International

Saturday, March 30th 2019 - 08:04 UTC
EU bans use of plastic cutlery and cottons buds by 2021

Single-use plastic items such as straws, forks and knives as well as cotton buds will be banned in the European Union by 2021 following a vote by EU lawmakers last Wednesday as the bloc pushes manufacturers to step up their recycling efforts.
Saturday, March 30th 2019 - 07:45 UTC
The Independent Group applies to become political party and field candidates for EU parliament election

The Independent Group (TIG) of MPs has applied to become a political party to take part in European elections in May if they go ahead. The group intends to call itself Change UK, and has named Heidi Allen as its interim leader.
Saturday, March 30th 2019 - 07:42 UTC
Extremism and “mental pollution” are a global problem and education must play its role, argues ex PM Blair

Extremism should be treated as a global problem like climate change, says Tony Blair, speaking about the role of education in the wake of the Christchurch mosque shootings. The former UK prime minister said there should be an international agreement to put teaching against extremism into education systems around the world.
Saturday, March 30th 2019 - 07:27 UTC
UK's The Grand Tour motoring program call Argentina “God's cesspit”

The Grand Tour’s Richard Hammond has reignited the trio’s feud with Argentina by calling the country ‘God’s cesspit’. Jeremy Clarkson famously managed to rile millions of Argentines back in 2014 when he drove through Patagonia for an episode of Top Gear with a license plate number which read H982 FKL, sparking complaints the vehicle was referring to the Falklands War.
Saturday, March 30th 2019 - 07:14 UTC
Shame on NASA: Lack of proper sized spacesuit impedes the first all female spacewalk

What should have been a giant leap for womankind has turned into a stumble on the path to equality after U.S. space agency NASA canceled the first all-female spacewalk due to a lack of a spacesuit in the right size. Anne McClain and Christina Koch had been due to step into history books in a spacewalk Friday, during the final week of Women's History Month.
Saturday, March 30th 2019 - 07:09 UTC
Argentina lawmakers want closer oversight of Chinese space tracking station in Patagonia

Argentine lawmakers have proposed legislation to boost oversight of a Chinese space tracking station that has stirred unease among local residents, fueled conspiracy theories and sparked concerns amongst critics about its true intent.
Saturday, March 30th 2019 - 06:47 UTC
Brexit: what are the options next Monday; EU ready for a UK “no deal crash out”

With British lawmakers rejecting Prime Minister Theresa May's Brexit deal for a third on Friday what could happen next? Britain is left with three general directions: back a deal, end up leaving with no deal or negotiate a long delay to work out a new strategy.
Friday, March 29th 2019 - 18:18 UTC
Thousands of Leave supporters packed central London and gathered outside Parliament

Thousands of Leave supporters gathered outside Parliament to protest against the delay to Brexit, on the day the UK had been due to leave the EU. Traffic was brought to a standstill, amid chants of “Brexit now”. The March to Leave, which started in Sunderland a fortnight ago, has also arrived in Westminster.
Friday, March 29th 2019 - 18:02 UTC
Chaotic rejection of May's Brexit deal; EU leaders meet on April 10

Members of Parliament have rejected Theresa May’s EU withdrawal agreement on the day the UK was due to leave the EU. The government lost by 344 votes to 286, a margin of 58. It means the UK has missed an EU deadline to delay Brexit to 22 May and leave with a deal.
Friday, March 29th 2019 - 09:18 UTC
New round of trade talks in Beijing. China offers greater access to its financial market

United States Treasury Secretary Steven Mnuchin said on Friday he had a “productive working dinner” the previous night in Beijing, kicking off a day of talks aimed at resolving the bitter trade dispute between the world's two largest economies.