Ireland, Britain to seek to re-establish Northern Ireland talks
DUBLIN (Reuters) – The Irish and British governments will seek a way to get talks on restoring Northern Ireland’s power-sharing government back on track and neither is contemplating a return of direct rule from London, Ireland’s foreign minister said o…
China angered as Indian PM visits disputed border region
BEIJING (Reuters) – China on Thursday expressed anger over a visit by Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi to the remote Indian state of Arunachal Pradesh, which China also claims, and said India should stop any action that might complicate the dispute….
Kenyan court revokes deportation of opposition-linked lawyer
NAIROBI (Reuters) – A Kenyan court on Thursday revoked the deportation of a lawyer who “swore in” opposition leader Raila Odinga as the country’s “president” in a direct challenge to the government of President Uhuru Kenyatta, local television station …
UK blames Russia for cyber attack, says won’t tolerate disruption
LONDON/MOSCOW (Reuters) – Britain blamed Russia on Thursday for a cyber-attack last year, publicly pointing the finger at Moscow for spreading a virus which disrupted companies across Europe including UK-based Reckitt Benckiser .
Pentagon chief urges Turkey to stay focused on fighting Islamic State
BRUSSELS (Reuters) – U.S. Defense Secretary Jim Mattis urged Turkey to remain focused on fighting Islamic State militants in Syria, a Pentagon statement on Thursday said.
Moderate Nepali communist Oli to ‘balance China, India’ as new PM
KATHMANDU (Reuters) – Nepal President Bidhya Devi Bhandari on Thursday appointed moderate communist K.P. Sharma Oli, who led an alliance with former Maoist rebels to a sweeping victory in recent elections, as prime minister.
Taiwan president wishes China happy new year, gets warm response
TAIPEI (Reuters) – Taiwan President Tsai Ing-wen wished “friends” in China a happy Lunar New Year on Thursday, drawing a surprisingly warm reaction from Chinese state media which is more used to disparaging her as a dangerous separatist.
South Africa starts long walk back to post-Zuma rehabilitation
CAPE TOWN (Reuters) – Cyril Ramaphosa is to be confirmed as South Africa’s president in a parliamentary vote on Thursday after scandal-ridden Jacob Zuma reluctantly resigned on orders from the ruling African National Congress.
Australia PM bans sex between ministers and staff after deputy’s ‘shocking’ affair
SYDNEY (Reuters) – Australian Prime Minister Malcolm Turnbull on Thursday banned sex between ministers and staff and rounded on his deputy for a “shocking error of judgment” by having an affair with a press secretary.
More than 10,000 Afghan civilians killed or wounded last year, U.N. says
KABUL (Reuters) – More than 10,000 Afghan civilians were killed or wounded in violence last year, the United Nations said on Thursday, with militant bombings the main cause while air strikes by U.S. and government forces inflicted a rising toll.
