Macron ex-bodyguard at center of scandal to testify in public next week
The former bodyguard whose violent conduct plunged French President Emmanuel Macron into his biggest political crisis this summer agreed reluctantly to face questioning by senators as their hearings resumed on Wednesday.
Brexit rebels in UK PM May’s party discuss ousting her
About 50 Brexit-supporting lawmakers in British Prime Minister Theresa May’s party have met to discuss how and when they could force her out of her job, the BBC reported on Wednesday.
German SPD leader rejects Syria intervention without U.N. mandate
The leader of Germany’s Social Democrats (SPD) said on Wednesday her party would not agree to military intervention in Syria if the United Nations did not authorize the international community to take such action.
Japan PM Abe says visit to China being arranged for next month
Japanese Prime Minister Shinzo Abe, speaking in Vladivostok after meeting Chinese leader Xi Jinping, said on Wednesday they had agreed to work toward an October visit by him to China, the latest sign of warming ties between the Asian rivals.
China urges U.S. to ‘abandon prejudice’ over Xinjiang
China urged the United States on Wednesday to abandon its “prejudice” over Xinjiang, as the Trump administration considers sanctions against Chinese officials and companies linked to allegations of human rights abuses in the Chinese region.
Polls suggest far-right to gain ground in 2019 EU vote
Sweden’s far-right, anti-immigration party will double its seats in the European Union parliament next May if it matches the 17.6 percent it scored in a national vote on Sunday that came as a jolt to Europe from historically liberal Scandinavia.
U.N. decries ‘shameful’ reprisals on rights activists in 38 countries
The United Nations listed 38 “shameful” countries including China and Russia which it said had carried out reprisals or intimidation against people cooperating with it on human rights through killings, torture and arbitrary arrests.
EU executive will get tough with countries breaking rule of law: Juncker
The European Commission will get tough with European Union countries that do not respect the rule of law, Commission President Jean-Claude Juncker said on Wednesday amid concerns that Poland and Hungary do not observe EU democratic principles.
EU’s Juncker confirms aims for close ties with Britain after Brexit
European Commission head Jean-Claude Juncker on Wednesday renewed a pledge of close trade and security ties with Britain after Brexit but said the European Union would not compromise on key withdrawal terms.
Russia’s Putin says his Japan peace treaty proposal was no joke
Russian President Vladimir Putin said on Wednesday that he was not joking when he proposed that he and Japanese Prime Minister Shinzo Abe sign a peace treaty by the end of the year.
