Swiss intelligence helped foil alleged Russian plot to spy on government lab
Switzerland’s intelligence agency said on Friday it had worked with British and Dutch counterparts to foil a Russian plot which, according to newspaper reports, was targeting a Swiss laboratory testing nerve agents such as Novichok.
China makes no mention of new funds for Venezuela in Maduro visit
China made no mention of new funds for Venezuela’s struggling government on Friday after President Nicolas Maduro visited his key foreign financier in hopes of securing new loans.
‘Cartel’ of Sierra Leone officials ran passport scam for U.S. visas: anti-graft chief
Corrupt Sierra Leonean officials have been selling fraudulent service and diplomatic passports for thousands of dollars to individuals hoping to use them to enter the United States, the country’s anti-corruption commissioner told Reuters.
Italy hesitates over refugee deal with Germany, seeks concessions
Italian Deputy Prime Minister Matteo Salvini denied on Friday having reached a deal with Germany to take back migrants who had already applied for asylum in Italy, saying he wanted more concessions from Berlin.
U.S. imposes sanctions on Thai company it accuses of aiding Iran
The United States on Friday imposed sanctions against a Thai aviation company that it said was acting on behalf of Iran’s Mahan Air, which it accused of ferrying troops and supplies into Syria in support of Syrian President Bashar al-Assad.
France to boost cycling with better bike lanes, tax incentives
France plans to boost cycling with better bike lanes, financial incentives for bicycle commuters and measures against bike theft, the government said.
EU’s Barnier says ‘substantive differences’ remain on Brexit deal
The European Union’s chief Brexit negotiator Michel Barnier said on Friday that key differences remained between the EU and Britain over the future of the Irish border and the EU’s system of protecting food names.
Turkey talking to all sides in Syria conflict for Idlib ceasefire: minister
Turkey said on Friday it was talking to all parties in the Syrian conflict to prevent a government offensive on Idlib ahead of talks between Russian and Turkish leaders, who support rival sides in the looming battle for the rebel-held region.
Spymaster dispute won’t fell German coalition: Merkel
German Chancellor Angela Merkel said on Friday her coalition government would survive a row over the future of the domestic intelligence chief following his comments on the hounding of migrants by far-right activists in the eastern city of Chemnitz.
Britain and EU ‘closing in’ on a Brexit agreement, Raab says
Britain and the European Union are “closing in” on a withdrawal agreement, Brexit minister Dominic Raab said on Friday, before a meeting of European leaders in Salzburg next week.
