Nepal plunges into turmoil as politicians scuffle over constitution
KATHMANDU (Reuters) – Nepal plunged deeper into crisis on Friday after feuding politicians, throwing microphones and shoes, failed to meet a deadline to table a new constitution, seen as a key step to stability in the Himalayan buffer state wedged betw…
Saudi King Abdullah dies, new ruler is Salman
RIYADH (Reuters) – Saudi Arabia’s King Abdullah died early on Friday and his brother Salman became king, the royal court in the world’s top oil exporter and birthplace of Islam said in an official statement.
Uber restarts cab service in New Delhi after ban
NEW DELHI (Reuters) – U.S. taxi-hailing app maker Uber Technologies Inc has restarted services in India’s capital, after its three apps were banned following allegations of rape by one of its drivers.
From prison, Greece’s Golden Dawn runs quiet but vitriolic campaign
KOROPI, Greece (Reuters) – Nearly three years since entering parliament after rousing rallies and food handouts, Greece’s far-right Golden Dawn is running a much quieter campaign for Sunday’s election from a high-security prison.
Chinese fishing boat collides with cargo ship near South Korea, 10 missing
BEIJING (Reuters) – Ten crew members are missing after a Chinese fishing boat collided with a cargo ship near South Korea, China’s official Xinhua news agency reported on Friday.
Magnitude 7.0 quake hits off Vanuatu: USGS
SINGAPORE (Reuters) – A 7.0 magnitude earthquake struck off the Pacific island of Vanuatu on Friday, the U.S. Geological Survey said.
Australia asks Indonesia to rethink death penalty for two drug offenders
SYDNEY (Reuters) – Australia called on Indonesia on Friday to reconsider its decision to execute two Australians convicted of drug offences, a move that is likely to strain already fragile ties between the two neighbors.
Islamic State threat could stiffen Japan PM Abe’s stance on security
TOKYO (Reuters) – (This January 21 story was corrected to fix Abe’s age in ninth paragraph)
U.S., Iraq preparing for assault to recapture Mosul: WSJ
WASHINGTON (Reuters) – The United States and Iraq have started preparing for an offensive by summer to recapture the Iraqi city of Mosul, which was taken by Islamic State militants last June, the Wall Street Journal reported on Thursday.
U.S. presses Cuba on human rights in talks on restoring ties
HAVANA (Reuters) – The United States said it pressed Cuba to improve human rights during historic, high-level talks on Thursday, annoying the Cubans after both sides reported making progress toward restoring diplomatic relations.
