International

• Wednesday, March 7th 2018 - 09:16 UTC

  NASA satellites help discover super-colony of Adelie penguins in Antarctica Danger Islands

  

  A thriving “hotspot” of 1.5 million Adelie penguins, a species fast declining in parts of the world, has been discovered on remote islands off the Antarctic Peninsula, surprised scientists. The first bird census of the Danger Islands unearthed over 750,000 Adelie breeding pairs, more than the rest of the area combined, the team reported in the journal Scientific Reports.

• Wednesday, March 7th 2018 - 07:32 UTC

  UK threatens Russia with robust response if ex spy and daughter have been poisoned

  

  Britain has threatened a “robust” response if it is proven that Russia is behind the apparent attempted killing of a former double agent. Sergei Skripal and his daughter were found collapsed in their home town in southern England on Sunday, showing symptoms of poisoning.

• Tuesday, March 6th 2018 - 10:00 UTC

  Trump speaks openly of a “trade war”; links tariffs on steel and aluminum to a redrafted Nafta

  

  U.S. President Donald Trump said on Monday the U.S. is not backing down on its decision to impose 25% tariffs on steel imports and 10% tariffs on imported aluminum products. Before a White House meeting with Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, Trump suggested Mexico and Canada could be exempted from the planned tariffs if a new and “fair” North American Free Trade Agreement (NAFTA) is reached.

• Tuesday, March 6th 2018 - 09:54 UTC

  Forget Berlusconi: Italy has become a major setback for the European Union

  

  Italy's general election on Sunday has so far resulted in a hung parliament, with the country's Euro skeptic Five Star Movement emerging as the single party with the most votes. The centre-right coalition headed by former Prime Minister Silvio Berlusconi is expected to gain between 248 and 268 seats and a 37% vote share, which is still short of a majority. Some 316 seats are needed to form a government.

• Tuesday, March 6th 2018 - 09:46 UTC

  China increases its military budget 8.1% to US$ 175bn; regional powers “nervous”

  

  China revealed on Monday that it will raise its military budget by US$ 175 billion for the 2018 fiscal year, 8.1% increase that is the largest military spending hike in three years. According to Premier Li Keqiang, the additional funding will “advance all aspects of military training and war preparedness, and firmly and resolvedly safeguard national sovereignty, security, and development interests.”

• Tuesday, March 6th 2018 - 09:36 UTC

  Beijing anticipates 6.5% growth, steady rise in foreign trade and prudent and neutral monetary policy

  

  China aims to expand its economy by around 6.5% this year, the same as in 2017, while pressing ahead with its campaign to reduce risks in the financial system, Premier Li Keqiang said on Monday. The goal was kept unchanged even though the economy grew 6.9% last year and exceeded the government's target.

• Tuesday, March 6th 2018 - 08:59 UTC

  UK supermarkets ban sales of energy drinks to children under 16

  

  Sales of energy drinks to children under 16 have been banned in most major UK supermarkets, amid concerns about high levels of sugar and caffeine. Boots is also joining supermarkets such as Asda, Waitrose, Tesco and the Co-op in introducing the rule.

• Tuesday, March 6th 2018 - 06:49 UTC

  A month after leaving the Falklands, “Tarini” has reached Cape Town

  

  Indian Naval Sailing Vessel (INSV) ‘Tarini’ has reached Cape Town in South Africa. This has marked the successful circumnavigation which started in September last year. The all-women crew has created history with the voyage as it is the first-ever Indian circumnavigation by an all-women crew.

• Monday, March 5th 2018 - 09:33 UTC

  An Irish “hard border” remains at the center of UK/EU Brexit debate

  

  The European Union is unlikely to accept the UK's latest proposal for avoiding a “hard border” on the island of Ireland after Brexit, the Irish government has said. Theresa May has said 80% of firms would face no new customs checks between Northern Ireland and the Irish Republic and others would be simplified.

• Monday, March 5th 2018 - 09:05 UTC

  Falklands second air link: Charter flights could make a second flight a non-issue

  

  The recent statement entitled ‘Progress made towards establishing a second commercial Falkland Islands air link’ released by the Falkland Islands Government and sponsored by the governments of UK and Argentina, has met with a mixed reception in the Islands. While some have expressed favor others have reservations and questions.