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EU, UK face difficulties on N. Ireland despite progress – Sefcovic

By Philip Blenkinsop BRUSSELS (Reuters) -The European Union has made progress in its talks with the UK on the trading arrangements of Northern Ireland but difficulties remain, European Commission Vice-President Maros Sefcovic said on Monday. Sefcovic, who oversees EU relations with Britain, said his team wanted a breakthrough every week, referring to recent reports on …

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Landmark Hong Kong national security trial opens two years after arrests

By Jessie Pang HONG KONG (Reuters) -The much-anticipated trial of 16 Hong Kong democracy activists charged under a national security law imposed by Beijing began on Monday with security tight for a case that some observers say will be a test of the city’s judicial independence. The defendants are those who pleaded not guilty out …

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Brazil’s Lula to restart housing program for low-income families

BRASILIA (Reuters) – Brazilian President Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva will this month restart the federal housing program “Minha Casa, Minha Vida” for lower income people, his chief of staff said on Sunday. Rui Costa said on TV GloboNews that the announcement will be made on Feb. 14 in Bahia state as part of several …

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U.S. fighter jet shoots down suspected Chinese spy balloon with missile

By Randall Hill, Phil Stewart and Jeff Mason SURFSIDE BEACH, S.C. (Reuters) -A U.S. military fighter jet shot down a suspected Chinese spy balloon off the coast of South Carolina on Saturday, a week after it first entered U.S. airspace and triggered a dramatic — and public — spying saga that worsened Sino-U.S. relations. President …

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U.S. working to recover suspected Chinese spy balloon

(Reuters) – The United States is working to recover a suspected Chinese spy balloon that was shot down off the coast of South Carolina, according to a statement released by the Pentagon on Sunday. “Our U.S. Navy component is currently conducting recovery operations, with the U.S. Coast Guard assisting in securing the area and maintaining …

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Japan’s government has sounded out Amamiya about becoming BOJ governor – Nikkei

By Daniel Leussink and Tetsushi Kajimoto TOKYO (Reuters) -Japan’s government has sounded out Bank of Japan (BOJ) Deputy Governor Masayoshi Amamiya to succeed incumbent Haruhiko Kuroda as central bank governor, the Nikkei newspaper reported early on Monday, citing anonymous government and ruling party sources. The next BOJ chief will face the delicate task of normalising …

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NBA-LeBron James returns to Los Angeles with history in his grasp

By Rory Carroll LOS ANGELES (Reuters) – Lakers forward LeBron James returns to Los Angeles on the verge of becoming the NBA’s all-time leading scorer after wrapping up a five-game road trip in New Orleans on Saturday night. ‘King James’ now needs just 36 points to pass fellow Lakers great Kareem Abdul-Jabbar’s record 38,387 career …

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Pakistan’s former President Musharraf, key U.S. ally against al Qaeda, is dead

By Gibran Naiyyar Peshimam and Ghaida Ghantous ISLAMABAD/DUBAI (Reuters) – Pakistan’s former President Pervez Musharraf, a key U.S. ally in the campaign against al Qaeda following the militant group’s Sept. 11, 2001 attacks, died in Dubai on Sunday after a prolonged illness. He was 79. Musharraf, a former four-star general who seized power after a …

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China has reasons to keep cool after U.S. downs suspected spy balloon

By Ryan Woo and Greg Torode BEIJING/HONG KONG (Reuters) -China may respond to the U.S. shooting down its suspected spy balloon after warning of “serious repercussions”, but analysts say any move will likely be finely calibrated to keep from worsening ties that both sides have been seeking to repair. Regional analysts and diplomats are closely …

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U.S. Justice Dept. to review Memphis police after Tyre Nichols’ killing

By Kanishka Singh WASHINGTON (Reuters) – The U.S. Justice Department will participate in a review of the Memphis Police Department after the death of Tyre Nichols, a 29-year-old Black man fatally beaten by officers in the Tennessee city last month, according to city officials. The review was disclosed in a bulletin by Memphis Mayor Jim …

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