Irish PM expects coalition deal in next couple of days
There is a strong possibility negotiators from Ireland’s Fianna Fail, Fine Gael and Green parties will strike a deal over the next couple of days to form a new coalition government, acting Prime Minister Leo Varadkar said on Friday.
Fire onboard docked French nuclear submarine under control – prefecture
A fire onboard a nuclear submarine docked at the Mediterranean port of Toulon is under control, the local prefecture said on Friday.
EU states back spending up to $2.7 billion upfront on COVID-19 vaccines
The European Commission received a mandate from EU governments on Friday to negotiate advance purchases of promising coronavirus vaccines, the EU’s top health official said, but it is unclear whether there is enough money available.
Leopold not to blame for Congo abuse, Belgian king’s brother says
The brother of Belgium’s king joined a swelling debate about its past on Friday by saying that King Leopold II, under whose rule millions of Congolese were killed or maimed, could not have “made people suffer” because he never visited his colony.
Northern Irishman to be extradited over Vietnamese truck deaths
An Irish court on Friday approved the extradition of Northern Irishman Ronan Hughes to face manslaughter charges in Britain over the deaths of 39 Vietnamese people found in the back of a truck near London last year.
Britain unveils plans to impose EU border checks in stages
Britain will introduce border checks with the European Union in stages from Jan. 1, reversing an original plan so it can now give companies struggling with the coronavirus crisis more time to fill out forms and pay tariffs.
Turkey slams ‘propaganda machine’ Twitter over removal of accounts
Turkey fiercely criticised Twitter on Friday for suspending more than 7,000 accounts that supported President Tayyip Erdogan, saying the company was smearing the government and trying to redesign Turkish politics.
New Lesotho PM Majoro says to focus on stability after scandal
Lesotho’s new prime minister Moeketsi Majoro said on Friday stabilising its political system was among his top priorities after replacing his scandal-hit predecessor last month.
France launches Sahel coalition to fight rising jihadi violence
France launched a coalition of West African and European allies on Friday to fight jihadi militants in the Sahel region, hoping more political cooperation and special forces would boost a military effort that has so far failed to stifle violence.
For gay stars of banned condom ad, no let-up in Poland’s LGBT rights clampdown
For Jakub Kwiecinski, a ban by Poland’s public broadcaster on a condom advert featuring him and his husband has come as no surprise, but it does make him uneasy about what targets a government clampdown on LGBT rights will pick on next.
