International

Tuesday, December 12th 2017 - 09:02 UTC
Irish and French argue “a win for Mercosur in agriculture is a loss for EU farmers”

Irish MEP and vice-president of the European Parliament Mairead McGuinness is representing the European Parliament at the ministerial assembly on the World Trade Organization (WTO) in Argentina, which began on Sunday, and has warned that rushing towards a Mercosur/European Union deal would jeopardize the EU beef industry.
Tuesday, December 12th 2017 - 08:51 UTC
Welsh Labour MP calls for a second referendum on final Brexit deal

A Welsh Labour MP is calling for a second referendum on the final Brexit deal because the “British people should have the last word”. Geraint Davies' backbench bill offering a vote on whether to accept the deal negotiated between the UK and the EU was published in detail on Monday.
Tuesday, December 12th 2017 - 08:33 UTC
Scottish Brexit minister calls for “basic answers” to the UK/EU deal

Scottish Brexit minister Mike Russell has called for “basic answers” about the deal struck with European leaders ahead of talks with UK ministers. Mr Russell is in London for a summit with members of the UK government and the other devolved administrations.
Tuesday, December 12th 2017 - 07:50 UTC
Strong reply to Netanyahu: No European leaders plan to adopt Trump's position on Jerusalem

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu urged the EU on Monday to back a new U.S. peace initiative in the Middle East, after President Donald Trump's unilateral decision to recognize Jerusalem as Israel's capital met with widespread condemnation.
Monday, December 11th 2017 - 16:37 UTC
Futures market for Bitcoins took off on Sunday at Chicago Board Options Exchange

The first-ever Bitcoin future jumped after it began trading on Sunday as the increasingly popular virtual currency made its debut on a major U.S. exchange. The futures contract that expires in January surged more than US$3,000 to US$18,010 four hours after trading launched on the Chicago Board Options Exchange. The contract opened at US$15,000, according to data from the CBOE.
Monday, December 11th 2017 - 16:02 UTC
UK fishermen urge call for a short Brexit transition period: nine month is enough

Fishermen's leaders have urged ministers to rule out a long Brexit transition as officials meet in Brussels for fish quota talks. The Scottish Fishermen's Federation (SFF) said only a nine-month transition period was needed for UK fleets to leave the Common Fisheries Policy.
Monday, December 11th 2017 - 15:36 UTC
EU/Japan sign free trade deal comprising 30% of global GDP and reaffirm rejection of protectionism

The European Union and Japan have concluded negotiations on a giant free trade deal that they said was reached while “fighting the temptation of protectionism”, a message apparently directed at U.S. President Donald Trump. The deal, which the EU called its biggest ever, must be signed and ratified by both sides.
Monday, December 11th 2017 - 08:29 UTC
United Nations year-long campaign to honor foundational human rights document 70th anniversary

The United Nations on Sunday kicked off in Paris, France, a year-long campaign to honor the foundational human rights document, which next year marks its 70th anniversary.
Monday, December 11th 2017 - 04:57 UTC
Mercosur/EU closer to an agreement but differences on new farm proposal remain undecided

The European Union’s farm chief pressed Mercosur countries to offer market access for EU wines, spirits, olive oil and dairy goods to help seal a free-trade agreement that has been in the works for two decades.
Monday, December 11th 2017 - 02:49 UTC
Battle Day in London

The annual Falklands memorial service at the Cenotaph took place on the 9th December under a brilliant cloudless sky. This commemorates all those who gave their lives liberating the Falklands from Argentine occupation in 1982. But it originally commemorated the naval Battle of the Falkland Islands, on the 8th of December 1914, and those who gave their lives then.