German abattoir stops work, schools to close after 400 coronavirus cases
Some 400 workers have tested positive for the new coronavirus at an abattoir in northern Germany, prompting the closure of local schools and an urgent investigation, officials said on Wednesday.
Defend seafaring workers hit hard by pandemic, Pope says
Pope Francis paid tribute on Wednesday to hundreds of thousands of seafarers stuck on ships due to the coronavirus pandemic, a situation the United Nations has said poses a risk to the safe operation of the world’s merchant fleet.
European lawmakers chide Japan over ‘abduction’ of children by a parent
European lawmakers lobbied by fathers who cannot see children taken by Japanese mothers urged Tokyo on Tuesday to combat the “abduction” of minors by one parent and change a law that does not recognise joint custody after a split.
Russia hopes India, China find mutually-acceptable solution to border clashes: Ifax
Russia’s foreign ministry said on Wednesday it hoped India and China would find mutually acceptable ways to ensure security on their border following deadly clashes, the Interfax news agency reported.
Ukrainian lawmaker says he has Gutenberg Bible fragment in his private collection
A wealthy Ukrainian politician has made public a manuscript in his private collection that he says is a fragment of the Gutenberg Bible, the world’s first substantial printed book, although researchers said it would need to be authenticated.
Brother of George Floyd backs U.N. probe into U.S. racism, violence
The brother of the late George Floyd called on the top U.N. human rights body on Wednesday to investigate police brutality and racial discrimination in the United States.
Romanian rights groups condemn ban on gender identity studies
Romanian human rights groups and universities on Wednesday condemned a blanket ban on gender identity studies voted through by lawmakers, which they said would legitimise discrimination against the country’s LGBT minority.
French court finds Bashar al-Assad’s uncle guilty of property fraud
The exiled uncle of Syrian President Bashar al-Assad was found guilty on Wednesday of acquiring millions of euros worth of French property using funds diverted from the Syrian state, and sentenced to four years in prison.
Turkey still blocking defence plan for Poland, Baltics, NATO envoys say
Turkey continues to block a NATO defence plan for Poland and Baltic states despite a deal last year between Turkey’s president and allied leaders, three allied diplomats and a French defence official said on Wednesday.
Pompeo to meet with China’s top diplomat in Hawaii: State Dept
U.S. Secretary of State Mike Pompeo will meet with Yang Jiechi, China’s top diplomat, on Wednesday in Honolulu, the State Department said, a crucial meeting as relations between the two countries have deeply soured since the start of the year.
