China's Communist Party agrees on government reform, but no details

BEIJING (Reuters) - China's ruling Communist Party agreed on Wednesday to deepen reform of party and government departments to improve their function and to push for high quality development, but gave no details of an unexpected shake up of ministries.

from Reuters: World News http://ift.tt/2ovGK0f

Turkey rejects U.S., French calls for Afrin ceasefire in Syria

ISTANBUL (Reuters) - Turkey forcefully rejected on Wednesday Western calls to suspend its offensive in northwest Syria, saying the United States misunderstood the extent of a U.N. ceasefire resolution and accusing France of giving "false information" on the issue.

from Reuters: World News http://ift.tt/2F2pUg3

Toys R Us UK goes into administration

About 3,000 jobs are at risk at the UK's biggest toy retailer, but stores are still open for now.

from BBC News - Business http://ift.tt/2F13EmJ

Maplin collapses as rescue talks fail

The 200-store electronics retailer is unable to secure a sale of the business, its boss says.

from BBC News - Business http://ift.tt/2BXDd2E

Toyota to build next generation of Auris in UK

It comes after the Japanese carmaker agreed a £240m investment in its Derbyshire plant last year.

from BBC News - Business http://ift.tt/2FbL4eY

Childcare costs: Parents of children under two pay the most

The cost of a part-time nursery place for a child under two rose by 7% in a year, to £122 a week, research says.

from BBC News - Business http://ift.tt/2CNGHBD

The best budget computer speakers: Surprisingly sound choices for $50 or less

Logitech Z150 Stereo Speakers review: Light on your budget, light on the bass

Edifier R19U 2.0 USB Computer Speakers review: A better budget speaker

Creative Pebble review: Impressively big sound from teeny, $25 speakers

GOGroove BassPULSE review: PC speakers boost your music's bottom end

AmazonBasics AC Powered Computer Speakers review: Louder, but not necessarily better

Creative Inspire T12 review: Killer audio that won't kill your budget

Google in historic 'right to be forgotten' challenge

Google battles an individual who wants information about him removed from its search engine.

from BBC News - Technology http://ift.tt/2HRnqTf

Is the UK winning the graphene race?

The scientist who won the Nobel Prize for his work with graphene worries about research funding.

from BBC News - Technology http://ift.tt/2HTNJse

U.S. tourist arrested in Cambodia accused of killing masseuse

PHNOM PENH (Reuters) - Cambodian police arrested a 24-year-old American tourist on Wednesday on suspicion of killing a masseuse by slitting her throat, police said.

from Reuters: World News http://ift.tt/2GP620a

Nigeria's ruling party endorses Buhari for second term: sources

ABUJA (Reuters) - The national executive committee of Nigeria's ruling party has endorsed President Muhammadu Buhari to seek a second term in an election next year, two senior party sources told Reuters on Wednesday.

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

Irish PM says up to UK and DUP to detail alternative border proposals

DUBLIN (Reuters) - The British government and its Northern Irish allies must now spell out alternative proposals if they do not wish to trigger a backstop agreement that would avoid a hard border with customs checks, Ireland's prime minister said on Wednesday.

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

U.S. investor transfers interests in Philippine news site to fend off government 'attack'

MANILA (Reuters) - An American investor in a Philippine news outlet whose license was revoked said on Wednesday it was transferring its interests to its local partners to remove an "artificial barrier" being used by the government to stifle its operations.

from Reuters: World News http://ift.tt/2F6FE4X

Saudi Crown Prince expected to visit U.S. March 19-22: source

RIYADH (Reuters) - Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman is expected to travel to the United States for a short visit from March 19 to 22, a Saudi government source said on Wednesday.

from Reuters: World News http://ift.tt/2t0lkND

Exclusive: Xi confidant set to become China's new spy master - sources

BEIJING (Reuters) - A vice minister of public security, a close confidant of President Xi Jinping, is tipped to take over as China's spy master, five sources said, as the country looks to clean up its security apparatus and plug intelligence gaps.

from Reuters: World News http://ift.tt/2CNm5t5

Taiwan warns its firms to be wary as China grants greater access

TAIPEI/BEIJING (Reuters) - Taiwan on Wednesday warned its companies and people to exercise caution and not rush to China's embrace after Beijing released new measures meant to further ease investment by Taiwan firms.

from Reuters: World News http://ift.tt/2t6iKWw

Reedy Lagoon

I took this photo at Reedy Lagoon in Gunbower Forest, Victoria.

from David Kleinert Photography http://ift.tt/2GQulLt

Syrian government gains ground on second day of Russian truce: monitor

BEIRUT (Reuters) - Syrian government forces and allied militias gained ground on Wednesday in clashes with rebels in eastern Ghouta near Damascus as fighting raged despite a Russian ceasefire plan, the Syrian Observatory for Human Rights reported.

from Reuters: World News http://ift.tt/2Cs32Ja

South Korea says complains to Chinese ambassador about military jet in its airspace

SEOUL (Reuters) - South Korea summoned the Chinese ambassador on Tuesday to lodge a complaint over a Chinese military aircraft entering the South's air defence territory, the second such incident this year, the foreign ministry said on Wednesday.

from Reuters: World News http://ift.tt/2GSjQH9

China Xi's expansive agenda gets boost with move to end term limits

BEIJING (Reuters) - In clearing the way to serve as Chinese president indefinitely, Xi Jinping has sought to head off speculation over his future and amass even more authority to implement his key political objectives, analysts and sources close to the leadership say.

from Reuters: World News http://ift.tt/2Cs2XFm

ITV profits drop in tough advertising market

The commercial broadcaster says 2017 profits fall after "ongoing economic and political uncertainty".

from BBC News - Business http://ift.tt/2EXYs72

Syrian government forces gain ground in Ghouta: monitor

BEIRUT (Reuters) - Syrian government forces and allied militias gained ground on Wednesday in clashes with rebels in eastern Ghouta near Damascus as fighting raged despite a Russian ceasefire plan, the Syrian Observatory for Human Rights reported.

from Reuters: World News http://ift.tt/2t3u2e4