International

Monday, October 16th 2017 - 11:26 UTC
Madrid open to dialogue but Catalonia must first reject independence: clock ticking on countdown

The Spanish government will seize control of Catalonia if regional leader Carles Puigdemont gives an ambiguous reply to Madrid’s question about whether he has declared independence from Spain, the interior minister warned Saturday.
Monday, October 16th 2017 - 11:19 UTC
Cannabis as medicine: more research is needed says World Medical Association

Legislation to allow the recreational use of cannabis has been strongly opposed on health grounds by the World Medical Association. But in a policy statement this week, the Association says that laws governing research grade cannabis should be reviewed to allow more scientific research on the use of cannabis for medicinal purposes.
Sunday, October 15th 2017 - 03:47 UTC
St Helena opens to the world with first commercial air link to South Africa

Saturday 14 October marked an exciting new chapter in St Helena’s history when the first ever commercial flight from South Africa touched down at St Helena Airport at 1.59pm.
Saturday, October 14th 2017 - 20:42 UTC
IMF: Latin America must crack down on corruption and improve governance

Latin American and Caribbean governments need to crack down on corruption in order to make their economies more durable and the benefits of growth more widespread, the International Monetary Fund said on Friday.
Saturday, October 14th 2017 - 08:30 UTC
Catalonia's leader under mounting pressure from separatist allies and Madrid

Catalonia’s leader faced mounting pressure on Friday from all sides, with hardliners in the separatist movement demanding he declare independence from Spain once and for all. Spain’s government and the European Union, on the other hand, want him to abandon the secession plans altogether.
Saturday, October 14th 2017 - 08:25 UTC
EU preparing for post-Brexit trade negotiations with UK, ignoring London

The EU is to begin preparing for its post-Brexit trade negotiations with the UK, while refusing to discuss the matter with the British government. An internal draft document suggests the 27 EU countries should discuss trade among themselves while officials in Brussels prepare the details. However the draft text could yet be revised.
Saturday, October 14th 2017 - 08:16 UTC
Japan's steel scandal of falsifying quality data has global manufacturing repercussions

Japan's Kobe Steel has increased the number of firms it says have been affected by its data fabrication scandal from 200 to 500, and has also found “inappropriate actions” relating to nine more products, including falsifying data. Earlier this week, Kobe admitted falsifying quality data on some of its products for up to a decade.
Friday, October 13th 2017 - 15:41 UTC
Thousands rally in Barcelona: “Don't be fooled, Catalonia is Spain”

Thousands of people rallied on Sunday in central Barcelona to protest against the Catalan government’s push for secession from the rest of Spain, with many in the crowd carrying Spanish and Catalan flags.
Friday, October 13th 2017 - 14:56 UTC
Swiss prosecutors will help with 2016 Rio Olympics corruption investigation

Federal prosecutors in Switzerland have agreed to help Brazilian authorities investigating Olympic official Carlos Nuzman, who is suspected of vote-buying in a corruption conspiracy linked to the Rio de Janeiro Games.
Friday, October 13th 2017 - 14:05 UTC
Ryanair set to challenge Lufthansa deal to buy failed Air Berlin

Ryanair is set to challenge a Lufthansa deal to buy parts of failed German carrier Air Berlin. The budget Irish airline said it would take the €210m deal to European competition authorities.