EU executive says Brexit talks ‘difficult’, no solution found for now
The latest talks between EU and UK Brexit negotiators have been “difficult” and no agreement has been found yet, a spokesman for the bloc’s executive said on Wednesday.
South African court jails two white farmers for killing black teenager
Two white South African farmers were sentenced to up to 23 years in prison on Wednesday for the murder of a black youth who was thrown from a moving vehicle after being accused of stealing about 80 rand ($5) worth of sunflowers.
New mothers suffer nerves, guilt as maternity leave ends
Many new mothers worldwide express anxiety and guilt about leaving their babies to return to work, and some worry their nations’ maternity policies reflect societies that value productivity over raising children.
No head for heights: China defends Tibet travel restrictions
Foreigners can’t handle Tibet’s high altitude so China needs to restrict access, the top Chinese official in charge of the remote and mountainous region said on Wednesday, defending tough government restrictions on who can go there.
Turkey cannot become an EU member, says EPP’s Weber
Turkey cannot become a member of the European Union, said Manfred Weber, the European Peoples Party’s (EPP) lead candidate for the upcoming European elections, adding that he would end accession talks if he becomes European Commission president.
Flash floods, snow and rain kill at least 59 in Afghanistan
Flash floods, heavy rains and snowfall have killed at least 59 people across Afghanistan during the past two weeks and left thousands homeless, with the southern provinces of Helmand and Kandahar the worst-hit, an Afghan official said on Wednesday.
Ex-Nissan chief Ghosn case shines harsh light on Japan’s ‘hostage justice’
The high-profile case of ex-Nissan chairman Carlos Ghosn has shone a light in Japan on what critics call “hostage justice”, in which suspects can be held for months after arrest, but any reforms will likely be incremental and slow.
U.N. rights boss regrets Israel dismissal of Gaza killings report
United Nations human rights chief Michelle Bachelet said on Wednesday that she regretted Israel’s “immediate dismissal” of a U.N. report on its security forces killing protesters in Gaza “without addressing any of the very serious issues raised”.
Hungary’s MEP defiant about European ultimatum: TV
A senior member of the European Parliament from Hungary’s ruling Fidesz party said late on Tuesday his group would not accept conditions other MEPs set to remain part of their moderate conservative alliance, worsening a conflict just before European el…
Bachelet presses China for U.N. access to Xinjiang’s Uighurs
United Nations human rights chief Michelle Bachelet said on Wednesday that she is seeking access to China to verify continuing reports of disappearances and arbitrary detentions, particularly in the Xinjiang Uighur autonomous region.
