Irish government survives confidence vote, pressure on PM rises
DUBLIN (Reuters) – Ireland’s minority government on Wednesday survived a parliamentary vote of no-confidence over its handling of a policing scandal, but Prime Minister Enda Kenny faced growing calls from members of his own party to step aside.
Exclusive: China ‘Silk Road’ project in Sri Lanka delayed as Beijing toughens stance
COLOMBO (Reuters) – China will delay a planned $1.1 billion investment in a port on its modern-day “Silk Road” until Sri Lanka clears legal and political obstacles to a related project, sources familiar with the talks said, piling more pressure on the …
German official says Trump undermines joint position towards Russia
BERLIN (Reuters) – The German government’s point man on Russia, Gernot Erler, has accused U.S. President Donald Trump of undermining the joint position of Western countries towards the Kremlin by creating uncertainty about his approach.
Palestinian Fatah faction picks deputy leader to Mahmoud Abbas
RAMALLAH, West Bank (Reuters) – Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas’s Fatah faction on Wednesday chose a deputy party leader but it was unclear whether Mahmoud Al-Aloul would also be favorite to succeed him as president.
Rebel tells France’s Fillon that voters are deserting
PARIS (Reuters) – Scandal-hit French presidential candidate Francois Fillon came under renewed attack from within his own conservative camp on Wednesday as he sought to hold his campaign together through talks with ex-president Nicolas Sarkozy.
U.S. warns NATO – increase spending or we might ‘moderate’ support
BRUSSELS (Reuters) – U.S. President Donald Trump’s defense secretary warned NATO allies on Wednesday that they must honor military spending pledges to ensure the United States does not “moderate” support for the alliance.
Argentina’s Macri discusses Venezuela in call with Trump: spokesman
BUENOS AIRES (Reuters) – Argentina’s President Mauricio Macri and U.S. President Donald Trump shared their “concern” over Venezuela in a Wednesday phone call, Macri’s spokesman told Reuters.
Merkel to defend international cooperation at Munich conference
BERLIN (Reuters) – No country can solve the world’s problems on its own and governments can achieve more for their nations if they work together closely, German Chancellor Angela Merkel said on Wednesday.
Anti-Assad states to meet on Syria amid concerns over U.S. policy
BONN, Germany (Reuters) – Countries opposed to Syrian President Bashar al-Assad will meet on Friday for the first time since Donald Trump’s U.S. administration took office, to seek common ground ahead of U.N.-backed peace talks in Geneva next week.
Church of England stance on gay marriage in disarray after vote
LONDON (Reuters) – The Church of England’s legislative body on Wednesday voted against a report from bishops that rejected the idea of blessing same-sex marriages, the latest row over an issue that has divided the Church for years.
