Germany’s trade surplus for 2016 rose to 252.9 billion euros (216 billion pounds), surpassing the previous high of 244.3 billion euros in 2015, the Federal Statistics Office said. “The record surplus will continue to fuel the conflict with the USA and within the EU,” Source: Reuters
The state of Berlin has been ordered to pay a Muslim teacher €6,900 after it rejected her job application on the grounds that she wore a head scarf. The Berlin labour court ordered the state to pay the woman the equivalent of two months’ salary. A second case of a teacher whom the state rejected because of her head scarf is also currently being considered by the court. Source The Local
China’s legislature passed a new intelligence law on Tuesday after an unusually brief round of discussions, a draft of which gave new powers to monitor suspects, raid premises and seize vehicles and devices. President Xi Jinping has overseen a raft of legislation to bolster national security against perceived threats from both within and outside China. Source Reuters
Japanese Prime Minister Shinzo Abe said that the research delegation would visit the Kurils in late June. Japanese media confirmed later in the month that a group of about 70 people would be led by Abe’s adviser Eiichi Hasegawa. The group is expected to visit the facilities that have been recognized as prospective for development of joint Russian-Japanese economic activity on the Kuril Islands. Source Sputnik
