International

Friday, April 5th 2019 - 17:45 UTC
US Treasury official David Malpass elected as World Bank’s president

David Malpass has been chosen as the president of the World Bank Group (WBG) on Friday after being unanimously elected by the executive board of the organization with no other candidates.
Friday, April 5th 2019 - 17:39 UTC
Spanish, Chinese and Korean songs climbing up the charts, says the phonographic industry

For decades, they have dominated the top ten. But the era of musicians having to sing in English to achieve worldwide success may be drawing to a close, as artists from Asia and South America creep up the charts.
Friday, April 5th 2019 - 11:33 UTC
European Council approves that “Gibraltar is a colony of the British Crown”

The European Council has been branded “irresponsible” over its inflexible position on draft legislation approved by the European Parliament on Thursday in which Gibraltar, at Spain’s insistence, was described as “a colony”.
Friday, April 5th 2019 - 09:25 UTC
Theresa May requests Brexit extension until June 30

Theresa May has written to European Council president Donald Tusk requesting an extension to Article 50 until June 30. The Prime Minister said she will seek to ratify her Withdrawal Agreement before the European Parliament elections on May 23, but will make “responsible preparations” to take part if that does not prove possible.
Friday, April 5th 2019 - 09:04 UTC
EC proposal for a 12-month “flexible” extension to the Brexit date

European Council President Donald Tusk is proposing to offer the UK a 12-month “flexible” extension to its Brexit date, according to a senior EU source. His plan would allow the UK to leave sooner if Parliament ratifies a deal, but it would need to be agreed by EU leaders at a summit next week.
Friday, April 5th 2019 - 08:58 UTC
Pressure on Russia to release juvenile whales in small pens; apparently to be sold to Chinese marine parks

International pressure is growing for the Russian government to release nearly 100 juvenile whales which have been kept in small pens in the far east for seven months. French marine scientist Jean-Michel Cousteau and other experts are meeting government officials in Moscow. They plan to visit the so-called “whale jail” near Nakhodka on Saturday.
Friday, April 5th 2019 - 08:46 UTC
Boeing admits the anti-stall system was a factor in the crash of Ethiopian Flight

The Ethiopian Airlines plane that crashed last month nosedived several times before it hit the ground, a preliminary report has said. Pilots “repeatedly” followed procedures recommended by Boeing before the crash, according to the first official report.
Friday, April 5th 2019 - 08:43 UTC
Merkel in Dublin declares Germany is “a strong and unwavering ally of Ireland”

German Chancellor Angela Merkel has said Germany will stand with Ireland “every step of the way” over Brexit. She was speaking following talks in Dublin with the Taoiseach (Irish prime minister) about the current deadlock.
Thursday, April 4th 2019 - 10:05 UTC
Kremlin officials can't understand why official stats show Russians are so poor

The Kremlin press secretary has said he cannot understand a survey that shows that Russians struggle to afford new shoes. Dmitry Peskov was commenting on a report by state statistics agency Rosstat.
Thursday, April 4th 2019 - 09:52 UTC
UK Police has 10.000 officers ready for a possible no-deal Brexit and “inflamed consequences”

Politicians and campaigners should take care not to “inflame” tensions in the UK caused by Brexit, a senior police chief has warned. Assistant Commissioner Martin Hewitt said people should think carefully to avoid inciting others to violence. The warning follows increased concern about intimidation of MPs.