International

Tuesday, July 31st 2018 - 07:47 UTC
King penguins down to 10% of original population in three years in French island

The planet's largest colony of King penguins has declined by nearly 90% in three decades, alarmed researchers said on Monday. The last time scientists set foot on France's remote Ile aux Cochons — roughly half way between the tip of Africa and Antarctica — the island was blanketed by two million of the flightless birds, which stand about a meter tall.
Tuesday, July 31st 2018 - 07:31 UTC
Trump ready to meet Iran leaders “anytime they want” and “no preconditions”

United States president Donald Trump declared on Monday that he would meet Iran's leaders “anytime they want,” an invitation for face-to-face dialogue with a country he had appeared to threaten with war only days before and an affirmation of Trump's faith in his brand of personal diplomacy.
Tuesday, July 31st 2018 - 07:20 UTC
“Rethink devolution” as a result of Brexit, Westminster and Scotland coincide

The UK government “must rethink devolution” as a result of Brexit, a group of MPs have recommended. The process of leaving the EU has sparked a series of clashes between UK government ministers and their counterparts in Scotland and Wales.
Monday, July 30th 2018 - 14:29 UTC
“Immediate beginning” of trade negotiations with EU, announces Trump's chief economic advisor

President Trump's chief economic adviser Larry Kudlow says that trade negotiations with the European Union are set to begin “immediately” following a meeting between Mr. Trump and European Commission President Jean-Claude Juncker. The two agreed to work toward “zero” tariffs and hold off on additional tariffs at the meeting at the White House on Thursday.
Monday, July 30th 2018 - 12:38 UTC
Thomas Cook will stop selling tickets for Sea World and Loro Parque

Global tour giant Thomas Cook says it will stop selling tickets to “any animal attractions that keep orcas in captivity”. That means marine parks like Sea World in Florida and Loro Parque in Tenerife will be dropped next year.
Monday, July 30th 2018 - 09:44 UTC
Airlines yield to Beijing and eliminate reference to Taiwan as independent

The Chinese Foreign Ministry said that the move by the three biggest US airlines to change how they refer to Taiwan on their booking websites was a “positive development”.
Monday, July 30th 2018 - 07:01 UTC
UK cabinet on parliamentary recess: Brexiteers choose holidays in UK and US, while Remainers prefer EU countries

British Prime Minister Theresa May has begun a week-long walking holiday in Italy. The Conservative leader is fresh from her key Brexit proposal being rejected by the EU on Thursday.
Monday, July 30th 2018 - 06:53 UTC
Campaign to discredit process leading to Qatar organizing 2022 World Cup

The world's football governing body FIFA has been urged to conduct an “independent investigation” into claims the Qatar 2022 World Cup bid team ran a secret campaign in 2010 to sabotage competing host bids.
Monday, July 30th 2018 - 06:27 UTC
UK Commons blasts tech giants for fake news: they act irresponsibly and must be regulated and accountable

Fake news has plunged democracy into crisis with voters being systematically manipulated by campaigns of hate and disinformation, a Commons committee has warned. In a blistering attack, MPs rounded on tech giants such as Facebook, Twitter and Google, for acting “irresponsibly” over data collection and called for new laws to make them accountable for the content on their sites.
Monday, July 30th 2018 - 06:16 UTC
Support for second Brexit referendum increases; PM May's approval ratings plunge

The proportion of voters who favor a referendum on the final terms of any Brexit deal has overtaken those who do not for the first time, while UK Prime Minister Theresa May’s approval ratings have plunged, according to opinion polls.