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A30 WORLD NEWS
Dialuna 7 December 2020

Last-ditch post-Brexit trade talks to

resume between EU, UK

German experts defuse WWII-

era bomb found in Frankfurt

(AP) — German explosives experts successfully de-
fused and disposed of a 500-kilogram (1,100 pound)
bomb Sunday in the country’s financial capital Frank-
furt, which was dropped during World War II and dis-
covered during recent construction.

About 13,000 residents were evacuated from the city’s Gallus
district and trains were stopped from running through the
area as Hesse state experts went to work on the bomb.
The bomb was found during construction Thursday and ex-
(AP) — European Union Sunday and said that “we are that the talks were “very diffi- perts had estimated they would need at least six hours to de-
and British negotiators going to see what happens,” cult” after what he described fuse it, but they were able to complete their work in under
Sunday entered what is amid an ever gloomier out- as a series of “setbacks,” no- two hours, the dpa news agency reported.
potentially the final at- look that a breakthrough tably “ludicrous” demands By evening, Deutsche Bahn said trains were running again
tempt to strike a deal over could be achieved on all out- by the EU on future fishing and residents were able to return to their homes. Around 700
future trade ties, even standing points. rights. who were unable to find places to stay with friends or family
though “significant dif- Foreign Minister Simon Both sides would suffer eco- during the operation were looked after in Frankfurt’s conven-
ferences remain” on three Coveney of Ireland, which nomically from a failure to tion center.
essential points. stands to lose most in case secure a trade deal, but most Even 75 years after the end of World War II, such finds are
of a no-deal exit, told RTE economists think the British relatively common in Germany, testament to the ferocity of
With less than four weeks broadcater that “we’re in a economy would take a great- the conflict.
remaining before the Jan. 1 difficult place as we try to er hit, at least in the short-
cutoff day, the negotiators close it out.” term, as it is relatively more
might have less than 48 hours The new negotiating session reliant on trade with the EU Pope: Christmas a sign of hope
to clinch a breakthrough be- was authorized after a phone than vice versa.
cause European Commis- call between von der Leyen The talks would surely have amid difficulties of pandemic
sion President Ursula von and Johnson on Saturday, collapsed by now were the in-
der Leyen and British Prime where the two leaders noted terests and economic costs at
Minister Boris Johnson will that fundamental differences stake not so massive. But be-
assess late Monday if there is between the two sides remain cause the EU is an economic
any point in continuing. over a “level playing field” — power of 450 million people
While the U.K. left the EU the standards the U.K. must and Britain has major diplo-
on Jan. 31, it remains within meet to export into the bloc matic and security interests
the bloc’s tariff-free single — how future disputes are beyond its own commercial
market and customs union resolved and fishing rights might, the two sides want to
through Dec. 31. Reaching for EU trawlers in U.K. wa- explore every last chance to
a trade deal by then would ters. get a deal before they become
ensure there are no tariffs Still, they said a “further ef- acrimonious rivals.
and trade quotas on goods fort should be undertaken by The main problem at the
exported or imported by the our negotiating teams to as- heart of the negotiations is
two sides, although there sess whether they can be re- how to reconcile how Britain
would still be technical costs, solved.” Johnson and von der wrests itself free of EU rules (AP) — Pope Francis says the Christmas season pro-
partly associated with cus- Leyen said they would talk and the bloc’s insistence that vides reason for hope amid the difficulties of the coro-
toms checks and non-tariff again and underlined that no country, however impor- navirus pandemic.
barriers on services. “no agreement is feasible if tant, should get easy access to
Britain’s main negotiator, these issues are not resolved.” its lucrative market by under- During his Sunday blessing, Francis noted that the Vatican’s
David Frost, arrived on a Speed is now of the essence cutting its high environmen- Christmas tree had gone up last week in St. Peter’s Square,
high-speed Eurostar train since EU member states have tal and social standards. and that work is underway to build the life-size Nativity
to unanimously support any The politically charged issue scene next to it.
deal. EU chief negotiator of fisheries also continues to Pointing to the tree from his studio window over the square,
Barnier has been invited to play an outsized role. The Francis said such symbols of Christmas “are signs of hope,
a pre-dawn briefing of EU EU has demanded wide- especially in this difficult period.”
ambassadors on Monday, as spread access to U.K. fish- He urged the faithful to recall the true meaning of Christmas
the bloc’s 27 nations want to ing grounds that historically — the birth of Jesus — and lend a hand to the neediest. He
fully grasp what the chances have been open to foreign said: “There’s no pandemic, there’s no crisis that can extin-
are of getting a deal before trawlers. But in Britain, gain- guish this light.”
EU leaders arrive in Brussels ing control of the fishing The Vatican hasn’t released the pope’s Christmas schedule,
for a two-day summit start- grounds was a main issue for but he usually celebrates a Christmas Eve Mass and then
ing Thursday. the Brexiteers who pushed offers a blessing on Christmas Day. The Vatican’s liturgical
British Environment Secre- for the country to leave the services are being held without the general public present be-
tary George Eustice warned EU. cause of COVID-19.