International

Monday, February 19th 2018 - 09:09 UTC
Italian election with no clear winner: Berlusconi's coalition ahead with 37.2% support

The coalition, which includes former prime minister’s Forza Italia (Go Italy) Silvio Berlusconi and two far-right parties, is being seen within the context of Europe’s lurch away from conventional parties ahead of the March 4 vote.
Monday, February 19th 2018 - 08:59 UTC
US scientists discover new family of antibiotics that combat drug resistant diseases

US scientists have discovered a new family of antibiotics in soil samples. The natural compounds could be used to combat hard-to-treat infections, the team at Rockefeller University hopes.
Monday, February 19th 2018 - 08:53 UTC
Peru and Australia sign trade deal, which opens market for Aussie farm produce

Australia and Peru have signed a new trade deal that is expected to lead to more local products - including beef, sugar, almonds and dairy - being sold in nation which is a full member of the Pacific Alliance.
Monday, February 19th 2018 - 08:13 UTC
Mexico presidential race down to three names: Lopez Obrador, Anaya and Meade

The campaign for Mexico's Jul 1 presidential election began in earnest on Sunday (Feb 18) as the country's top parties officially nominated their candidates, with all three front-runners trying to sell a message of change.
Saturday, February 17th 2018 - 19:49 UTC
Chinese New Year marks start of the Year of the Dog (honest, just and loyal)

February 16 is Chinese New Year and marks the start of the Year of the Dog - one of the 12 signs of the Chinese zodiac. Unlike Western astrology, each sign lasts for a whole year and each year takes the name of an animal whose characteristics color and influence everything that happens for the next 12 months.
Saturday, February 17th 2018 - 09:29 UTC
Canada will begin free trade talks with Mercosur in Paraguay on 9 March

The Canadian government plans to open free trade talks with the four-nation Mercosur trading bloc in South America at a time when the future of NAFTA is facing increasing uncertainty. Canada sends around 75% of its goods exports to the United States and is looking for new markets to reduce the reliance on its southern neighbor.
Saturday, February 17th 2018 - 09:22 UTC
Merkel “curious” about UK lack of clarity with Brexit; PM May speech in Munich

Angela Merkel has said that she is not “frustrated” by Britain's lack of clarity in Brexit, but is still “curious” about what the UK government actually wants to achieve in negotiations.
Friday, February 16th 2018 - 10:36 UTC
Berlusconi and conservative block ahead in Italy opinion polls for March 4

Italy's election race includes a dark horse. Opinion polls suggest a national vote on March 4 will produce either a conservative government or a broad coalition that will not threaten the status quo. But new electoral rules make predictions harder than usual. A post-election alliance of anti-EU parties is improbable - but not impossible.
Friday, February 16th 2018 - 10:26 UTC
US rejects merger between Chicago Stock Exchange and Chinese investor group

The US has rejected a proposed merger between the Chicago Stock Exchange and a Chinese-linked investor group. The decision comes after more than two years of reviews by officials. The tie-up was initially approved by the Committee on Foreign Investment in the United States, pending further approval by the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC).
Friday, February 16th 2018 - 10:07 UTC
Theresa May flies to Berlin to meet Merkel, ahead of crucial speech on Saturday

Theresa May is due to hold talks with German Chancellor Angela Merkel as she seeks to make progress on negotiating Brexit. The PM will travel on Friday to Berlin for the meeting at the Chancellery. It comes a day ahead of a speech on Saturday in which she is expected to set out the “security partnership” she wants to maintain with the EU.