International

• Tuesday, July 18th 2017 - 07:24 UTC

  Pleasant surprise from Far East: Chinese economy grows at annualized 6.9%

  

  China's economy grew at an annual rate of 6.9% between April and June according to official figures, slightly higher than forecast. The growth rate, which compares expansion with the same three months in the previous year, was the same as in the first quarter of 2017.

• Tuesday, July 18th 2017 - 05:43 UTC

  Complicated start for Brexit discussion in Brussels; PM May orders cabinet to stop infighting

  

  Negotiations regarding Britain's exit from the European Union resumed on Monday in Brussels, and Britain's prime minister warned her feuding cabinet to stop its infighting. David Davis, the Britain's Brexit secretary, began four days of talks with EU chief negotiator Michel Barnier in Brussels, but flew home to London after only three hours of negotiation.

• Tuesday, July 18th 2017 - 05:32 UTC

  UK/Gibraltar will establish a consultation mechanism on trade agreements

  

  UK and Gibraltar will establish a mechanism to ensure Gibraltar is consulted on any trade agreements negotiated by Britain outside the EU, both governments said in a joint statement.

• Monday, July 17th 2017 - 05:26 UTC

  Tony Blair does not rule out a Jeremy Corbyn win on a “far Left program”

  

  Tony Blair says he now accepts Jeremy Corbyn could become prime minister. The ex-PM told BBC Newsnight that a year ago he would have said it was impossible for the left-wing Labour leader to win. But he added: “There's been so many political upsets, it's possible Jeremy Corbyn could become prime minister and Labour could win on that program.”

• Monday, July 17th 2017 - 04:59 UTC

  Falklands' demining operations since 2009 have cost London £16.6 million

  

  The British government has spent £ 16.604.385 in demining operations in the Falkland Islands since 2009. The information was confirmed by the Foreign Office following a request under the Freedom of Information Act 2000.

• Monday, July 17th 2017 - 04:49 UTC

  Hammond admits Brexit is holding back investments in UK

  

  Chancellor of the Exchequer Philip Hammond has told the BBC's Andrew Marr Show that businesses are holding off from investing in the UK because of uncertainty about Brexit. The interview came a day before the second round of negotiations which take place this Monday in Brussels.

• Monday, July 17th 2017 - 04:35 UTC

  Tory MP reaffirms UK commitment to stand by Gibraltar after Brexit

  

  Spain’s “eccentric” enclaves in north Africa make its position on Gibraltar “incomprehensible”, said Tory MP Dominic Grieve reaffirming UK’s commitment to stand by Gibraltar after Brexit. Speaking during a visit to Gibraltar, MP Grieve said any future Brexit deal struck by the UK with the EU must also include the Rock.

• Monday, July 17th 2017 - 04:29 UTC

  Britain is in for a rough ride, unless cabinet ministers stop squabbling

  

  Britain is in for “a rough ride” unless cabinet ministers stop squabbling over Brexit, the former head of the civil service has warned. Writing in the Observer, Lord O’Donnell called for cabinet ministers to unite in backing a lengthy transition deal and “start being honest about the complexity of the challenge”. “There is no chance all the details will be hammered out in 20 months,” he warned.

• Monday, July 17th 2017 - 04:12 UTC

  France seeking to disrupt and degrade UK's financial sector, claims City of London

  

  France is actively seeking to exploit Brexit to disrupt and degrade Britain’s lucrative financial sector, a senior City representative has warned. Former foreign office minister Jeremy Browne, who acts as the City of London’s envoy on Brexit, said the French see the British as “adversaries” in the forthcoming withdrawal negotiations.

• Saturday, July 15th 2017 - 08:25 UTC

  Wales, Scotland warn of a “constitutional crisis” if changes are not made to Brexit bill

  

  High-level Brexit talks between the UK government and devolved administrations are stalled because of the political crisis in Northern Ireland, it has been claimed. Meetings of the joint ministerial committee (JMC), the forum intended to bring together the administrations in Westminster, Edinburgh, Cardiff and Belfast, are understood to be on hold because of the lack of a power-sharing executive in Northern Ireland.