WORLD

Berlin, Germany | AFP | Enemies during both world wars, France and Germany have since forged a close friendship, acting together as the powerhouse driving the European Union. Below are highlights of their relations since the end of World War II: – Beginnings of EU – – May 9, 1950: French …

Paris, France | AFP | Eye-watering, throat-scratching air pollution is a major driver of big city blues in China, according to a study published Monday that matched social network chatter with fine-particle pollution levels. “The take-away is simple,” lead author Siqi Zheng, an associate professor at MIT and director of the …

Caracas, Venezuela | AFP | Monday’s brief mutiny by Venezuelan soldiers was not the first time President Nicolas Maduro has faced a military challenge to his leadership. Since coming to power in 2013 following the death of socialist revolutionary icon Hugo Chaves, the former bus driver Maduro has faced a number …

Beijing, China | AFP | The second woman carrying a gene-edited foetus in China is now 12 to 14 weeks into her pregnancy, according to a US physician in close contact with the researcher who claimed to have created the world’s first genetically-modified babies last year. Chinese scientist He Jiankui …

Tokyo, Japan | AFP | Toyota announced on Tuesday it was creating a joint venture with Panasonic to develop batteries for electric cars, as the Japanese auto giant ramps up its ambitions for electric-powered vehicles. The firm will be set up by 2020 and controlled 51-49 percent by Toyota, the Prius …

Bruxelles, Belgium | AFP | Divisions between EU countries could delay or derail plans to overhaul copyright law, an ambition that has set up a battle pitting media firms against internet giants like Facebook and Google. The European Parliament, the European Council and the European Commission had planned to meet …

London, United Kingdom | AFP | Keeping the Irish border free-flowing has proved to be the toughest issue to resolve in negotiating Britain’s exit from the European Union. The Brexit deal between London and Brussels — overwhelmingly rejected last week by British MPs — contains a so-called backstop provision ensuring …

London, United Kingdom | AFP | British Prime Minister Theresa May presents her new approach to Brexit on Monday, following MPs’ crushing rejection of the divorce deal agreed with the EU. Lawmakers have their chance to submit amendments, which could indicate whether opinion in parliament is shifting towards alternative routes. Here …

London, United Kingdom | AFP | Britain’s drawn-out drama around Brexit has featured a colourful cast of characters — crashing or catapulting their careers. Here are some of the public figures who have played pivotal roles in events: – Nigel Farage – A eurosceptic member of the European Parliament and former …

Shanghai, China | AFP | After remarkable growth and change for decades, most economists believe China’s economy is entering a period of slower, steadier growth. The world’s second-largest economy grew 6.6 percent last year, government figures showed on Monday, the slowest rate since 1990. Here is a brief look at China’s …