Modern China’s birth rate falls to lowest ever
China’s birth rate last year fell to its lowest since the founding of the People’s Republic of China 70 years ago, official data showed on Monday, with looser population controls failing to encourage couples to have more babies.
German economy minister optimistic a hard Brexit can be avoided
German Economy Minister Peter Altmaier said on Monday that he was upbeat a hard Brexit could be avoided but stressed that the German government was prepared for all possibilities.
German foreign minister urges UK to find Brexit solution
German Foreign Minister Heiko Maas has urged Britain to act in a serious and matter-of-fact way to find a solution on Brexit and he stressed the responsibility that Britain bears in doing so.
Ireland will not engage in bilateral Brexit negotiations: minister
Ireland will not engage in bilateral talks on Brexit and will only negotiate as part of the 27 remaining members of the European Union, Ireland’s European Affairs Minister Helen McEntee said on Monday.
At a top Chinese university, activist ‘confessions’ strike fear into students
In late December, on the leafy streets of China’s prestigious Peking University, a handful of students held up banners to protest against a takeover of the campus Marxist society by the Chinese Communist Party-affiliated Student Association.
Chinese scientist who made gene-edited babies evaded oversight to seek fame: report
A Chinese scientist who said he made the world’s first “gene-edited” babies intentionally evaded oversight and broke national guidelines in a quest for fame and fortune, according to a government investigation quoted in state media on Monday.
Germany bans Iranian airline on suspicion of spying, terror
Berlin has revoked Iranian airline Mahan’s right to operate in Germany, a senior government source told Reuters on Monday, giving both safety concerns and the suspicion that the airline was being used for military purposes as reasons.
Rohingya Muslim group fleeing India to Bangladesh stuck on ‘zero line’
Bangladesh has denied entry to 31 Rohingya Muslims trying to enter from India and they are stuck in no-man’s land on the border, Bangladesh authorities said on Monday, as India cracks down on members of the community.
‘Sitting ducks’: Volunteer describes rescue at besieged Kenyan hotel
As the sun set on an upmarket hotel complex in Nairobi, Serge Medic’s phone pinged with a message from his son: “Dad, are you OK?… Don’t do anything silly, please.”
Israel strikes in Syria in more open confrontation with Iran
Israel struck in Syria early on Monday as part of its increasingly open assault on Iran’s presence there, shaking the night sky over Damascus with an hour of loud explosions in a second consecutive night of military action.
