Britain’s Johnson opening Brexit bid: rip out the Irish border backstop
Prime Minister Boris Johnson has fired the opening salvo in his bid to renegotiate Britain’s divorce from the European Union, demanding that an insurance policy for the Irish border be removed from the Brexit deal and replaced with a pledge.
Lightning strike caused power cut in Britain: grid operator
A blackout in Britain which cut power to one million customers and caused transport chaos on Aug. 9 was due to a lightning strike, the grid operator said in a report to regulator Ofgem, which said on Tuesday it would investigate the matter further.
U.N. agency, Bangladesh begin survey of Rohingya over return to Myanmar
The United Nations’ refugee agency and Bangladesh authorities on Tuesday started to consult more than 3,000 Rohingya refugees from Myanmar to determine if any want to return home, officials said, as a fresh repatriation bid was launched.
Less bluster, but no compromise seen as South Korean, Japan ministers meet in China
South Korea and Japan have toned down the rhetoric but show little sign of compromise in a bitter political and economic dispute as their foreign ministers prepare to meet in China this week.
Russia to nuclear test ban monitor: Test accident not your business
Russia told an agency that verifies a ban on nuclear tests that a military test accident in the country’s north this month was none of its business and that handing it any radiation data was voluntary, Interfax news agency reported on Tuesday.
Hong Kong leader sees way out of chaos with dialogue and ‘mutual respect’
Hong Kong leader Carrie Lam said on Tuesday she hoped a peaceful weekend anti-government protest was the start of an effort to restore calm and that talks with non-violent protesters would provide “a way out” for the Chinese-ruled city.
Britain concerned at reports HK consulate worker held in China
Britain said on Tuesday it was “extremely concerned” by reports that a staff member at the consulate in its former colony of Hong Kong had been detained in mainland China.
Zimbabwe police deploy hundreds in Gweru, MDC challenges another protest ban
Zimbabwe Police deployed in force in the city of Gweru on Tuesday, witnesses said, as authorities sought to keep a lid on dissent after banning the third anti-government protest that the main opposition party has sought to organize inside five days.
Philippines warns of ‘unfriendly’ greeting for uninvited warships
Philippine President Rodrigo Duterte has warned of “unfriendly” treatment for foreign ships traveling in the country’s territorial waters without permission, in a rare swipe at China’s use of warships just a few miles off Manila’s coast.
Lightning strike caused power cuts in Britain: grid operator
A blackout in Britain which left one million homes without power on Aug. 9 was the result of a lightning strike, the grid operator said in a preliminary report on Tuesday.
