International

Thursday, October 18th 2018 - 18:08 UTC
German chancellor wants to stay close to UK post Brexit

Angela Merkel said on Wednesday in a statement at the European Union's summit in Brussels that she wants Britain to remain a close and trustworthy partner after splitting from the bloc.
Thursday, October 18th 2018 - 17:44 UTC
Brazil, China sugar trade scuffle brought before WTO

Brazil has taken the case to the World Trade Organisation as Chinese authorities unilaterally decided to cut down their demand of sugar in a move to protect domestic production.
Thursday, October 18th 2018 - 09:04 UTC
US receives US$ 100m payment from Saudi Arabia, when Pompeo was in Riyadh

The United States received a payment of US$ 100 million from Saudi Arabia on Tuesday, the same day Secretary of State Mike Pompeo arrived in Riyadh to discuss the disappearance of journalist Jamal Khashoggi, a State Department official confirmed Wednesday amid global calls for answers in the case.
Thursday, October 18th 2018 - 08:53 UTC
Foreign Office Brexit spokesperson, next UK ambassador in Spain

The British Government has appointed Hugh Elliott as its new Ambassador to Spain in succession of Simon Manley. According to a statement issued by the Foreign and Commonwealth Office Mr Elliott will take up the role during the summer of 2019.
Thursday, October 18th 2018 - 08:46 UTC
Global health organizations commit to new ways of working together for greater impact

Eleven heads of the world’s leading health and development organizations signed in Berlin a landmark commitment to find new ways of working together to accelerate progress towards achieving the United Nations’ Sustainable Development Goals.
Coordinated by the World Health Organization, the initiative unites the work of 11 organizations, with others set to join in the next phase.
Thursday, October 18th 2018 - 08:42 UTC
US determined to a trade deal with the UK, “as soon as it is ready” after Brexit

The United States administration has formally confirmed it intends to pursue a trade deal with the UK “as soon as it is ready” after leaving the EU. Donald Trump’s trade representative Robert Lighthizer notified Congress of plans to open negotiations with the UK, as well as with the EU and Japan.
Thursday, October 18th 2018 - 08:31 UTC
Beware of Chinese manufactured vaccines: this time human rabies

A Chinese vaccination firm has been fined US$ 1.3bn after it was found to have illegally produced the human rabies vaccine. Changchun Changsheng had blended different batches of vaccine fluid and used expired fluid to produce some of the batches, according to state news agency Xinhua.
Thursday, October 18th 2018 - 08:30 UTC
Tasmania “fairy” penguins mauled to death by dogs

Australian Wildlife officials are investigating a suspected dog attack in Tasmania, after 58 penguins were found mauled to death. A member of the public alerted rangers to the dozens of penguin bodies strewn across a beach on the north coast of Australia's island state.
Thursday, October 18th 2018 - 08:24 UTC
Despite grumblings, US refrains from labeling China a “currency manipulator”

United States has refrained from labeling China a “currency manipulator” in a move which may help defuse escalating tension over trade between the two countries. President Trump has previously accused China of keeping its currency weak to make its exports more competitive.
Thursday, October 18th 2018 - 08:13 UTC
Left hand fingers' test and a propensity to be lesbian

Women whose left index and ring fingers are different lengths are more likely to be lesbians, a study suggests. Scientists measured the fingers of 18 pairs of female identical twins, where one was straight and the other gay.