UK Brexit minister: May ‘fighting day and night’ to secure deal
Theresa May is “fighting day and night” to secure a Brexit agreement, aiming to make progress on the issue of the Northern Ireland backstop that is recognized as a concern on both sides, Brexit minister Stephen Barclay said on Thursday.
Congo fire destroys thousands of voting machines for presidential election
A fire overnight at a warehouse in Congo’s capital destroyed thousands of voting machines and ballot boxes that were due to be used in the country’s long-delayed Dec. 23 presidential election, authorities said on Thursday.
France ready to take Strasbourg suspect dead or alive, says government spokesman
Hundreds of police scoured eastern France on Thursday for a fugitive gunman behind a deadly Strasbourg Christmas market attack that left two people dead and six others fighting for their lives.
Australia PM promises stiffer laws against religious discrimination
Australian Prime Minister Scott Morrison on Thursday promised stiffer legislation against religious discrimination, and a new commissioner to act as a watchdog on freedom of religion issues.
Sweden says outcome of Yemen peace consultations to be conveyed to U.N. on Friday
Sweden’s Foreign Minister Margot Wallstrom said the outcome of Yemen’s peace consultations will be conveyed to the U.N. Security Council on Friday.
Weakened UK PM May turns to Brussels for help on Brexit
A weakened Theresa May was set to ask European leaders for help on Thursday after a mutiny by more than a third of her lawmakers failed to unseat her but left parliament heading for deadlock over Brexit.
German industry group BDI calls on Britain to pass Brexit deal quickly
German industry association BDI called on Britain to quickly pass an agreement on the country’s exit from the European Union to avert a hard Brexit.
Brexit clarifications possible, but no further negotiations: EU’Oettinger
The European Union is open to add clarifications to the Brexit deal but there won’t be further negotiations in substance on issues such as the backstop solution on Northern Ireland, European Commissioner Guenther Oettinger said on Thursday.
Slovak PM says EU has no intention of reopening Brexit deal
The chance of a hard Brexit is getting closer and the European Union has no intention of renegotiating its divorce agreement with Britain, Slovak Prime Minister Peter Pellegrini said on Thursday.
Eritrea President Isaias departs for first ever visit to Somalia: minister
Eritrean President Isaias Afwerki departed on Thursday for a visit to Somalia, his first ever visit, Eritrea’s information minister said.
