India’s top court says indefinite Kashmir internet shutdown unwarranted
India’s Supreme Court said on Friday that the indefinite shutdown of the internet in Kashmir was unwarranted, rebuking the government for the communications lockdown imposed after it withdrew the Muslim majority region’s autonomy in August.
Envy and solidarity from Hong Kong activists as democratic Taiwan prepares to vote
Hong Kong activists and budding pro-democracy politicians have flocked to Taiwan to observe its elections, aiming to bolster exchanges and galvanize an alliance against China’s influence.
Indonesia asks Japan to invest in islands near waters disputed with China
Indonesia’s President Joko Widodo on Friday asked Japan to step up investment in fisheries and energy in some of its South China Sea islands following a stand-off with China in waters that China claims in the area.
Egypt, Ethiopia, Sudan deadlocked over giant Nile dam, look to Washington talks
(This Jan. 9 story corrects paragraph 12 to reflect options after Jan.15 deadline)
U.S. State Dept. approves sale of 12 F-35 jets to Singapore
The U.S. State Department has approved the sale of up to 12 F-35 fighter jets and related equipment to Singapore at an estimated cost of $2.75 billion, pending approval from Congress, the U.S. Defense Security Cooperation Agency said on Friday.
Northern Ireland parties urged to back draft devolved government deal
The British and Irish governments urged all parties in Northern Ireland to sign up to a draft agreement published on Thursday to restore devolved government for the first time in three years ahead of a deadline to strike a deal.
Northern Ireland’s DUP backs deal to restore devolved government
Northern Ireland’s largest pro-British party, the Democratic Unionist Party, said it believed the draft deal published by the British and Irish governments on Thursday provided a basis upon which the regional assembly can be re-established.
Israel frees two as ‘goodwill’ for return of soldier’s remains from Syria
Israel on Friday released two more prisoners, including one jailed for spying for Syria, in what it called a goodwill gesture for the Russian-assisted repatriation last year of the body of a long-missing Israeli soldier.
Warne’s ‘baggy green’ cap sale raises A$1m for bushfire victims
Australian cricketer Shane Warne’s prized “baggy green” cap raised more than A$1 million ($686,000) on Friday for bushfire relief efforts, with the new owners planning to use it to raise more funds before it is donated to a museum.
‘Get out’: Australians flee again as heat and wind fan huge bushfires
Australian authorities urged nearly a quarter of a million people to evacuate their homes on Friday and prepared military backup as soaring temperatures and erratic winds fanned bushfires across the east coast.
