France has made "undeniable efforts" to roll out a feminist foreign policy with women holding top ministerial jobs, but is still falling short in defending women's rights around the world, according to a new report.. "France, the country of human rights, can be an example for the world," said Pierre-Brossolette, particularly as Sweden has fallen back from the lead.
South American trade block Mercosur opened a two-day summit on Monday with host Argentina calling for an "update" to a long-paused trade deal with the European Union which it said was the product of an "asymmetrical" relationship.. Given the divide, Bruno Binetti, an expert on international affairs at the Inter-American Dialogue think tank in Washington, said "the most" that could come out of the Argentina summit was "a specific agenda" with "demands."
A man who claims that Kevin Spacey sexually assaulted him said the Hollywood actor was an aggressive "predator" uncomfortable with his sexuality, a London court was told on Monday.. It makes me feel sick," he told police, describing Spacey as a "predator" who was "aggressive".
The city government in Paris said Monday it was "not worried" about knock-on effects from almost a week of riots on next year's Olympic Games. . Sports Minister Amelie Oudea-Castera said Monday that the government had "taken measures in recent days to again step up security of infrastructure" linked to next year's Olympics.
The UK on Monday rejected a possible bid by Orkney to break away and join Norway, after the leader of the remote islands off Scotland's northeast coast complained of neglect by both London and Edinburgh.. While it appears far-fetched, Orkney separatism poses a potential dilemma for the Scottish National Party -- which controls the Edinburgh government and itself wants to break free of London. jit/phz/fg
The UK this year has seen its hottest June on record, both in terms of mean temperature and the average maximum temperature, the British Meteorological Office said Monday.. Last year England had its joint hottest summer on record, tied with 2018, and the fourth hottest for the whole of the UK, leading to school closures and train cancellations.
Hong Kong police offered on Monday HK$1 million bounties for information leading to the capture of eight prominent democracy activists based abroad and wanted for national security crimes.. A reward of HK$1 million ($127,644) was offered for each activist to anyone providing information on their whereabouts "leading to the arrest or satisfactory prosecution".
Thailand's king opened parliament Monday following a shock election result in which the pro-democracy opposition trounced army-backed parties that have ruled the kingdom for nearly a decade.. It was the first time the king has opened parliament in its new home, a gigantic structure on Bangkok's riverside.
The last surviving Frenchman to participate in the Allied invasion of Normandy in 1944 died Monday aged 100, local authorities said. . He died in hospital in Caen early Monday, the mayor of nearby Ouistreham Romain Bail said, close to the Normandy beaches where the fierce battles are commemorated every year.
Senegal braced for a potential showdown on Monday as President Macky Sall prepared to make a long-awaited announcement on whether he plans to seek a controversial third term.. The president is due to make the announcement on national television at 8:00 pm (2000 GMT).
