Breaking - ArchivesPosts of 23/05/2017

South Korea’s former president, Park Geun-hye, has denied corruption charges at the start of a criminal trial that could send the country’s first female leader to prison for life.

Prosecutors accuse Park of abusing her power and colluding with her longtime friend, Choi Soon-sil, to pressure major South Korean companies such as Samsung into paying tens of millions of dollars in bribes in return for business favours. Read more HERE.

The European Union has agreed its Brexit negotiating stance, clearing the way for talks to begin with the British government in mid-June. Michel Barnier, the EU’s Brexit negotiator, said he hoped to begin the first round of talks in the week of 19 June, while playing down suggestions negotiations could collapse.

“From the day the UK decided to leave, the EU has gone through an intense preparatory process,” Barnier said. “We are ready and well-prepared.” Read more HERE.