UK rebuffs Finnish demand for Brexit solutions

AFP,  London

The British government said yesterday said it would submit new ideas for a Brexit deal but “not according to an artificial deadline”, after Finland called for written proposals this month.

A spokesman for Prime Minister Boris Johnson’s government said London had already shared with the EU written “technical non-papers which reflect the ideas the UK has been putting forward”.Technical “non-papers” are documents used in negotiations that do not represent a formal position.

“We will table formal written solutions when we are ready, not according to an artificial deadline, and when the EU is clear that it will engage constructively on them as a replacement for the backstop,” the spokesman said.

Canada PM in ‘brownface’ 2001 yearbook photo

BBC, London

Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau has apologised for wearing "brownface" make-up at a private school gala nearly two decades ago.

The 2001 yearbook picture obtained by Time Magazine shows Mr Trudeau with skin-darkening make-up on his face and hands at the West Point Grey Academy.

Addressing the image, Mr Trudeau said he "deeply regretted" his actions and "should have known better".

The prime minister is battling for re-election on 21 October.

Mr Trudeau, son of the late former Prime Minister Pierre Trudeau, used to teach at the Vancouver private school.

The image is politically embarrassing for the prime minister because he has made progressive policies a signature issue.

Black panther found prowling roofs in French town

BBC, London

A young black panther found prowling the roofs of a northern French town has been captured by emergency services.

Astonished residents in Armentières near Lille gazed at the powerful feline walking along a second floor ledge and going in and out of an open window for nearly an hour on Wednesday. Police made a cordon in case it jumped while rescuers entered the building calmly so as not to shock the big cat. A vet was then able to tranquilise it with a dart.

The animal, weighing about 20kg (45lb), is about five or six months old and the size of a small Labrador dog, Kader Laghouati from the Animal Protection League organisation in Lille told La Voix du Nord newspaper.