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ATHENS, Jan. 16 (Xinhua) -- The government of Greek Prime Minister Alexis Tsipras won a confidence vote in the Greek parliament on Wednesday, while a new crucial vote for the ratification of the Macedonia name deal will follow it in the coming days.

A total of 151 lawmakers voted to back the government, while 148 voted against and one was absent during the roll call voting in the 300-member strong assembly, which was broadcast live on Greek national broadcaster ERT.

LONDON, Jan. 16 (Xinhua) -- British Prime Minister Theresa May won a vital confidence vote in the House of Commons Wednesday, averting a snap general election that could have ushered in a Labour government.

After seeing off a challenge that would have triggered a battle for control of Downing Street, May announced she would be having immediate talks with leaders of opposition parties to thrash out a new Brexit deal.

BEIJING, Jan. 16 (Xinhua) -- China will continue to innovate and improve its macro-control policies to offset external uncertainties and strive to keep economic growth within a reasonable range, Premier Li Keqiang said.

Li made the remarks when presiding over a symposium held Tuesday, where he heard views and recommendations made by scholars and entrepreneurs on a draft version of the government work report.

London, Jan 17 (PTI) Embattled British Prime Minister Theresa May won a confidence vote on Wednesday and averted a general election, a day after her government suffered a historic parliamentary defeat over her Brexit divorce deal with the European Union.

Her government won by 325 votes to 306 - a majority of 19.

Labour leader Jeremy Corbyn argued that May's "zombie" administration had lost the right to govern during a six hour debate on his motion.

His party has not ruled out tabling further no-confidence motions.

LONDON (AP) — German Chancellor Angela Merkel says there’s still time for negotiations between the European Union and Britain over its departure from the bloc.

Merkel says that she regretted the decision by British lawmakers to oppose the agreement negotiated by British Prime Minister Theresa May and the EU.

Merkel told reporters in Berlin that “we will of course do everything to find an orderly solution, but we are also prepared if there is no orderly solution.”

16 Uan 2019; AP: The Internal Revenue Service is recalling about 46,000 of its employees furloughed by the partial government shutdown to handle tax returns and pay out refunds. For now, they’ll have to work without pay.

The White House tried to bypass House Speaker Nancy Pelosi in shutdown negotiations, but rank-and-file House Democrats declined an invitation to lunch Tuesday with President Donald Trump.

Some federal workers are taking on odd jobs to make ends meet. They have more options than in past shutdowns.

16 Jan 2019; DW: French President Emmanuel Macron met with about 600 mayors across the Normandy region on Tuesday in his first session of a two-month national debate tour he promised in response to the country's "yellow vest" movement.

In his opening remarks to the gathering in the northern town of Grand Bourgtheroulde, Macron said he was there to hear the concerns of the French and promised that the questions raised by the citizens would be given consideration.

MOSCOW, January 15. /TASS/. Russia and Zimbabwe signed a range of agreements for implementation of a joint project on development of the Darwendale platinum group metals deposit. Documents were signed in presence of Russian President Vladimir Putin and President of Zimbabwe Emmerson Mnangagwa after their talks.

BRUSSELS, January 16. /TASS/. The European Commission will have to step up preparations for a no-deal Brexit after the UK parliament voted to reject the withdrawal agreement between London and Brussels, European Commission President Jean-Claude Juncker said in a statement.

GENEVA, Jan. 15 (Xinhua) -- The world is entering a period of "profound instability" due to the technological disruption of the Fourth Industrial Revolution and geo-economic and geopolitical realignment, Klaus Schwab, World Economic Forum (WEF) founder said Tuesday.

He was speaking at a press conference at the WEF headquarters here ahead of the forum's 2019 annual meeting that will take place Jan. 22-25 in Davos-Klosters, Switzerland.