LONDON (Reuters) – With so many fretting about the rapid ageing of European societies and the rising burden of old-age dependency, it’s easy to overlook the mini baby booms in many countries. Often apocalyptic headlines on the greying of major economies and the “pensions timebomb” sit oddly with a growing body of data and reports of rising births and recovering fertility rates in many European economies, notably Britain. Only this week, the inside pages of many UK newspapers dropped the little nugget that England this year is set to record the highest number of births in 40 years. …
Source: Toronto Blue Jays get Johnson, Buehrle, Reyes, others from Miami Marlins
MIAMI – The Blue Jays have made a blockbuster trade with the Miami Marlins that will drastically revamp Toronto’s roster.
France recognizes new Syria opposition
CAIRO/PARIS (Reuters) – France became the first European power to recognize Syria's new opposition coalition as the sole representative of its people and said on Tuesday it would look into arming rebels against President Bashar al-Assad once they form a government. Tw enty months into their bloody uprising against Assad, fragmented Syrian opposition groups struck a deal in Qatar on Sunday to form a broad coalition and their leader immediately appealed for European backing. … China party enshrines tighter oversight after Bo Xilai scandal
BEIJING (Reuters) – China’s ruling Communist Party amended its guiding charter on Wednesday to tighten oversight of officials, a move reflecting the depth of concern about abuse of power in the wake of a scandal involving former political heavyweight Bo Xilai. The closing session of the five-yearly party congress also changed the party constitution to explicitly endorse reform and opening as “the path to a stronger China” and made a nod towards growing environmental problems by promoting “ecological progress” as part of the party’s development strategy. …
Analysis: Amazon faces new obstacles in fight for holiday dollars
SAN FRANCISCO (Reuters) – Amazon.com Inc's gift for dominating the holiday shopping season may lose some of its magic this year. The country's biggest brick-and-mortar reta ilers, from Wal-Mart Stores Inc and Target Corp to Toys "R" Us , are gunning for Amazon, competing more aggressively on price and offering speedier delivery through spruced-up websites and stores that double as distribution warehouses. The onslaught comes as Amazon's price advantage over physical retailers is being whittled down. … Party leader Hu Jintao steps down to clear the way for Xi Jinping to take the helm in China
BEIJING, China – President Hu Jintao has stepped aside as Communist Party leader to clear the way for Vice-President Xi Jinping to take the helm in China.
Pakistan agrees to free several Afghan Taliban prisoners
ISLAMABAD (Reuters) – Pakistan has agreed in talks with Afghan peace negotiators to free several Afghan Taliban prisoners, officials from both countries said on Wednesday, the clearest sign that Pakistan will put its weight behind Afghan reconciliation efforts. “We aren’t too certain whether they can play an important role in peace negotiations but it is a positive gesture from Pakistan in helping peace efforts,” an Afghan official told Reuters. …
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