The Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development (MARD) will, together with the World Economic Forum (WEF), work out an action plan for the Public-Private Partnership (PPP) in agriculture sector during the 2014-2018 period.

Thai police have said an anti-government protest leader was killed and at least five others were injured on January 26 in Bangkok. Suthin Tharathin was shot dead while speaking before a crowd, according to a spokesperson for the protesters.

The powerful blast was felt across Cairo and black smoke could be seen rising over the city centre.

Three-quarters of the Districts indicated that retail activity had increased since the last Beige Book report. The exceptions were St. Louis and Kansas City, where retail results were mixed, and the Richmond District, which cited a softening of retail sales.

The Association of South East Asian Nations hopes China will increase investment in the region, a senior ASEAN official has said.

Chickens at a farm in Wanjia village of Yangxin County showed symptoms of suspected avian flu and 3,200 died on Jan 7.

 Thai PM Yingluck Shinawatra (middle) Thai caretaker prime minister Yingluck Shinawatra assigned a deputy prime minister to hold meeting with all sides concerned on the Election Commission's proposal to postpone the February 2 election.

The protesters are building barricades and occupying key road junctions.