Brussels, Belgium | AFP |Britain and the European Union launch a new round of fraught Brexit negotiations Monday with Brussels pressing weakened British Prime Minister Theresa May to quickly set out her divorce strategy. Brexit minister David Davis travels to Brussels to meet Michel Barnier, the EU’s chief negotiator, for …
Read More »Britain celebrates literary icon Jane Austen on bicentenary of her death
Winchester, United Kingdom | AFP | Two hundred years after Jane Austen’s death, Britain is celebrating one of its best-loved authors, who combined romance with biting social commentary that still speaks to fans around the world. The author of classic novels “Pride and Prejudice”, “Emma” and “Sense and Sensibility” had …
Read More »Coldplay release song to support migrants
New York, United States | AFP | English rockers Coldplay have released a new song written with ambient legend Brian Eno, with proceeds to support migrants who make the dangerous journey to Europe across the Mediterranean. “Aliens,” released late Thursday alongside an animated video, is the latest single from Coldplay’s upcoming …
Read More »ANALYSIS: ‘Schoolmaster’ Xi leaves Hong Kong smarting
Hong Kong, China | AFP | A landmark visit by Chinese President Xi Jinping to Hong Kong left little doubt that Beijing views the city as a destabilising hotbed of unacceptable political dissent that must prove its loyalty, analysts said Sunday. His three-day trip to celebrate 20 years since Hong …
Read More »China’s Xi draws ‘red line’ in Hong Kong
Hong Kong, China | AFP | China’s President Xi Jinping said Saturday Hong Kong was freer than ever before but laid down an uncrossable “red line” for any challenge to Beijing’s authority as the city marked 20 years since it was handed back by Britain. Xi spoke in a televised …
Read More »China’s president Xi in landmark visit to Hong Kong
Hong Kong, China | AFP | President Xi Jinping arrives in Hong Kong on Thursday to mark 20 years since it was handed back to China by Britain, a trip that has already riled democracy activists in the politically divided city. The three-day visit is his first since becoming leader …
Read More »UK Labour leader Corbyn will ‘try to force early election’
London, United Kingdom | AFP | British opposition leader Jeremy Corbyn has vowed to “try to force an early general election” after Prime Minster Theresa May lost her parliamentary majority, in an interview published Saturday. Corbyn’s Labour Party outperformed expectations in this month’s election, turning what was predicted to be …
Read More »London tower blocks evacuated over fire fears
London, United Kingdom | AFP | Thousands of residents from 650 London flats were evacuated Saturday due to fire safety fears in the wake of the Grenfell Tower tragedy, but dozens refused to leave their homes, according to local officials. Four of the five Chalcots Estate towers in Camden, north …
Read More »UK parliament cuts e-mail access after cyberattack
London, United Kingdom | AFP | Britain’s parliament shut down external access to e-mail accounts on Saturday following a cyberattack. Parliamentary authorities described the attack as “sustained and determined”, in an email sent to lawmakers and published by the Daily Telegraph. “Earlier this morning we discovered unusual activity and evidence …
Read More »Five London towers being evacuated over fire safety fears
London, United Kingdom | AFP | Five residential London tower blocks were being evacuated on Friday due to fire safety concerns over their external cladding following the deadly Grenfell Tower inferno. The towers in the Swiss Cottage area of north London, containing around 800 homes, were deemed unsafe following urgent …
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