Hong Kong leader rejects protesters’ call for independent police probe
The Beijing-backed leader of Hong Kong ruled out on Friday an independent inquiry into allegations of police brutality against pro-democracy protesters, though she did accept a watchdog’s recommendations on tear gas and training.
Blink or no Brexit deal, both UK and EU tell each other
Britain and the European Union traded threats on Friday over a Brexit free trade deal, warning that unless the other side gave ground there would be no deal – a scenario that would convulse global trade as the world aims to exit the coronavirus lockdow…
Britain remains optimistic about EU trade deal: official
A senior British official involved in the negotiations with the European Union about a trade deal said on Friday he remains optimistic about the chances of a deal being reached although significant differences remain.
EU’s Barnier says trade talks with Britain ‘disappointing’
The European Union’s Brexit negotiator Michel Barnier said on Friday that the third round of talks with Britain on a new partnership was “disappointing”.
French lockdown hit drug trafficking and boosted prices
The lockdown imposed in France to combat the coronavirus led to a sharp drop in drug trafficking and a huge spike in prices, officials said on Friday.
Sweden’s not soft on virus, says PM, in dig at foreign media
Impressions conveyed abroad that Sweden has adopted a “business as usual” approach to the coronavirus are wrong, its prime minister said on Friday, adding that strong cooperation between nations was key to combating the epidemic.
UK may ease restrictions at different speeds: PM spokesman
The United Kingdom might ease the restrictions imposed to halt the spread of coronavirus at different speeds in particular regions, Prime Minister Boris Johnson’s spokesman said on Friday.
Chinese ship leaves Malaysian waters after month-long South China Sea standoff
A Chinese survey ship that had been involved in a month-long standoff with a Malaysian oil exploration vessel in the South China Sea has left Malaysia’s exclusive economic zone (EEZ), shipping data showed on Friday.
UK tells EU on Brexit: Blink or there will be no deal
The United Kingdom told the European Union on Friday that it had to give ground or there would be no Brexit free trade deal by the end of the year, saying there had been very little progress in talks.
Exclusive: Review contradicts Boris Johnson on claims he ordered early lockdown at UK care homes
Prime Minister Boris Johnson told Britain’s parliament on Wednesday that his government moved swiftly to protect the country’s vulnerable care homes. Under increasing pressure to defend his record on fighting Covid-19, he said: “We brought in the lockd…
