Myanmar’s two armed ethnic groups sign ceasefire deal

NAYPYIDAW, Feb 13 (AFP): Two armed ethnic groups signed a ceasefire in Myanmar on Tuesday in a move which the government hopes will revive a flagging peace process dogged by continuing fighting and widespread distrust of the army.The New Mon State Party (NMSP) and Lahu Democratic Union (LDU) inked the...

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N Korea hails warmth with South

PYONGYANG, Feb 13 (BBC): North Korea's leader has called for a "further livening up" of the "warm climate of reconciliation" with the South created by the Winter Olympics.Kim Jong-un, whose nuclear bomb and missile tests have stoked international tension, praised the South for hosting his state at the games in...

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Erdogan warns foreign companies of gas drilling near Cyprus

ANKARA, Feb 13 (AFP): Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan on Tuesday warned foreign energy companies not to "overstep the mark" in the Mediterranean, after Turkey's warships blocked an Italian drilling vessel seeking to begin exploration for gas off Cyprus.The growing standoff between Turkey and Cyprus over exploiting energy resources in...

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C'wealth in secret succession plans

LONDON, Feb 13 (BBC): The Commonwealth has secretly begun considering who might succeed the Queen as its head.The issue is hugely sensitive because the role is not hereditary and will not pass automatically to the Prince of Wales on the Queen's death.The Commonwealth has set up a "high level group"...

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