Britain sees no good alternative to its Brexit plan for Irish border
Reuters, Berlin
Britain is sticking to its plans for a post-Brexit border between its province of Northern Ireland and EU member Ireland, the country’s Brexit minister was quoted as saying after signals from the EU that it was open to new ideas.
The United Kingdom is due to leave the EU in March next year, and so far no comprehensive agreement has been reached. One of the most difficult problems is how to avoid a hard border between Ireland and Northern Ireland.
Anti-Kremlin activist was probably poisoned: Berlin doctor
Reuters, Berlin
An anti-Kremlin activist who is in Berlin for treatment was probably poisoned with a substance that has affected his nervous system, his doctors said on Tuesday.
Pyotr Verzilov, publisher of a Russian online news outlet and affiliated with the anti-Kremlin band Pussy Riot, temporarily lost his sight, hearing and ability to walk, but is doing better since he arrived in Germany on Saturday.
Storm kills 55 in Laos
Xinhua, Vientiane
Over 2,000 villages across Laos had been affected by floods after two tropical storms passed over Laos from July to September, in which 55 people died, two people were injured and 100 people are still missing. The figures were reported at a meeting between the government cabinet, Vientiane mayor and provincial governor on Monday.
According to the report from the National Ad Hoc Committee, from the middle of July to September, capital Vientiane and 17 provinces had been badly hit by tropical storms Son-tinh and Bebinca, which brought heavy rain, floods and landslides to many areas.
EU probes automakers over emission systems
AP, Brussels
European Union regulators have opened an in-depth investigation into whether automakers BMW, Daimler and Volkswagen colluded to limit the development and roll-out of car emission control systems.
The EU Commission said Tuesday that it had received information that BMW, Daimler, Volkswagen, and VW units Audi and Porsche held meetings to discuss clean technologies aimed at limiting car exhaust emissions.
French Interior Minister to quit
AFP, Paris
France’s Interior Minister Gerard Collomb announced Tuesday that he will stand down next year to run again for his old job as mayor of the city of Lyon, in yet another blow to President Emmanuel Macron.
The announcement from Collomb, a political heavyweight and one of Macron’s most loyal ministers, comes after popular environment minister Nicolas Hulot quit last month and as the president’s approval ratings have plummeted.
