Stories for February 1st 2020

Saturday, February 1st 2020 - 08:31 UTC
Scotland votes for independence referendum; EU flag will remain flying outside Holyrood

Scotland’s Parliament voted this week ahead of Friday, to hold a new referendum on Scottish independence, a move intended to increase political pressure on the British government as the UK leaves the European Union.
Saturday, February 1st 2020 - 08:30 UTC
“We must stand up for Europe, otherwise at some point we won’t have it any more”

Britain’s departure from the European Union shows the bloc must deliver for its citizens and its leaders must stand up for the project or else risk it failing, the head of the European Union’s executive, Ursula von der Leyen, said on Friday.
Saturday, February 1st 2020 - 08:27 UTC
Boris Johnson confident that “we can turn this opportunity into a stunning success”

Prime Minister Boris Johnson said Brexit offers Britain an opportunity for “renewal and change” as he called on the divided nation to pull together in an address ahead of its split with the European Union.
Saturday, February 1st 2020 - 08:23 UTC
Brexit is a “historic warning sign”, the reaction from Paris on EU reforms

Brexit is a “historic warning sign” for the European Union, French President Emmanuel Macron said hours before Britain's departure from the EU, adding that it meant “we need more Europe”.
Saturday, February 1st 2020 - 08:20 UTC
Trump's acquittal of the impeachment trial any moment with solid Republican Senators' support

The US Senate on Friday voted against calling witnesses and collecting new evidence in President Donald Trump's impeachment trial, clearing the way for Trump's likely acquittal in the coming days.
Saturday, February 1st 2020 - 08:15 UTC
Coronavirus restrictions announced for the cruise industry

On advice from the Cruise Lines International Association and health officials, Carnival Cruise Line has announced new restrictions due to the Coronavirus outbreak. This also comes after the World Health Organization (WHO) declared a global health emergency as the virus continues to spread not just in China but around the world and the numbers keep on going up.
Saturday, February 1st 2020 - 08:01 UTC
Colombian peace accord rapidly failing as ex guerrillas are murdered

More than 100 Colombian former left-wing guerrillas and their family members have left an area designated for them following the murder of 12 fellow ex-rebels elsewhere in the country, the FARC said on Friday.
Saturday, February 1st 2020 - 07:53 UTC
Trump lifts restrictions on deployment of landmines, the “non persistent” models

President Donald Trump on Friday lifted US restrictions on the deployment of landmines, saying a new generation of high-tech explosives would improve security for US forces. In the latest reversal of a policy of his predecessor Barack Obama, Trump gave the green light to so-called “non-persistent” landmines that can be switched off remotely rather than staying in the ground forever.