Stories for April 26th 2018

Thursday, April 26th 2018 - 09:23 UTC
EU offers closer post-Brexit relation if UK remains in the customs union

The European Union could offer Britain a closer relationship after Brexit if Prime Minister Theresa May decides to stay in the bloc’s customs union, diplomats said. EU hopes London could change its stance on what ties it wants after Brexit after Britain’s upper house of parliament challenged the government on a key bill relating to May’s plan to quit the customs union.
Thursday, April 26th 2018 - 09:18 UTC
EU insists in good sanitary standards for Mercosur produce, if a deal is to be reached

European Agriculture Commissioner Phil Hogan insisted there would be “no deal” with Mercosur unless negotiators are fully satisfied strong standards will apply to all produce. It comes as another round of the negotiations on Mercosur got under way in Brussels this week.
Thursday, April 26th 2018 - 09:13 UTC
PM May on the brink: North Ireland allies warning on an EU customs union

The Democratic Unionist Party has warned UK Prime Minister Theresa May it will bring down her government if Northern Ireland is forced to stay inside the EU customs union and single market after Brexit. The renewed threat comes ahead of a vote by British MPs, pushed for by pro-EU parliamentarians, seeking to keep UK customs union membership.
Thursday, April 26th 2018 - 09:09 UTC
UK may have to start new satellite system post-Brexit

The UK might have to set up its own satellite navigation system if it is thrown out of the Galileo project after Brexit, according to British officials. Galileo is a €10 billion program that was launched by the EU to rival the US global positioning system.
Thursday, April 26th 2018 - 09:04 UTC
UK could consider an extension of Brexit talks if Parliament rejects withdrawal deal

Brexit Secretary David Davis has suggested the UK government could consider asking for Brexit negotiations to be extended if Parliament votes down the withdrawal deal later this year. Speaking to the Exiting the EU Committee on Wednesday, Davis conceded that it would not be impossible to prolong Article 50 negotiations, having previously said that the deal would “fall” if MPs vote it down.
Thursday, April 26th 2018 - 08:59 UTC
Argentina receives 32 bids for six road projects totaling US$ 8 billion

Argentina announced it received 32 bids for six road projects requiring around US$ 8 billion in investment, in a big test of how public-private partnerships (PPPs) can help cash-starved Latin American governments beef up infrastructure.
Thursday, April 26th 2018 - 08:53 UTC
Macron enchants US Congress while questioning some of Trump's policies

French President Emmanuel Macron has used his speech to the joint houses of the US Congress to denounce nationalism and isolationism as threats to global prosperity. The speech was widely interpreted as a thinly veiled attack on President Donald Trump's America First agenda.
Thursday, April 26th 2018 - 08:46 UTC
Trade skirmish: China halts purchases of US soybeans, gives priority to Brazil

China’s purchases of U.S. soybeans have come to a grinding halt, trade and industry sources say, as fears of further action by Beijing to curb imports of U.S. crops following last week’s anti-dumping move on sorghum rattles the agriculture industry.
Thursday, April 26th 2018 - 08:41 UTC
Major companies launch “UK Plastics Pact” to eliminate plastic packaging by 2025

Dozens of companies have signed up to efforts to eliminate unnecessary single-use plastic packaging by 2025, it has been announced. Under the “UK Plastics Pact”, the businesses have also agreed targets to make 100% of their plastic packaging reusable, recyclable or compostable and to ensure 70% is effectively recycled or composted.
Thursday, April 26th 2018 - 08:37 UTC
Outbreaks of FMD in swine farms in China and Korea

The Swine Health Information Center (SHIC) posted a new global swine disease monitoring report on earlier this month, with information on Foot-and-Mouth Disease (FMD) activity in China and Korea presenting the highest concern.