Stories for December 14th 2017

Thursday, December 14th 2017 - 17:39 UTC
EU warns UK there is no “backtracking” on the divorce deal reached by PM May in Brussels

Britain and the EU face a “furious race against time” to agree a transition deal and future trade relations within the next 10 months, European Council president Donald Tusk has said. In a letter to the leaders of the 27 remaining EU states ahead of a crucial summit on December 14-15, Mr Tusk urged them to show continued “unity” as Brexit negotiations enter their second phase.
Thursday, December 14th 2017 - 13:54 UTC
Federal Reserve increases interest rate by a quarter of a point

The US Federal Reserve has increased interest rates by a quarter of a percentage point - the third rate hike this year. It comes as Fed chair Janet Yellen prepares to leave the role
after Donald Trump decided to replace her.
Thursday, December 14th 2017 - 11:45 UTC
UK government defeated in Brexit key vote; ministers call it a “minor setback”

The British government has been narrowly defeated in a key vote on its Brexit bill after a rebellion by 11 Tory MPs. In a blow to Prime Minister Theresa May, MPs voted to give Parliament a legal guarantee of a vote on the final Brexit deal struck with Brussels.
Thursday, December 14th 2017 - 10:58 UTC
Up to 650 000 people die of respiratory diseases linked to seasonal flu each year

Up to 650 000 deaths annually are associated with respiratory diseases from seasonal influenza, according to new estimates by the United States Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (US-CDC), the World Health Organization and global health partners.
Thursday, December 14th 2017 - 07:16 UTC
ARA San Juan: Russia's Yantar expected to return to surveying next week

The Russian Navy’s ocean survey vessel Yantar had to leave the search area for Argentina’s San Juan submarine, but is expected to return on December 19, Argentine Navy spokesman Enrique Balbi said on Wednesday.
Thursday, December 14th 2017 - 06:59 UTC
MP Rosindell calls for BOTs to be represented in Westminster

The British Conservative MP for Romford, Andrew Rosindell, who sits on the Foreign Affairs Committee and is a long-time advocate for the interests of British Overseas Territories, has repeated his call for better and equitable representation for those territories.
Thursday, December 14th 2017 - 06:25 UTC
Gibraltar recalls 35th anniversary of the opening of the frontier

Gibraltar will recall on December 15th the 35th Anniversary of the Opening of the Frontier. The decision to end the thirteen year blockade of Gibraltar to strangle its economy taken by the Spanish Dictator General Franco in 1969, was put into effect by the PSOE.
Thursday, December 14th 2017 - 06:05 UTC
Falklands, next call for Indian Navy sailboat with an all-women crew

The Indian Navy sailboat INSV Tarini left New Zealand on Tuesday for the next leg of its journey towards Falkland Islands, after completing the second leg of its circumnavigation voyage, an official statement said. Tarini, with its all-women team of Indian Naval officers, had arrived in New Zealand on November 29.
Thursday, December 14th 2017 - 05:53 UTC
Mercosur/EU accord will have to wait until 2018; Europe needs more time to assess latest proposal

Negotiations for a trade deal between the European Union and Mercosur will extend into next year, officials from both sides said on Wednesday, after the Europeans asked for more time to analyze proposed changes.
Thursday, December 14th 2017 - 05:43 UTC
Islam nations call for the recognition of the State of Palestine and East Jerusalem as its occupied capital

The leaders of 57 Muslim nations have called on the world to recognize “the State of Palestine and East Jerusalem as its occupied capital”. An Organization of Islamic Co-operation communiqué declares US President Donald Trump's decision to recognize the city as Israel's capital as “null and void”. It also says the move has signaled Washington's withdrawal from its role in the Middle East peace process.