China says plenty of space separates Taiwan flights amid route row

BEIJING (Reuters) - China rebuffed Taiwan's objections in a deepening row over the opening of new flight paths in the Taiwan Strait, saying on Wednesday that the space separating routes over the waterway was more than is mandated by international standards.

from Reuters: World News http://ift.tt/2GzADzx

Taliban active in 70 percent of Afghanistan, BBC study finds

WASHINGTON (Reuters) - The Taliban are openly active in 70 percent of Afghanistan's districts, fully controlling 4 percent of the country and demonstrating an open physical presence in another 66 percent, according to a BBC study published on Tuesday.

from Reuters: World News http://ift.tt/2EqzRUP

Hong Kong drowning in waste as China rubbish ban takes toll

HONG KONG (Reuters) - Hong Kong boasts glittering skyscrapers, seamless transportation and billion dollar infrastructure projects, but it is struggling with a much more mundane problem: disposing of its trash.

from Reuters: World News http://ift.tt/2DOUxca

Evangelical hopeful leads in Costa Rica presidential race: poll

SAN JOSE (Reuters) - A conservative Christian congressman best known for his opposition to gay rights remains the favorite in Costa Rica's presidential election next month, according to a poll released Tuesday night.

from Reuters: World News http://ift.tt/2DNtoCi

Italy PM says Rome has duty to appeal EU drugs agency decision

ROME (Reuters) - Italian Prime Minister Paolo Gentiloni said on Wednesday that Rome has a duty to appeal a decision by European authorities to move the bloc's medicines agency EMA to Holland from Britain but he realises it will be an uphill battle.

from Reuters: World News http://ift.tt/2rWhvbT

Watching Trump’s Speech: They Cheered. They Groaned. They Ate a Cake.

By THE NEW YORK TIMES from NYT U.S. http://ift.tt/2E303Hy

'Taking your nervous aunts to Reservoir Dogs' A member of the House of Lords has an unusual analogy for a second EU referendum.

via BBC News - UK Politics http://ift.tt/2DSnsMn

State of the Union: Trump hails 'new American moment'

The president speaks of "one American family", but Democrats say he has left the nation "fractured".

from BBC News - World http://ift.tt/2Gykn1A

Taliban threaten 70% of Afghanistan, BBC finds

The Islamist group's power and reach have surged since foreign combat troops left, the BBC finds.

from BBC News - World http://ift.tt/2GxHfyf

Pope to send envoy to investigate Chile sex abuse claims

The Vatican says it has been given new information about allegations of a bishop's alleged cover-up.

from BBC News - World http://ift.tt/2DOA6rH

Trump signs order to keep Guantanamo Bay prison open

The move reverses attempts by former President Barack Obama to close the controversial site.

from BBC News - World http://ift.tt/2GyqPpl

Hawaii false alarm: Officials quit over missile alert

Additionally the employee who sent the warning, who had a record of poor performance, is fired.

from BBC News - World http://ift.tt/2GwFtNV

Glee actor Mark Salling, 35, found dead

The actor, who had admitted possessing child sex abuse images, is believed to have killed himself.

from BBC News - World http://ift.tt/2DXW3b3

Skywatchers await 'super blue blood Moon'

A blue blood supermoon and lunar eclipse across Asia heralds a year of lunar science milestones, say scientists.

from BBC News - World http://ift.tt/2DNjDYM

Diane Keaton defends Woody Allen over abuse allegations

The actress says she "continues to believe" the director after claims against him resurfaced.

from BBC News - World http://ift.tt/2Gu0XuS

Yemen separatists capture most of Aden, residents say

Yemeni cabinet ministers are reported to be holed up inside the presidential palace in Aden.

from BBC News - World http://ift.tt/2GxRIdk

France jogger death: Husband admits killing Alexia Daval

Three months after Alexia Daval's body was found, her husband tells police he killed her by mistake.

from BBC News - World http://ift.tt/2Frace3

Pierre Agnes: Boardriders boss goes missing at sea in France

Pierre Agnes' boat was discovered washed ashore near Biarritz on France's Atlantic coast.

from BBC News - World http://ift.tt/2rQAhkF

The killer whale that can say 'hello' and 'bye bye'

A killer whale that can mimic words such as "hello" is thought to be the first of its kind to copy human speech.

from BBC News - World http://ift.tt/2nqKlfJ

State of the Union: Congress divided on Trump speech

The contrasting reactions to the president's speech tell the tale of a deeply divided Congress.

from BBC News - World http://ift.tt/2nozzH0

State of the Union: Kennedy delivers response to Trump

Joseph Kennedy III attacked the president and said Democrats were speaking for all Americans.

from BBC News - World http://ift.tt/2BGLowb

Taliban 'threaten 70% of Afghanistan' BBC investigation finds

The Afghan Taliban, which US-led forces spent billions of dollars trying to defeat, are now openly active in 70% of the country, a BBC study has found.

from BBC News - World http://ift.tt/2rQlZRb

Super blue blood moon: Get ready for a rare celestial show

A lunar eclipse, supermoon and blue moon are about to happen at once. Here's what you need to know.

from BBC News - World http://ift.tt/2DQmXOX

Why did Kenya's Raila Odinga 'inaugurate' himself as president?

Kenya's main opposition leader stages his own "swearing-in" after two disputed elections. We explain.

from BBC News - World http://ift.tt/2E0X0Q0

Réunion island and the 'stolen children' of France

Marlène Morin was 15 when she was resettled from the island of Réunion to France. After 52 years, she finally returned.

from BBC News - World http://ift.tt/2rQmV8l

Top-secret Australian files 'left at second-hand shop'

Bureaucrats say they will urgently investigate after the files were found in a second-hand filing cabinet.

from BBC News - World http://ift.tt/2BFFhIG

Democratic Response to SOTU

By Unknown Author from NYT U.S. http://ift.tt/2Epj1FU

Why Koreans Are So Good at Speedskating

By JAY CASPIAN KANG from NYT Magazine http://ift.tt/2DYVjCG

The Unabashed Beauty of Jason Brown on Ice

By PATRICIA LOCKWOOD from NYT Magazine http://ift.tt/2DQzGoM

What Cross-Country Skiing Reveals About the Human Condition

By SAM ANDERSON from NYT Magazine http://ift.tt/2rTHAbq

The First African Team to Compete in Bobsled

By As told to JAIME LOWE from NYT Magazine http://ift.tt/2rRIMw9

The Search for Stillness at the Heart of Biathlon

By BROOKE JARVIS from NYT Magazine http://ift.tt/2nrkgfG

Full Transcript and Video: Joe Kennedy Delivers Democratic Response to the State of the Union

By THE NEW YORK TIMES from NYT U.S. http://ift.tt/2nt0r7E

Trump’s Volk und Vaterland

By ROGER COHEN from NYT Opinion http://ift.tt/2ErISx0

Trump’s Besotted Republicans

By KEVIN BAKER from NYT Opinion http://ift.tt/2DYXHcC

Trump Tries for a Reset

By ROSS DOUTHAT from NYT Opinion http://ift.tt/2BF1Wow

A ‘Feel-Good’ Room

By NATALIE PROULX from NYT The Learning Network http://ift.tt/2rW1fY6

I'm not a quitter, says Theresa May amid leadership questions The PM issues a defiant response to critics, as she begins a trade mission to China.

via BBC News - UK Politics http://ift.tt/2nr1EfG

Labour seeks to force publication of leaked Brexit study The party wants a binding Commons vote, arguing MPs need the document to make informed decisions.

via BBC News - UK Politics http://ift.tt/2nprhxA

'Overwhelming' evidence for adding folic acid to flour The B vitamin, which can prevent birth defects, will not harm the general public, a study says.

via BBC News - UK Politics http://ift.tt/2DR4HFb

Don't just muddle through Brexit, ex-minister warns A "clear destination" is needed, Lord Bridges says, as peers begin debating a key withdrawal bill.

via BBC News - UK Politics http://ift.tt/2GwM3UT

Drop in consumer demand hits UK car manufacturing Lower demand in the UK and confusion over diesel policy are blamed by the industry trade body.

via BBC News - UK Politics http://ift.tt/2BGECqk

Labour suspends councillor in Sarwar 'Islamophobia' row Scottish Labour has suspended the leader of its South Lanarkshire Council group pending an investigation.

via BBC News - UK Politics http://ift.tt/2GvhSgF

MP Owen Paterson breaks his back in riding accident Former Environment Minister Owen Paterson says he feels "lucky to be alive".

via BBC News - UK Politics http://ift.tt/2rU41xi

MP Dan Jarvis to stand for Sheffield City Region mayor The ex-soldier is the third Labour candidate to announce he will stand in the Sheffield City Region.

via BBC News - UK Politics http://ift.tt/2DMVjWX

Boundary Commission rejects Sinn Féin gerrymandering claim The Boundary Commission rejects claims proposed new constituencies are gerrymandered.

via BBC News - UK Politics http://ift.tt/2DYtH0s

Haringey Council leader to quit amid 'bullying' claims The resignation comes after a split within the local Labour party over regeneration plans

via BBC News - UK Politics http://ift.tt/2DMTRnE

PIPs: What next for benefit claimants? What will a government review of Personal Independence Payments mean for the people who receive them?

via BBC News - UK Politics http://ift.tt/2Gu19ul

Losing everything A run of bad luck left one man struggling to make sense of the UK benefits system - and at risk of losing his home.

via BBC News - UK Politics http://ift.tt/2nkrXFq

What future for PM? A look at the challenges facing Theresa May if she wants to remain the UK's prime minister.

via BBC News - UK Politics http://ift.tt/2DX0uTL

Lords stake out their positions on EU withdrawal bill Debate gets under way in the House of Lords on the hotly-disputed EU Withdrawal Bill.

via BBC News - UK Politics http://ift.tt/2FwFVuv

Why did Haringey council's leader just quit her job? Claire Kober announced she wouldn't be standing in May's election.

via BBC News - UK Politics http://ift.tt/2nt1LHB

'We're giving more power to ministers' Former Lord Chief Justice warns of the dangers of handing over power to ministers.

via BBC News - UK Politics http://ift.tt/2nnI2Kf

Grey squirrels: Craig Shuttleworth and Natalia Doran Ministers have stressed the importance of continuing to cull grey squirrels - but is it necessary, and ethical?

via BBC News - UK Politics http://ift.tt/2rQapWp