EU readies support for fishermen if hit by no-deal Brexit
The EU’s executive proposed contingency plans on Wednesday for fishing in the event of a no-deal Brexit, suggesting EU fishermen could be compensated if barred from Britain, and British boats could fish in EU waters for the rest of this year.
Irish government under pressure at home over no-deal Brexit border plans
Ireland’s government came under further pressure on Wednesday to explain how its border with British-run Northern Ireland would be managed if Britain leaves the European Union without a withdrawal agreement in March.
France hands Central African war crimes suspect to ICC
A Central Africa Republic soccer executive and alleged militia leader was transferred by France to the International Criminal Court on Wednesday, the court said in a statement.
Germany: Still pushing for EU solution on Mediterranean mission
The German government is still pushing for a European solution that would allow continuation of the European Union’s naval security mission, Operation Sophia, which is due to end at the end of March, a German government spokeswoman said on Wednesday.
Qatar’s Emir expresses support for Sudan stability as he meets Bashir
Qatar’s Emir Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad Al Thani said he supported Sudan’s unity and stability as he met Sudan’s President Omar al-Bashir on Wednesday, the Qatari royal court said.
Car bomb kills soldier near Iraq’s Kirkuk
A car bomb killed one soldier and injured at least two in a northern Iraqi town near the oil-rich city of Kirkuk on Wednesday, the military and a security source said.
Japan’s Abe to put trade, climate at top of G20 to-do list
Japanese Prime Minister Shinzo Abe said on Wednesday he will seek to use his chairmanship of the Group of 20 leading economies to rebuild trust in the global trade system and foster consensus on ways to address climate change.
Asylum applications in Germany fall for second year in a row
Fewer people applied for asylum in Germany last year, Interior Minister Horst Seehofer said on Wednesday, putting the second yearly slide in a row down to restrictive measures introduced by the government after a record influx in 2015.
France denounces Salvini’s ‘unacceptable’ remarks ahead of 2019 European vote
Italian Deputy Prime Minister Matteo Salvini’s comments on Wednesday that he hoped the French would not choose President Emmanuel Macron’s party in European parliament elections this year were “unacceptable”, France’s foreign ministry said.
Momentum gathers behind British lawmakers’ bid to stop no-deal Brexit
An attempt by British lawmakers to prevent a no-deal Brexit was gaining momentum on Wednesday after the opposition Labour Party said it was likely to throw its parliamentary weight behind that.
