Stories for September 21st 2017

Thursday, September 21st 2017 - 16:05 UTC
European Parliament Brexit negotiator visits Ireland to address border issue

The European Parliament's Brexit negotiator, Guy Verhofstadt, has said it is up to the UK to find a way to avoid new controls on the Irish border, which echoes the position already laid out by the EU's chief negotiator, Michel Barnier. Mr. Verhofstadt is in Northern Ireland to meet political leaders at Stormont ahead of a visit to the Irish border.
Thursday, September 21st 2017 - 15:31 UTC
Civil disobedience escalates in Catalonia as Madrid stamps on independence referendum logistics

Spain’s prime minister called on Wednesday on Catalan separatist leaders to end their “escalation” as several thousand people took to the streets of Barcelona to protest at Madrid’s attempts to stop a banned referendum on independence.
Thursday, September 21st 2017 - 08:44 UTC
Merkel heading for a fourth term running, but an extreme-right party is poised to enter parliament

German Chancellor Angela Merkel looks almost certain to clinch a fourth term in the general election next Sunday while a far-right party is poised to enter parliament for the first time since the end of World War II.
Thursday, September 21st 2017 - 08:26 UTC
UK Foreign Secretary warm wishes to the Jewish community on Rosh Hashanah

The British Foreign Secretary Boris Johnson has sent warm wishes to the Jewish community as they prepare to celebrate Rosh Hashanah, the Jewish New Year. Johnson said that every New Year is a time for reflection.
Thursday, September 21st 2017 - 08:09 UTC
Why would I like to meet my neighbors in the Falkland Islands?

The Government of the Falkland Islands and the British Embassies in Uruguay, Brazil and Chile invite university students to participate in a regional competition to visit the Falkland Islands.
Thursday, September 21st 2017 - 07:57 UTC
Secretary of State for Scotland on a three/day visit to Argentina

The Secretary of State for Scotland, David Mundell, will start an official visit to Argentina during which he will hold meetings with national authorities, private sector representatives, and members of the civil society. The purpose of his trip to South America, which started on Tuesday with a visit to Paraguay, is to promote Scottish business interests and build cultural and educational links.
Thursday, September 21st 2017 - 07:24 UTC
Hurricane Maria's 250km strong winds knock out Puerto Rico, St Croix, and Guadeloupe

Hurricane Maria has knocked out power to the entire island of Puerto Rico, home to 3.5m people, emergency officials have said. Abner Gomez, head of the disaster management agency, said none of the customers of Puerto Rico's Electric Power Authority had any electricity.
Thursday, September 21st 2017 - 06:59 UTC
UK urges UN to be efficient and transparent, “win our trust”... and funding

Theresa May has warned the United Nations that Britain could withhold up to 30% of its £90m core funding each year unless the organization reforms. The PM told delegates at the UN general assembly there was a gap between “the nobility of its purposes and the effectiveness of its delivery”.
Thursday, September 21st 2017 - 06:36 UTC
Argentina claims at UN its Falklands/Malvinas “legitimate and imprescriptible” sovereignty rights

Argentine vice-president Gabriela Michetti ratified before the United Nations General Assembly her country's “legitimate and imprescriptible” sovereignty rights over the disputed Falkland/Malvinas Islands and made a new call on the United Kingdom to resume “bilateral negotiations”