Recent foreign news

Here are some recent foreign news stories:

Europe

• UK-EU Trade Talks: The UK and EU have agreed on a draft trade deal, which will allow for tariff-free trade in goods and services. The deal still needs to be ratified by the UK and EU parliaments. (BBC News)
• France Protests: Tens of thousands of people have taken to the streets of Paris and other French cities to protest against the government's pension reforms. The protests have turned violent in some areas, with police using tear gas and water cannons to disperse the crowds. (Al Jazeera)
• Germany's Merkel to Step Down: German Chancellor Angela Merkel has announced that she will step down as leader of her party and not seek re-election as chancellor in 2021. Merkel has been in power for 15 years and is one of the most influential leaders in Europe. (The New York Times)

Asia

• China-US Trade Talks: The US and China have agreed to a "phase one" trade deal, which will see China increase its purchases of US agricultural products and the US reduce some tariffs on Chinese goods. The deal is seen as a step towards resolving the long-running trade dispute between the two countries. (The Guardian)
• India's Kashmir Lockdown: The Indian government has extended a lockdown in the disputed region of Kashmir, which has been in place since August. The lockdown has been criticized by human rights groups, who say it is causing widespread suffering and human rights abuses. (The Hindu)
• Japan's Economy: Japan's economy has contracted for the first time in five years, due to a decline in exports and a slowdown in consumer spending. The contraction is seen as a sign of the global economic slowdown. (The Japan Times)

Africa

• South Africa's Economic Crisis: South Africa is facing an economic crisis, with the country's currency, the rand, hitting a record low against the US dollar. The crisis is due to a combination of factors, including corruption, mismanagement, and a decline in the country's mining industry. (The Guardian)
• Ethiopia's Tigray Region: Fighting has broken out in Ethiopia's Tigray region, which is home to the country's largest ethnic group. The fighting has displaced thousands of people and raised concerns about the stability of the region. (Al Jazeera)
• Nigeria's Kidnapped Schoolgirls: Boko Haram militants have kidnapped hundreds of schoolgirls in Nigeria, in an attack that has been widely condemned. The kidnapping is the latest in a series of attacks by the militant group, which has been responsible for thousands of deaths and kidnappings in the region. (The New York Times)

Americas

• US-Iran Tensions: The US and Iran are engaged in a tense standoff, following the US drone strike that killed top Iranian military commander Qasem Soleimani. The situation has raised concerns about the risk of war between the two countries. (The Washington Post)
• Mexico's Cartel Violence: Violence has surged in Mexico, following the capture of a top cartel leader. The violence has left dozens of people dead and has raised concerns about the country's ability to combat organized crime. (The New York Times)
• Brazil's Amazon Fires: The Amazon rainforest is on fire, with thousands of blazes burning across the region. The fires have been blamed on a combination of human activity and climate change, and have raised concerns about the long-term health of the rainforest. (The Guardian)

These are just a few of the recent foreign news stories. If you'd like to know more about a specific story, feel free to ask!