Barnier says Brexit talks can’t move forward +++ Hamas announces deal with Fatah +++ Rajoy sets deadline for Catalonia

12. November 2017, 02:00

Barnier says Brexit talks can’t move forward

The European Union negotiator in the Brexit talks, Michel Barnier has said he cannot ask a summit of EU leaders next week to agree to open talks on Britain’s future relationship with the EU. Barnier has said Britain is still not ready to confirm its financial commitments to the EU after its withdrawal, and talks are currently at an impasse. A fifth round of negotiations has just closed.

Hamas announces deal with Fatah

The Palestinian militant group Hamas says it has reached a reconciliation agreement with the rival Fatah party of Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas, to mend a decade long rift. The agreement came after talks in Cairo mediated by Egypt. Fatah has said details will be given at a press briefing later today. Former Palestinian cabinet minister Mustafa Barghouti has said he understood the agreement is limited but is a step forward: “This is a good development, it’s positive, and this could establish the road to building a unified Palestinian leadership which is very much a need for building peace in the future.”

Rajoy sets deadline for Catalonia

Spanish prime minister Mariano Rajoy has set a deadline of next Monday for Catalonia’s leader Carles Puigdemont to clarify whether or not the region has declared independence, after the Catalan leader made a symbolic declaration on Tuesday. Rajoy set a second deadline of Thursday next week for the Catalan government to drop any independence bid, or possibly face direct rule from Madrid. Spain is celebrating its national day today.

Austria takes German road tolls to court

Austria is taking Germany to the European Court of Justice over Berlin’s plans for a road toll which would apply ultimately only to foreign-registered cars. Austria has said the toll is indirect discrimination on the basis of nationality. The toll agreed by the German parliament in March is not yet in effect.

Lufthansa to take much of Air Berlin

German media are reporting that Lufthansa has reached agreement to buy large parts of the bankrupt carrier Air Berlin. Its subsidiary Niki, which is not insolvent, is part of the deal. Talks on the future of Air Berlin have been underway with Lufthansa and EasyJet.

Germany extends border controls

Germany is extending passport controls along the German-Austrian border, and on flights coming in from Greece, for another six months from November. Interior Minister Thomas de Maiziere has said the controls are necessary because of continuing illegal migration and security concerns.

Asteroid whizzes by Earth

An asteroid up to thirty meters long has flown by Earth, at 40,000 kilometres from the planet. The asteroid’s passage, well within the moon’s orbit, is being studied by a global network of telescopes.

The weather

Mainly sunny, cloudier north of the Alps. Top temperatures 16 to 24 degrees.

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