Jump in hate crimes in Britain, say police

LONDON • British police yesterday reported a sharp increase in hate crimes in the weeks before and after the June 23 EU referendum, which was dominated by a divisive debate on immigration.

More than 3,000 incidents were reported to police across Britain between June 16 and June 30, up 42 per cent on the same period last year, according to the National Police Chiefs' Council.

AGENCE FRANCE-PRESSE

Costa Rican diplomat enters race to lead UN

SAN JOSE • Costa Rica has formally put forward one of its top diplomats, Ms Christiana Figueres, as a candidate to take over as United Nations (UN) secretary-general when Mr Ban Ki Moon steps down at the end of the year.

Ms Figueres, 59, has gained an international profile over the past six years as executive secretary of the UN Framework Convention on Climate Change, which was key to the landmark climate agreement in Paris last year.

AGENCE FRANCE-PRESSE

Sharp fall in refugees arriving in Germany

BERLIN • The number of refugees arriving in Germany is falling sharply as a result of the closure of the Balkans migration route and the EU's deal with Turkey, government figures showed yesterday.

In April, May and June, the number was around 16,000 each month, less than a fifth of the tally seen at the start of the year.

AGENCE FRANCE-PRESSE