White House staff exits likely as Trump's first year draws to a close - sources

WASHINGTON (Reuters) - U.S. Secretary of State Rex Tillerson's expected exit from the Trump administration is one of many staff changes likely as President Donald Trump nears the end of his first year in office, with sources saying top economic adviser Gary Cohn and son-in-law Jared Kushner could be among those who depart.

from Reuters: Top News http://uk.reuters.com/article/uk-usa-trump-exodus/white-house-staff-exits-likely-as-trumps-first-year-draws-to-a-close-sources-idUKKBN1DV3T7?feedType=RSS&feedName=topNews

Zimbabwe's Mnangagwa names senior military officials to cabinet posts

HARARE (Reuters) - Zimbabwe's new president, Emmerson Mnangagwa, appointed senior military officials to top posts in his new cabinet and chose a veteran cabinet minister to head the finance ministry.

from Reuters: Top News http://uk.reuters.com/article/uk-zimbabwe-politics/zimbabwes-mnangagwa-names-senior-military-officials-to-cabinet-posts-idUKKBN1DV3RI?feedType=RSS&feedName=topNews

Progress in Brexit talks has lessened chance of disorderly exit - Reuters poll

LONDON (Reuters) - Signs of progress in Britain's negotiations to leave the European Union mean the chance of a disorderly Brexit declined in the past month, a Reuters poll found, and the talks will probably end with a free trade deal.

from Reuters: Top News http://uk.reuters.com/article/uk-britain-economy-poll/progress-in-brexit-talks-has-lessened-chance-of-disorderly-exit-reuters-poll-idUKKBN1DV3Q6?feedType=RSS&feedName=topNews

Japan's Emperor Akihito to abdicate on April 30, 2019

TOKYO (Reuters) - Emperor Akihito, who has spent much of his nearly three decades on Japan's throne seeking to soothe the wounds of World War Two, will step down on April 30, 2019 - the first abdication by a Japanese monarch in about two centuries.

from Reuters: Top News http://uk.reuters.com/article/uk-japan-emperor-panel/japans-emperor-akihito-to-abdicate-on-april-30-2019-idUKKBN1DV3IA?feedType=RSS&feedName=topNews

Australia's Jetstar cancels some Bali flights as volcanic ash threat revives

DENPASAR, Indonesia (Reuters) - Australian budget airline Jetstar will cancel nine flights out of the Indonesian holiday island of Bali on Friday due to a threat from volcanic ash, signalling that a departure window for visitors stranded by an erupting volcano may be closing.

from Reuters: Top News http://uk.reuters.com/article/uk-indonesia-volcano/australias-jetstar-cancels-some-bali-flights-as-volcanic-ash-threat-revives-idUKKBN1DV3IV?feedType=RSS&feedName=topNews

Asian shares pare gains as vote on U.S. tax bill delayed

TOKYO (Reuters) - Asian shares and the dollar pared their modest gains on Friday, with risk appetites supported by advances on Wall Street but capped by concern as investors awaited the U.S. Senate's vote on U.S. tax reform legislation.

from Reuters: Top News http://uk.reuters.com/article/uk-global-markets/asian-shares-pare-gains-as-vote-on-u-s-tax-bill-delayed-idUKKBN1DV3E5?feedType=RSS&feedName=topNews

Bitcoin pauses below record peak; gained 55 percent in November

SYDNEY (Reuters) - Bitcoin hovered around $9,600 in volatile trade on Friday, after tumbling about 15 percent from an all-time high hit this week as some investors warned ominously of a bubble and further falls in the stratospheric cryptocurrency.

from Reuters: Top News http://uk.reuters.com/article/uk-markets-bitcoin/bitcoin-pauses-below-record-peak-gained-55-percent-in-november-idUKKBN1DV3J2?feedType=RSS&feedName=topNews

South Korea says North Korea still needs to prove critical missile technology, expects pause in testing

SEOUL (Reuters) - North Korea's latest missile test places Washington within range, but it still needs to prove critical missile technology, such as re-entry, terminal stage guidance and warhead activation, South Korea said on Friday.

from Reuters: Top News http://uk.reuters.com/article/uk-northkorea-missiles-southkorea/south-korea-says-north-korea-still-needs-to-prove-critical-missile-technology-expects-pause-in-testing-idUKKBN1DV3F3?feedType=RSS&feedName=topNews

Japan panel agrees on April 30, 2019 for emperor's abdication

TOKYO (Reuters) - Emperor Akihito's planned abdication - the first by a Japanese monarch in about two centuries - should take place on April 30, 2019, a special panel chaired by Prime Minister Shinzo Abe agreed on Friday.

from Reuters: Top News http://uk.reuters.com/article/uk-japan-emperor-panel/japan-panel-agrees-on-april-30-2019-for-emperors-abdication-idUKKBN1DV3IA?feedType=RSS&feedName=topNews

Australia's Jetstar cancels some Bali flights as threat of volcanic ash revives

(Reuters) - Australia's Jetstar will cancel nine of 15 planned flights out of the Indonesian holiday island of Bali, the budget airline said on Friday, following a forecast that volcanic ash could hit airport operations in the evening.

from Reuters: Top News http://uk.reuters.com/article/uk-indonesia-volcano/australias-jetstar-cancels-some-bali-flights-as-threat-of-volcanic-ash-revives-idUKKBN1DV3IV?feedType=RSS&feedName=topNews

Japan panel firms up April 30, 2019 as date for emperor's abdication - NHK

TOKYO (Reuters) - A special panel chaired by Prime Minister Shinzo Abe has agreed that the date of Emperor Akihito's planned abdication - the first by a Japanese monarch in about two centuries - should be on April 30, 2019, national broadcaster NHK reported.

from Reuters: Top News http://uk.reuters.com/article/uk-japan-emperor-panel/japan-panel-firms-up-april-30-2019-as-date-for-emperors-abdication-nhk-idUKKBN1DV3IA?feedType=RSS&feedName=topNews

Asian shares edge up with U.S. tax bill in focus

TOKYO (Reuters) - Asian shares pushed higher on Friday, cheered by Wall Street gains after apparent progress on U.S. tax legislation as investors waited for the Senate's vote, while higher U.S. Treasury yields underpinned the dollar.

from Reuters: Top News http://uk.reuters.com/article/uk-global-markets/asian-shares-edge-up-with-u-s-tax-bill-in-focus-idUKKBN1DV3E5?feedType=RSS&feedName=topNews

UK lawmakers cast doubt on plan to avoid Ireland border after Brexit

LONDON (Reuters) - Britain's intention to avoid a hard border between Ireland and Northern Ireland after Brexit is inconsistent with its plan to withdraw from the European Union's single market and customs union, a committee of lawmakers said on Friday.

from Reuters: Top News http://uk.reuters.com/article/uk-britain-eu-ireland/uk-lawmakers-cast-doubt-on-plan-to-avoid-ireland-border-after-brexit-idUKKBN1DV3A9?feedType=RSS&feedName=topNews