International

• Thursday, March 15th 2018 - 08:59 UTC

  UK expert in Montevideo to promote British sheep genetics in Uruguay

  

  A British expert in export certification is visiting Uruguay with the aim of promoting the regeneration British genetics in Uruguayan flocks. In Uruguay there are currently four sheep breeds of British origin: Suffolk, Romney Marsh, Hampshire Down and Southdown, in addition to British Texel.

• Thursday, March 15th 2018 - 08:48 UTC

  Micro-plastics presence in bottled water controversy; companies argue they operate at highest standards

  

  Test on major brands of bottled water have found that nearly all of them contained tiny particles of plastic. In the largest investigation of its kind, 250 bottles bought in nine different countries were examined. Research led by journalism organization Orb Media discovered an average of 10 plastic particles per liter, each larger than the width of a human hair.

• Thursday, March 15th 2018 - 06:51 UTC

  UK, Argentina and Falklands closer to agreeing on fisheries cooperation

  

  The United Kingdom, Argentina and the Falkland Islands are closer to agreeing on South Atlantic fisheries improved cooperation, for the conservation of shared resources as once existed with regular joint scientific cruises.

• Wednesday, March 14th 2018 - 16:28 UTC

  Nerve-gas poisoning: UK announces expulsion of 23 Russian diplomats

  

  The UK will expel 23 Russian diplomats after Moscow refused to explain how a Russian-made nerve agent was used on a former spy in Salisbury, the PM says. Theresa May said the diplomats, who have a week to leave, were identified as “undeclared intelligence officers”. She also revoked an invitation to Russia's foreign minister, and said the Royal Family would not attend the Fifa World Cup later this year.

• Wednesday, March 14th 2018 - 09:42 UTC

  Counter terror police looking into “unexplained” death of Russian exile in London

  

  Counter-terror police are leading an investigation into the “unexplained” death of a man in London. He is believed to be Russian businessman Nikolai Glushkov, who claimed political asylum in the UK after being convicted of fraud.

• Wednesday, March 14th 2018 - 09:39 UTC

  Taoiseach Varadkar insists in an open “invisible” Ireland border

  

  Irish Prime Minister Leo Varadkar has dismissed claims that people crossing the Irish border would have to pre-register after Brexit. Speaking from the United States, where he is conducting a series of St Patrick’s Day engagements, the Taoiseach said: “No, it is not a solution that we envisage.”

• Wednesday, March 14th 2018 - 09:37 UTC

  UK will come to regret its decision to leave the EU, says Juncker

  

  The UK will come to regret its decision to leave the European Union, Brussels’ top official has claimed. European Commission president Jean-Claude Juncker said things “cannot remain as they are” for the UK in its relationship with the EU after leaving the bloc.

• Wednesday, March 14th 2018 - 09:27 UTC

  German industry want UK in a customs union after Brexit

  

  German firms ideally want the UK to stay in a customs union after Brexit, a powerful German industry group says. BDI said it would prefer a deep form of integration between Britain and the EU after Brexit. It had previously said the integrity of the single market for remaining European Union member states should be a priority.

• Wednesday, March 14th 2018 - 08:56 UTC

  Francis fifth year as Pope: a fearless reformer overwhelmed by the Church's sex abuse scandals

  

  As Pope Francis marks the fifth year of his papacy next week, the pontiff once hailed as a fearless reformer is under fire for his handling of the sex abuse scandals that have rocked the Roman Catholic Church. Since taking over in March 2013, the 81-year-old Argentine has championed the cause of the marginalized, saying he wanted a “poor church for the poor” and shunning papal palaces and ostentatious displays of wealth.

• Wednesday, March 14th 2018 - 08:48 UTC

  Stephen Hawking, a brilliant mind across time and space, has died

  

  Stephen Hawking, whose brilliant mind ranged across time and space though his body was paralyzed by disease, died early Wednesday, a University of Cambridge spokesman said. He was 76 years old. Hawking died peacefully at his home in Cambridge, England.