WELLINGTON, Feb 1 (Reuters) – Former captain Ross Taylor has returned to the New Zealand squads for this month’s one day internationals and Twenty20s against England. Taylor did not tour South Africa after he was dumped as captain late last year by coach Mike Hesson following the tour of Sri Lanka, an incident which prompted a credibility crisis for New Zealand Cricket. The aggressive 28-year-old righthander has only recently returned to first class cricket for Central Districts. “Ross is a world class batsman who is a key part of this Black Caps side,” Hesson said in a statement. …
UK government drags heels on flood protection - MPs
LONDON (Reuters) – The UK government came under fire on Friday from a committee of members of Parliament for dragging its heels on flood protection, after 2012 went down as the second wettest year since records began and floods wreaked havoc across the country. The Environment, Food and Rural Affairs Select Committee criticised the government’s approach to tackling flooding in a review of the government’s draft water bill which proposes market reform among water utilities. …
Taiwan's vice premier Jiang to be premier
TAIPEI (Reuters) – Taiwan’s vice premier Jiang Yih-Huah will replace premier Sean Chen as part of a cabinet reshuffle, the presidential office said in statement issued late on Thursday. Mao Chi-kuo, the transportation minister, will take over as vice premier, the statement said. (Reporting by Faith Hung; Editing by Paul Tait)
Explosion rocks Mexican oil giant Pemex's offices, one dead
MEXICO CITY (Reuters) – An explosion rocked the Mexico City headquarters of state oil giant Pemex on Thursday, k illing one person, injuring more than 20 others and causing extensive damage to the building, officials said. The blast, which media reports said was caused by machinery exploding, hit the lower floors of the building. A local emergency official said one person died and 22 others were injured. Another four people were trapped inside the skyscraper, the official said. "The place shook, we lost power and suddenly there was debris everywhere. … Informant in Galleon insider-trading case gets a year in prison
NEW YORK (Reuters) – Roomy Khan, a one-time technology c ompany executive who became a key FBI informant in the insider-trading case against hedge-fund manager Raj Rajaratnam, was sentenced to 12 months in prison on Thursday. Her defense lawyer had sought five years of probation for Khan, 54, who pleaded guilty in 2009 to securities fraud, obstruction of justice and conspiracy. U.S. District Judge Jed Rakoff in Manhattan also ordered her to forfeit nearly $1.53 million. "As I reflect back, I am horrified by the choices I made," Khan said. … Analysis: Rate pressures on pensions wipe out billions in profits
(Reuters) – Pension charges wiped out more than $20 billion in fourth-quarter earnings at major American companies, as persistently low interest rates leave some of those with the largest retiree burde ns no choice but to assume they need more money now to cover liabilities later. Actuaries warn there is little chance for improvement on the horizon for defined benefit pension programs, as rates linger at historically low levels and the Federal Reserve shows no inclination to raise them. The only hope, they say, is for rates to turn around – though when, no one really knows. … PQ wants to erase the deficit, to help achieve independence
ESTEREL, Que. – The Parti Quebecois government says it has to tightly control the province’s finances -- not just to balance the budget, or please the markets, but to prove it can run a country.
Armenia presidential candidate shot, election in doubt
YEREVAN (Reuters) – An Armenian presidential candidate was wounded by unknown gunmen in the capital Yerevan on Thursday night, police said, in an attack that could delay February’s election. Paruyr Hayrikyan, whose life was not in danger after the shooting, is one of eight candidates running in the February 18 vote but is not seen as a strong challenger to Serzh Sarksyan, who is expected to be re-elected for a second five-year term. However, according to Armenia’s constitution, the election could be postponed by two weeks if a candidate is unable to campaign or run. …
Argentina rejects meeting with Falklands government
BUENOS AIRES (Reuters) – Argentina on Thursday rejected an invitation from Britain to a meeting that would include representatives of the government of the Falkland Islands, further hardening the diplomatic stalemate over the South Atlantic archipelago. Argentine Foreign Minister Hector Timerman said in an open letter to his British counterpart William Hague that only a bi-lateral meeting between Argentina and Britain would be acceptable. The two countries fought a 10-week war in 1982 over the Falklands, which are part of Britain’s self-governing overseas territories. …
At desolate Algeria gas plant, hope for new start
TIGUENTOURINE, Algeria (Reuters) – Algerian engineers at the In Amenas natural gas plant are working to get at least some of the desert facility back to work in the coming days, two weeks after three dozen foreign workers were killed in an Isl amist hostage siege. Lying deep in the Sahara, the site was surrounded by troops with armored vehicles when Algerian officials gave journalists a first view of the area since gunmen attacked on January 15 and seized hundreds of hostages before the army stormed in four days later. … Black ex-coaches say NFL's Rooney Rule on minority hiring 'not working the way it should'
NEW ORLEANS – Three black former NFL head coaches say the league needs to rethink its Rooney Rule for promoting minority hiring after 15 top vacancies -- eight head coaching jobs and seven general manager positions -- were all filled by white candidates since the regular season ended a month ago.
Parti Quebecois member cleared by inquiry after vehicle linked to Mob hangout
MONTREAL – Quebec’s corruption inquiry is retracting evidence that suggested a Parti Quebecois member’s company once had a vehicle parked outside a Mafia hangout.
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