Stories for August 16th 2017

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.
Wednesday, August 16th 2017 - 09:39 UTC
Air carrier HMS Queen Elizabeth arrives at her home port of Portsmouth

HMS Queen Elizabeth, Britain's newest Aircraft carrier arrived at its home port of Portsmouth this Wednesday morning for the first time. The 280 meters long carrier is currently undergoing sea trials since it left Rosyth dockyard in Scotland in June.
Wednesday, August 16th 2017 - 09:22 UTC
UK rejects any border posts between Ireland and Ulster, according to Brexit paper

The United Kingdom government has said it does not want any border posts between Northern Ireland and the Republic of Ireland in its new position paper on Brexit. The paper is part of its negotiations with the European Union and the broad ideas in the document appear familiar.
Wednesday, August 16th 2017 - 09:10 UTC
FARC hands over weapons, prepares for the political phase of peace accord

U.N. observers on Tuesday removed the last of more than 8,000 guns once carried by the guerrillas of Colombia’s largest rebel army and collected at 26 demobilization sites around the South American nation under a historic peace deal. The next phase of the peace deal is for the ex guerrillas to organize politically and run for seats in congressional elections.
Wednesday, August 16th 2017 - 08:12 UTC
Major Chinese vessel caught poaching sharks in Galapagos Islands Marine Protected Area

Authorities in Ecuador have detained the crew of a Chinese fishing boat suspected to have caught hundreds of endangered sharks in the Galapagos Islands. The Fu Yuan Yu Leng 999 was found Sunday in the archipelago, which is a marine reserve, carrying 300 tons of fish.
Wednesday, August 16th 2017 - 08:02 UTC
The iconic Big Ben will undergo conservation and remain silent until 2021

Since it first rang out in 1859, Big Ben has become one of London’s most iconic landmarks, faithfully marking every hour and quarter hour with resounding bongs and tinkling chimes. But a four-year conservation project will soon cause the historic clock tower to fall silent, as Tara John reports for Time.