China’s leader speaks about the growing border disputes with the country’s neighbors – A country declares an emergency because of Dengue Fever – And Uruguay's lower house approves the legal sale of Marijuana.

Uruguay's lower house approves bill to legalize sale of marijuana.  Proponents say allowing people to grow it and use it at home would take the wind (and money) out of the drug dealers, which are getting rich importing weed from neighboring Paraguay.  President Jose Mujica says prohibition doesn’t work and he’d rather devote police resources to fighting street crime and smugglers involved in trafficking more dangerous types of drugs.  If it goes on to be approved by the Senate (the upper, or "higher" house, if you will), Uruguay will become the first country to legally regulate the production, distribution and sale of marijuana.

Chinese President Xi Jinping told his Politburo he wants to resolve its maritime territorial disputes peacefully and through talks, but would not compromise on sovereignty and had to step up its defensive capabilities.  China’s territorial claims in the South China Sea go way beyond anything recognized by the international community, and is trying to claim islands recognized as part of Japan for more than 100 years.

Honduras has declared a state of emergency because of an outbreak of Degue Fever.  More than 12,000 cases have been diagnosed so far and 16 people have died.  The government is putting millions of dollars into wiping out the mosquito that spreads the disease, and not to have a repeat of the outbreak from three years ago which killed 83 people.

Two workers at the Cuban Pharmacy and Food Institute stole what they thought was rum from a warehouse, and sold it to drinkers in Havana; it turned out to be wood alcohol.  Seven people are dead, dozens are hospitalized, and the government is trying to get anyone who might have drank some to come forward for medical treatment.  The two workers might face criminal charges.

Zimbabwe is counting the votes after Wednesday’s election. Turnout was high in a fierce contest between 33-year dictator Robert Mugabe's Zanu-PF Party, and his main rival Prime Minister Morgan Tsvangirai's MDC Party.  Election monitors say the balloting was “orderly”.

The former head of the International Monetary Fund Dominique Strauss-Kahn says, “Politics for me is in the past.”  His renunciation was pretty much decided for him last week when France filed pimping charges against him.  Formerly the world’s most powerful banker, DSK saw his presidential plans vaporize after a series of seedy sex scandals, and is now advising Russian firms and the Serbian government.

Spain's Prime Minister Mariano Rajoy is expected to appear in parliament on Thursday to face new questions about evidence that he and other ruling party members took illegal slush-fund payments from wealthy campaign contributors, and allegedly buying off journalists with a major newspaper.  Opponents are calling on his to step down; he’s refusing.  It’s destabilizing Spain’s government at a time when the unemployment hovers above 25 percent.

Country music crooner Randy Travis was transferred from hospital in Texas where he suffered a stroke while being treated for a viral heart infection, to a physical therapy facility.  Doctors had indicated Travis will require months of intense physical therapy. Travis' fiance Mary Davis  said in a release, “Thanks to all the fans and friends for your continued prayers and support as Randy continues on the road to recovery.”