Vivian meets top Australian leaders

Singapore Foreign Minister Vivian Balakrishnan yesterday met top Australian officials, including Prime Minister Malcolm Turnbull, in an introductory visit to Canberra, said Singapore's Ministry of Foreign Affairs.

Dr Balakrishnan and his counterpart Julie Bishop expressed satisfaction with the implementation of the Comprehensive Strategic Partnership in a meeting. They also exchanged views on regional developments.

Socialist Party chief loses Spanish PM bid

MADRID • Spain's Socialist Party chief Pedro Sanchez on Wednesday lost a bid to form a new government and end weeks of political stalemate as he was defeated in a vote of confidence in Parliament.

Mr Sanchez, whose Socialists came second in a general election on Dec 20, was seeking Parliament's approval to become Prime Minister.

AGENCE FRANCE-PRESSE

Irish rivals may form coalition govt

DUBLIN • Irish Prime Minister Enda Kenny's outgoing coalition failed to win a majority in elections, final results showed yesterday, heralding talks to form a new government that could last for weeks.

Mr Kenny's Fine Gael party won 50 out of 158 parliamentary seats, followed by traditional rival Fianna Fail with 44 seats, raising the possibility of an unprecedented coalition between the two.

AGENCE FRANCE-PRESSE