referendum bill
AFP, Edinburgh
Scotland’s government published a draft independence referendum bill on Thursday as a fallback plan if it is not able to keep strong ties with the EU and win more powers from London as part of Brexit talks. The bill would give non-British EU citizens living in Scotland, who were not allowed to take part in the EU referendum, the right to vote on independence.
Obama may take action before leaving office: Netanyahu
AFP, Jerusalem
Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has expressed concern President Barack Obama may take action Israel opposes at the United Nations before leaving office as US criticism of its settlement building intensifies.
Netanyahu’s statement late Wednesday comes after speculation Obama could break with recent US practice and support-or at least not veto-a UN Security Council resolution laying out parameters for resolving the Israeli-Palestinian conflict.
7 injured in Japan earthquake
AP, Tokyo
A powerful earthquake in western Japan knocked loose roof tiles, toppled store shelves and caused power outages Friday afternoon, but apparently caused no widespread damage. At least seven people were injured, one seriously. The Japan Meteorological Agency said the 6.6-magnitude quake occurred in Tottori, a prefecture on the Sea of Japan about 700 kilometers (430 miles) west of Tokyo.
