International

• Thursday, August 17th 2017 - 21:45 UTC

  Thirteen killed and tens injured in terrorist attack with a van in Barcelona

  

  A van mowed through crowds of tourists on Barcelona's most famous avenue on Thursday, killing at least thirteen people in an attack that was claimed by Islamic State. The head of the Spanish region of Catalonia, Carles Puigdemont, said at least 80 people had been taken to hospital and 13 had been reported killed.

• Thursday, August 17th 2017 - 12:05 UTC

  Scotland and Wales coordinate opposition to Brexit “green” legislation

  

  Scottish and Welsh environment ministers are to meet to co-ordinate opposition to Brexit legislation. The two administrations fear the Westminster government is planning to take over powers which are currently devolved, but exercised in Brussels.

• Thursday, August 17th 2017 - 10:00 UTC

  Argentine Senate head calls on UK for Falklands/Malvinas discussions

  

  Argentine Senate president Federico Pinedo called on the British government ”to sit down and discuss all issues (of the bilateral agenda) including the Malvinas dispute”, and should also make a greater effort in improving its relations with Latin America, according to a statement from DYN news agency.

• Thursday, August 17th 2017 - 07:34 UTC

  Theresa May writes for The Irish Times: Brexit, the border and Irish citizenship

  

  Over the past 12 months, I've said many times that while the UK is leaving the EU, we are not leaving Europe. No one voted to end the special ties between the UK and Ireland or to undermine the unique arrangements between Ireland and Northern Ireland which have underpinned the peace process and have been in place well before our membership of the EU.

• Thursday, August 17th 2017 - 07:01 UTC

  UK political system criticize Trump for not clearly condemning racism and fascist views

  

  United Kingdom Prime Minister Theresa May has said it is important to condemn far-right views “wherever we hear them” as she was asked about Donald Trump's response to clashes in the United States. The PM said: “I see no equivalence between those who propound fascist views and those who oppose them.”

• Wednesday, August 16th 2017 - 19:14 UTC

  Queen's Baton Relay of Commonwealth Games arrived in the Falkland Islands

  

  The Queen's Baton Relay of the Commonwealth Games has arrived in the Falkland Islands. The baton carries a message from Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth, the Head of the Commonwealth, and is travelling around the world prior to the beginning of the Commonwealth Games in April 2018. This tradition began in 1958. The baton visit was organised by the Falkland Islands Overseas Games Association (FIOGA)

• Wednesday, August 16th 2017 - 16:07 UTC

  Cunard celebrates Queen Elizabeth 50th anniversary with Mediterranean cruise

  

  Luxury cruise brand Cunard, is honoring the 50th anniversary of its longest serving ocean liner, QE2, with a special voyage onboard the luxury cruise liner Queen Elizabeth. The 50th anniversary of this much-loved ship will be remembered as Queen Elizabeth sets sail from Southampton on Friday 8 September for a 17-night voyage. Departing guests will enjoy Venice's iconic canals, mythical Mount Etna in Sicily and Corfu's leafy beauty.

• Wednesday, August 16th 2017 - 15:51 UTC

  Bill and Melinda Gates donate US$ 4.6bn to charity; since 1994 they have given US$ 35bn

  

  Bill Gates has given away US$4.6bn to charity in his largest donation since 2000. He remains the world's richest person, despite giving away 64 million shares in Microsoft. The shares are equivalent to 5% of his total fortune, currently estimated to be US$ 89.9bn.

• Wednesday, August 16th 2017 - 13:45 UTC

  Calls for a Brexit minister in Welsh cabinet: “the biggest constitutional challenge of our time”

  

  A Brexit minister should be appointed to put Wales' interests “at the centre” of negotiations, Welsh Conservative leader Andrew RT Davies has said. Mr Davies said the first minister could not handle the “biggest constitutional challenge of our time” alone and insisted the Welsh government should be reconfigured to give “strong and constructive representation” to UK ministers on EU negotiations.

• Wednesday, August 16th 2017 - 10:29 UTC

  UK post-Brexit customs plan “is almost laughable” says Scottish First Minister Sturgeon

  

  First Minister of Scotland Nicola Sturgeon has dismissed the UK government's plans for a post-Brexit customs deal with the EU as a “daft 'have cake and eat it' approach”. UK ministers have set out plans for an “ambitious new customs arrangement” with the EU after the UK leaves.