Europe is firmly committed to upholding the Paris climate accord, France's President Emmanuel Macron said today, voicing hopes that sceptics like US President Donald Trump can be persuaded to change their minds.
	Western European leaders meeting in Berlin ahead of next week's G20 summit "reaffirmed their very strong commitment to the Paris accord," said Macron. "I hope that the others can be brought back to their senses," he said.

'EU committed to climate pact, hopes to persuade dissenters'

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German Chancellor Angela Merkel appeared headed for a collision course with US President Donald Trump today after vowing to make a stand next week for climate protection and open markets at what is expected to be the most fractious G20 summit in years.
	Merkel said discussions at the July 7-8 gathering of world leaders in Hamburg would be difficult given Trump's climate scepticism and "America First" stance, but that she was determined to seek a clear commitment to the Paris accord against global warming and a pledge against protectionism.
	When Trump announced in early June he would withdraw from the Paris deal, "we knew that we could not expect discussions to be easy" at the G20 summit, Merkel told the German parliament.
	"The differences are obvious and it would be dishonest to try to cover that up. That I won't do," she said, adding that the US exit from the 2015 Paris pact had made Europe "more determined than ever" to make the accord a success.
	Without naming names, she also ...

Merkel takes aim at Trump ahead of stormy G20

The peak of the migrant crisis in Europe has passed but many of those who came are here to stay and governments must focus on helping them integrate, the OECD said today.
	In the first six months of this year, about 72,000 migrants landed on Europe's shores, around 12 times fewer than in the second half of 2015 when the crisis peaked, the Paris- based body said in its annual report on international migration.
	But many of those who came, fleeing war or persecution, "are likely to stay for some time, at least until their home countries are safe again", said Stefano Scarpetta, OECD Director for Employment, Labour and Social Affairs, in the report.
	The countries who took in migrants "should focus on helping refugees who are likely to stay in the host country settle and integrate in the labour market and society," he said.
	"This calls for a rethinking of both domestic policies and international cooperation," Scarpetta added.
	Despite numbers coming to Europe tailing off, in 2016, around 

Migrants here to stay in Europe, now integrate them, OECD says

Dutch competition authorities slapped the national rail operator with a multi-million-euro fine today for breaking the law during a 2014 tender process to provide regional rail services.
	"National Rail (NS) abused its position of power" in a bid to win a contract in the southern Limburg province, the Authority for Consumers and Markets said, handing down a 41- million-euro (USD 46.8-million) fine.
	"The NS made a loss-making bid... In which the costs would have been higher than the income the NS expected to generate through regional transport services in Limburg," the ACM said in a statement.
	The ACM said internal emails and documents clearly showed the NS manoeuvered to "thwart the competition."
	The NS also used confidential information gleaned from a former director of Veolia, one of the three other companies bidding for the contract, the ACM said.
	In a statement after the decision, NS said it "disputes that it made a loss-making offer," adding it has formally objected and ...

Dutch rail operator fined over regional services contract

Egypt announced a new sharp increase in fuel prices today, as it slashes government subsidies in a tough IMF-backed reform programme.
	The cabinet said that 82 octane petrol would sell for 3.65 pounds a litre (0.80 pounds a gallon) up from 2.35 (0.52), with the same increase for diesel, while 92 octane petrol rose from 3.5 (0.77) to 5.0 (1.1) pounds.
	The government first increased fuel prices in 2014 and again in November last year after floating the pound.
	The country had spent billions of dollars propping up the pound, which rose from 8.9 pounds to the dollar to 18 after its flotation.
	Investors and international lenders have applauded the reforms but the measures have fuelled inflation, which now hovers around 30 per cent.
	Last year, the International Monetary Fund approved a $12 billion loan to Egypt to be disbursed over three years to help finance the reforms.

Egypt slashes fuel subsidies in IMF-backed reform

Six soldiers were killed in Yemen today, a military source said, as government forces seek to cement their control over Marib province, east of the rebel- held capital.
	The source said 14 Shiite rebels were also killed over the past 24 hours in intense fighting for Sarwah, the last district in the mainly Sunni province still held by the rebels.
	The government has been battling since last year to retake the mountainous district which commands the main road to the capital Sanaa.
	Despite the military intervention of a Saudi-led coalition in March 2015, the government's writ is still largely confined to the south and areas along the Saudi border.
	The government announced a shake-up of its military command on Wednesday. It also named new governors for three of the six provinces largely under its control -- Hadramawt, Shabwa and the far-flung island of Socotra.
	Both Hadramawt and Shabwa have seen significant activity by Al-Qaeda, which has taken advantage of the conflict between the ...

Yemen troops, rebels killed in battle for central province

China vowed today to continue providing the Philippines with "necessary assistance", a day after Beijing donated thousands of weapons to the country to help its fight against Islamist gunmen.
	Foreign Minister Wang Yi made the remarks during a visit by his Philippine counterpart Alan Peter Cayetano and pledged China's help with reconstruction efforts in the war-torn southern city of Marawi.
	"Yesterday the first batch of emergency assistance was delivered to the Philippines," Wang told a joint news conference in Beijing.
	"In the future, in keeping with the Philippines' needs, we will continue to provide necessary assistance and help."
	The small shipment of assault and sniper rifles and ammunition is the first example of Chinese military aid since Philippine President Rodrigo Duterte threatened to move away from Manila's traditional ally America and seek Beijing's support.
	The weapons shipment, worth some 50 million yuan ($7.35 million) "highlights the dawn of a new era in ...

China offers Philippines more aid against drugs, terrorism

Maersk, the Danish container and shipping giant crippled by a global cyberattack this week, said today most of its operations were now up and running again.
	"We are able to accept bookings again," the company said on its website.
	In addition, "the majority of our terminals are now operational. Some of these terminals are operating slower than usual or with limited functionality."
	Maersk said on Wednesday that a number of its 76 container terminals were affected by the cyberattack and were forced to run on manual systems, but would not specify which sites.
	"We continue to assess the situation. Until this analysis is complete, we cannot be specific about how many sites and locations are affected or when normal business operations are restored," today's statement said.
	Maersk's two terminals in Rotterdam, Europe's biggest port, were affected on Wednesday, as was a terminal run by Maersk at the Mumbai port, the largest in India.
	When the systems are down, "we have to manage on a ...

Most Maersk operations running after cyberattack

The US embassy in Colombo warned today its citizens visiting Sri Lanka to avoid travelling alone in tuk-tuks after a spate of sexual harassment complaints.
	The embassy, in a message posted on its website, advised women against hailing the brightly-coloured autorickshaws used widely to get around in Sri Lanka.
	"The US embassy Colombo has been made aware of an increase in incidents involving tuk-tuk drivers in the Colombo area inappropriately touching female passengers," said the statement.
	"Females should avoid travelling in tuk-tuks alone in Colombo."
	Many of the reported incidents occurred at the end of a ride, the embassy said. Those opting to use tuk-tuks were requested to take photos of the driver and registration plate before boarding.
	There are some 1.2 million autorickshaws in Sri Lanka, most used as taxis in a country where public transport is often unreliable and overcrowded.

US embassy warns women against using tuk-tuks in Sri Lanka

A Chinese state-run newspaper today accused Australia of spying on China and stealing its technology, weeks after Beijing rejected allegations of interference in Australian politics.
	An employee of China's national security department told the Global Times that Australian intelligence agents "in disguise" collect information from Chinese people overseas or "even encourage them to subvert China".
	Agents also closely monitor Chinese people and the embassy in Australia to foil "Chinese spy threats", according to the article published on the newspaper's front page.
	"In global covert struggles, Australia had never played the role of victim," the unidentified staffer was quoted as saying.
	"However, they are wantonly working on intelligence about China and groundlessly accusing China of spying on them. The logic is ridiculous."
	The Australian government did not immediately respond to the allegations.
	The article follows an Australian media report this month that Australia's ...

Australia accused of spying on China: Chinese media

German consumers are expected to remain cheerful through July, pollsters GfK said today, as the public falls in step with general optimism about Europe's largest economy.
	GfK's forward-looking poll of around 2,000 consumers forecast an increase of 0.2 points to reach 10.6 in July, continuing an upward trend observed over the past two months.
	"Germans see the domestic economy in excellent shape into the beginning of the summer," the firm commented in a statement.
	"Even uncertainty about possible restrictions on trade by the US government or the start of Brexit negotiations can't cloud the picture for now," they went on -- although both could be troubling prospects for citizens of Europe's export powerhouse.
	June saw an upturn in all the indexes feeding into GfK's indicator, with consumers expecting a stronger economy and higher incomes as well as being more prepared to spend money.
	Low interest rates have contributed to people's inclination to spend over saving, the survey found, .

German consumers look forward to good life in summer

Mongolia's first-ever presidential runoff has been brought forward by two days to June 7 due to a traditional sporting festival, the country's electoral authorities said today.
	The three candidates in Monday's first-round poll fell well short of the absolute majority needed to secure the presidency, extending the drama of an election marked by corruption scandals.
	Former judoka Khaltmaa Battulga of the opposition Democratic Party and speaker of the parliament Mieygombo Enkhbold of the ruling Mongolian People's Party (MPP) were the top two finishers and will contest the runoff.
	Both parties asked for the date to be brought forward due to the start of the long national Naadam holiday a few days later -- Mongolia's biggest festival featuring wrestling, archery and horse-riding.
	"Political parties, unions and a parliament member demanded to make the second polling on July 6," General Election Commission chairman Choizon Sodnomtseren said.
	But "because voting ballots must be printed ..

Mongolia changes presidential runoff date to July 7

German Chancellor Angela Merkel warned today against protectionism and isolationism at a time when the world faces global challenges such as climate change and the threat of terrorism.
	"Those who think that the problems of this world can be solved with isolationism or protectionism are terribly wrong," she told the German parliament ahead of the July 7-8 Group of 20 summit.
	She acknowledged that even within export powerhouse Germany, there are anti-globalisation voices and critics against free-trade agreements.
	"But protectionism isn't the answer," she said, adding that at the G20 summit in the northern city of Hamburg, Germany's biggest port, she would be seeking a "clear signal for open markets and against sealing off".
	Merkel's stance on trade sets her on a collision course with US President Donald Trump, who has championed an "America First" policy and whose administration refused to sign up to an anti-protectionist pledge at a G20 finance ministers' meeting in March.

Ahead of G20, Merkel warns against protectionism, isolationism

NATO allies will increase troop numbers in Afghanistan to help the government battle a resurgent Taliban but there is no question of returning to a combat role, the alliance's chief Jens Stoltenberg said today.
	NATO ended its longest-ever military operation in 2014 when it handed over frontline duties to the Afghan military and took on an advice and training mission, but recent Taliban gains have dented hopes of a quick end to the war.
	As he arrived for a defence ministers meeting in Brussels to discuss the issue, Stoltenberg said the 29 NATO allies were considering an increase of several thousand soldiers.
	"I can confirm we will increase our presence in Afghanistan," he said.
	"We have to understand this is about training, assistance, advice... It is not to conduct combat operations but to help the Afghans fight."
	Additional troops now could help bolster Afghan special forces, improve Kabul's air force to provide ground support and evacuations, and step up officer training, he ...

No NATO combat role in Afghanistan: Stoltenberg

South Korea's new government will seek to sign a peace treaty with the North if it abandons its nuclear weapons, a minister said today.
	Vice Unification Minister Chun Hae-Sung's comments came hours before South Korea's new leader Moon Jae-In -- who backs engagement with Pyongyang -- was set to hold his first summit with US President Donald Trump, with the North's growing nuclear and missile threats casting a long shadow.
	The two Koreas are still technically at war because a peace treaty was never agreed to replace the 1953 armistice that ended the conflict on the peninsula.
	The US -- the South's security guarantor -- has 28,500 troops stationed in the country to protect it from its neighbour, and a treaty could entail their withdrawal, which has long been demanded by Pyongyang.
	"We have to get over the current unstable system of armistice and put an end to the war on the Korean peninsula that has not yet ended," Chun said in a keynote speech at a seminar.
	But a treaty could only .

S Korea to offer North treaty for denuclearisation: minister

Terminally-ill Nobel laureate Liu Xiaobo wants Chinese authorities to let him get treatment abroad, friends say, as officials said his cancer has spread throughout his body.
	Prominent Chinese dissident writer Liao Yiwu told AFP that Liu's wife sent a formal request to China's state security ministry requesting permission for the couple and her brother to leave the country.
	The Nobel Peace Prize winner, who was sentenced to 11 years in prison in 2009 for "subversion" after calling for democratic reforms, was released on medical parole after being diagnosed with terminal liver cancer last month, his lawyer said this week.
	His wife, Liu Xia, sent the request before the diagnosis, but family friends say the couple wants the 61-year-old democracy campaigner to be treated abroad.
	"I learned two weeks ago that Liu Xiaobo said that if he dies, he wants to die in the West," Liao, a family friend who lives in Germany, said in a phone interview.
	Another friend, who requested anonymity out ..

Nobel winner Liu wants cancer treatment abroad, friends say

A parole committee has decided to grant early release to Israeli ex-prime minister Ehud Olmert, who is serving a 27-month prison sentence for corruption, his lawyer said today.
	"The committee accepted all our arguments," Olmert's lawyer Shani Illouz told public radio. "As of now, Olmert will be released on Sunday," she said, noting the justice ministry could still appeal the decision.

Former Israeli PM Olmert granted early prison release: lawyer

President Xi Jinping arrived in Hong Kong today to mark 20 years since its return to China by Britain, with activists under arrest as authorities sought to avoid embarrassment during anniversary celebrations.
	A huge security operation shut down large parts of the normally throbbing city, with thousands of police deployed to keep away demonstrators angry at Beijing's tightening grip on the freedoms of nearly eight million people.
	The lockdown reflects Beijing's concern that nothing should be allowed to taint the high-profile visit, ahead of a key Communist Party congress later this year which is expected to cement Xi's position as the most powerful Chinese leader in a generation.
	More than 20 activists -- including Joshua Wong and young legislator Nathan Law -- remained in custody after being arrested for causing a "public nuisance" during a Wednesday night protest.
	The three-day visit is Xi's first since becoming leader in 2013, and comes three years after huge pro-democracy ...

China's President Xi arrives in divided Hong Kong

Former Israeli PM Olmert granted early prison release:

Football and showbiz stars gather in northern Argentina tomorrow for Latin America's celebrity wedding bash of the decade when Barcelona superstar Lionel Messi marries his childhood sweetheart Antonella Roccuzzo.
	Pop star Shakira and her husband, Messi's teammate Gerard Pique, are expected among the 260 guests, according to media and locals close to the event.
	They will join old friends of the couple and footballers such as his Barcelona strike partners Luis Suarez and Neymar.
	The party at a casino in his hometown Rosario will be a respite for the player from his legal woes. A Spanish court last month rejected his appeal against a conviction for tax fraud.
     - All-star guest list -
	=======================
     Brunette bride Roccuzzo, 29, will wear a dress by Spanish designer Rosa Clara, which has been flown over from Barcelona.
	The designer has dressed stars such as actresses Eva Longoria and Sofia Vergara as well as Spain's Queen Letizia.
     From 2200 GMT the guests will ..

Football, showbiz stars set for Messi's wedding

Cricket Australia has sent a formal letter to warring players officially informing them they will be unemployed if a deal is not reached this week in their protracted pay dispute.
	Amid reports that Australia's cricketers will decide this weekend whether their image rights are sold offshore, CA high performance manager Pat Howard has warned they must seek permission to play in other Twenty20 leagues.
	Months of bitter negotiations are coming to a head before the current Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) expires on Friday with players to be unemployed if there is no resolution.
	Coming tours to Bangladesh and India are also at risk along with England's showpiece Ashes tour to Australia later in the year.
	With the increasing likelihood of no agreement, media are reporting that some players will seek employment in foreign T20 leagues if they are left without a contract.
	CA has warned players that if they sign with competing sponsors they will not be offered new contracts, The ...

AFP

AFP

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