the latest reminder of the unstable security situation on the Korean peninsula.

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Japan Business Sentiment Set to Weaken Sharply

The Bank of Japan’s tankan survey of big manufacturers shows business sentiment falling for the next three months as firms grow more cautious about the impact of a national sales tax increase and skepticism builds over Abenomics.

Excerpt from: Japan Business Sentiment Set to Weaken Sharply

Japanese Inflation Fails to Lift Spirits

Prices are finally rising in Japan after years of deflation, but for

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Japan Institute Finds Misconduct in Stem-Cell Studies

Hailed two months ago as a national hero and Nobel hopeful, a young Japanese stem-cell researcher faced allegations Tuesday that she betrayed science with a string of fabrications.

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Global Warming Impacts Widespread, U.N. Panel Says

Global warming has already had a widespread effect and the problem will become increasingly difficult to manage as the planet continues to warm, scientists said in the most comprehensive report on climate change.

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German Minister Compares Russian Actions in Crimea to Nazis

Finance Minister Wolfgang Schäuble said President Putin’s argument that he had a duty to protect Russian minorities abroad mirrored Hitler’s pretext for invading the Sudetenland.

Originally posted here: German Minister Compares Russian Actions in Crimea to Nazis

Ecuador Expects to Finish EU Trade Negotiations by Midyear

Ecuador expects to close negotiations for a trade agreement with the European Union during the first half of this year, and sign the accord in 2015, Foreign Trade Minister Francisco Rivadeneira says.

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CIA Interrogations Criticized in Senate Report

A classified Senate report on the Central Intelligence Agency’s post-9/11 interrogation program contends the agency misrepresented the program to both the Justice Department and Congress, according to U.S. officials.

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India's BJP Says Economy Would Be First Priority

India’s Hindu nationalist Bharatiya Janata Party said Monday that if it wins national elections set to begin next week, its first priority would be to revive investment in the country’s slowing economy.

Original post: India’s BJP Says Economy Would Be First Priority

Many Afghans Intent on Voting, Despite Terror

The Taliban’s violent onslaught to disrupt presidential elections has failed to tamp down the enthusiasm of ordinary Afghans for the election, in which the country will pick a new leader after 13 years under President Karzai.

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Italy's Renzi Turns to IMF Veteran

To take an ax to Italy’s unwieldy public spending, its prime minister has turned to former IMF veteran Carlo Cottarelli, who has vowed to scour everything from luxury cars for bureaucrats to film-festival subsidies.

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China New Home Prices Moderate in March

China’s housing market showed a further slowdown in March as new data indicated that price growth moderated in more cities with developers slashing prices to attract buyers.

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South Korea's Exports Pick Up

South Korea’s exports in March grew faster than the previous month, bolstering views that Asia’s fourth-largest economy is picking up steam on growing demand from overseas.

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Thailand Inflation Accelerates

Thailand’s consumer-price index in March was up 2.11% from a year earlier, accelerating slightly from February’s 1.96% pace, driven by volatile food and energy prices.

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ADB: China's Slowdown to Hit Asia's Developing Economies

China’s economic growth will slow to 7.5% this year and that will weigh on overall growth in Asia’s developing countries, the Asian Development Bank said.

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Euro-Zone Jobless Rate Stays High

The euro zone’s economic recovery has been too weak to significantly reduce the number of people without jobs, with the unemployment rate unchanged since October.

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Export Rebound Eludes Asia

Stronger growth in the West raised hopes of an export-driven rebound in Asian economies, but so far this hasn’t happened.

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Thai Antigovernment Protester Killed

At least one protester was killed and four others hurt after unidentified gunmen fired on an antigovernment convoy in Bangkok.

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Venezuela High Court Backs Move to Oust Opposition Leader

Venezuela’s Supreme Court backed the government’s move to strip a top opposition congresswoman of her title, a move that sparked accusations the court lacks independence.

Original post: Venezuela High Court Backs Move to Oust Opposition Leader

Young Protesters Shaking Up Taiwan's China Policy

The youth of Taiwan have for years been seen as being so soft and easily squashed they’ve been dubbed the “strawberry generation” by their hardworking elders. But a student-led movement that has crystallized opposition to a trade pact with China is proving that young Taiwanese are a force to be reckoned with.

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Brazil Kicks Up Beer, Soda Tax

The Brazilian government on Tuesday said it has raised taxes on beer and soft drinks just in time to reap a windfall from the soccer World Cup in June and July.

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Poland's Reliance on Russian Natural Gas Eases

Poland’s reliance on Russian natural gas eased significantly on Tuesday after Germany completed an investment allowing Poland to meet the bulk of its consumption needs

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Slowing Economy Leaves Chinese Leaders With Tough Choice

China’s manufacturing and property sectors slid further last month, leaving Chinese leaders with what economists said is a tough choice of accepting the economic slowdown under way or stimulating the economy at the risk of exacerbating longer-term problems.

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France's Valls Faces Austerity Challenge

One of the first economic tasks facing France’s new prime minister will be to lead a renewed offensive against the European Union’s prescription of austerity.

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Drone Found Near Korean Sea Border

South Korean military authorities are investigating a drone that crashed on an island near the disputed sea border with North Korea, the defense ministry in Seoul said.

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Russia Troop Shift Does Little to Calm Kiev

Russia signaled it was pulling some troops away from its border with Ukraine, a move that met with skepticism in the West.

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China's Line in the Sea

China bases its claims in the South China Sea on a line made up of nine dashes that loops down almost to Indonesia like a giant lolling tongue, but has never properly explained what it represents.

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Greece to Sell Long-Term Bonds

Greece is planning to issue its first long-term bond since it was bailed out by euro-zone countries and the International Monetary Fund.

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Chinese Dragnet Entangles Family of Party Luminary

Chinese authorities have detained associates and family members of former security chief Zhou Yongkang, once head of China National Petroleum, in a sprawling investigation.

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Photos of the Day: March 30

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In Thailand, Copyright Enforcement Comes as a Shock

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Libya Fund Accuses SocGen of Fraud

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