Afghan peace talks seen this month after U.S. shuttle diplomacy
Talks to end the 18-year-old conflict in Afghanistan may begin this month, sources said on Monday, a day after the U.S. special envoy visited the capital of neighbouring Pakistan and met Taliban leaders in Qatar.
Defence wants more time in Dutch MH17 trial after Covid-19 delays
Defence lawyers on Monday insisted they needed more time to prepare at the trial of suspects in the downing of a Malaysia Airlines flight over eastern Ukraine, as proceedings resumed after a coronavirus lockdown was eased in the Netherlands.
Russians use black humour to lift spirits during coronavirus crisis
Russians are drawing on their taste for black humour to help raise morale during the coronavirus crisis.
Chinese official suggests Hong Kong should behave to keep high autonomy beyond 2047
A Chinese official suggested on Monday that the degree of autonomy that Hong Kong would have when the post-colonial agreement on its status runs out in 2047 could depend on how the protest-hit city behaves until then.
Japan hopes to draft G7 formin statement on China security legislation on Hong Kong: source
Japan hopes to draft a joint statement on China’s security legislation on Hong Kong at the next Group of Seven (G7) foreign ministers’ meeting, a Japanese government source told Reuters on Monday.
Lockdowns may have averted 3 million deaths in Europe by curbing COVID-19: study
Wide-scale lockdowns including shop and school closures have reduced COVID-19 transmission rates in Europe enough to control its spread and may have averted more than three million deaths, researchers said on Monday.
Schools reopen in South Africa after delay over health concerns
Children in South Africa began returning to classrooms on Monday as part of a gradual loosening of COVID-19 lockdown restrictions even as some parents worried not enough had been done to protect the health of pupils.
Germany has no confirmation of U.S. troop withdrawal, values them
The German government said on Monday it had not had official confirmation from Washington of any decision by U.S. President Donald Trump to withdraw thousands of troops from Germany, but stressed that their presence serves all NATO members.
George Floyd protests in France give bereaved family new hope for justice
Since the wave of protests triggered by the brutal killing of George Floyd reached France, protesters have been chanting another name too: Adama Traore.
Ardern dances for joy after New Zealand eliminates coronavirus
New Zealand lifted all social and economic restrictions except border controls after declaring on Monday it was free of the coronavirus, one of the first countries in the world to return to pre-pandemic normality.
