Merkel and Seehofer reach migration compromise
The German chancellor Angela Merkel has reached a migration deal with the leader of her sister party that avoids a cabinet crisis, reported the BBC, DW and Politico. Germany will set up “transit centres” to return refugees who’ve moved within the EU back to the first EU country they entered. Horst Seehofer, the interior minister, had wanted to turn asylum seekers away at Germany’s border with Austria and then threatened to resign over the issue. The deal still needs to be signed off by the Social Democrats, who are part of coalition government with Merkel’s CDU and Seehofer’s CSU.
Missing Thai boys found but not rescued
Twelve boys and their football coach, who had been missing in flooded caves in Thailand for nine days, have been found alive and well, reported the Guardian. However, it could take months to get them out, said the BBC.
PwC held partially liable for US bank collapse
The auditing firm PwC has been ordered to pay $625m to the Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation, a US financial regulator, for failing to unearth fraud at Colonial Bank, according to the Financial Times and Reuters. The bank collapsed in 2009 after bank executives wrote millions in fictitious or suspect mortgages, costing the FDIC $2.8bn in reimbursed bank deposits. The FT wrote that it was “the largest damages award ever made against an accounting firm.” PwC said it disagreed with the court’s ruling and plans to appeal.
Work-life balance
South Korea is reducing its maximum workweek from 68 to 52 hours, reported the Financial Times.
“Bullshit Jobs”
David Graeber, an anthropology professor at the London School of Economics and anarchist, talked about his new book, “Bullshit Jobs”, with Jacobin magazine. Graeber started the interview by saying: “A bullshit job is a job which is so pointless, or even pernicious, that even the person doing the job secretly believes that it shouldn’t exist.”
Post-Brexit pledge to EU uni students
Britain’s education secretary said that EU students at universities in England will continue paying the same tuition fees as UK students after Brexit, reported the Independent and Times Higher Education. The prize freeze will apply to those enrolled for the 2019-2020 academic year.
Luxembourg’s National Day in India
The grand duchy’s embassy in New Delhi hosted a National Day celebration last week. Here’s how the Times of India covered it.
Dramatic World Cup victory for the Red Devils
Belgium came from behind to beat Japan 3-2 at the World Cup, reported ESPN and the Telegraph. Belgium will face Brazil in a quarter final match on Friday.
Southern California Interfaithless Beach Party
Vice profiled a social group for former members of “higher-demand religions”, including “Scientologists, Mormons, Jehovah's Witnesses, Orthodox Jews, devout Muslims, and evangelical Christians.” It turns out that they have a lot in common.