International

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.
Monday, December 11th 2017 - 02:38 UTC
Arab allies urge US to abandon recognition of Jerusalem as Israel's capital; appeal to UN Security Council

Arab foreign ministers on Sunday urged the United States to abandon its decision to recognize Jerusalem as Israel's capital, saying the move would increase violence throughout the region.
Monday, December 11th 2017 - 02:13 UTC
WTO summit takes off in Buenos Aires: anybody's guess what the outcome can be

Under fire from the United States, wracked by disagreements over China and unable to kick-start stalled trade talks, the World Trade Organization meets under a cloud in Argentina from this Sunday. The Buenos Aires meeting will be the first in the era of US President Donald Trump, who has pummeled the 164-member body relentlessly since taking office, even describing it as a “disaster”
Monday, December 11th 2017 - 01:48 UTC
Fishing subsidies to be on the WTO summit table in Buenos Aires

Meeting for the first time in Latin America, the World Trade Organization’s 11th Ministerial Conference will take place in Buenos Aires from 10-13 December. Central to this year’s talks will be an international deal to curb harmful fishing subsidies. These are government payments or tax breaks that contribute to overcapacity, overfishing and illegal fishing (IUU) globally.
Monday, December 11th 2017 - 01:31 UTC
WTO summit in Buenos Aires: Argentina revokes WTO credentials of European activists

Argentina blocked two European activists from entering the country on the eve of the World Trade Organization's ministerial meeting in Buenos Aires, the two told a local radio program Saturday.
Saturday, December 9th 2017 - 20:22 UTC
Da Vinci's record US$ 450 million “Salvator Mundi” exhibited at Louvre Abu Dhabi

The Louvre Abu Dhabi is getting Leonardo Da Vinci’s “Salvator Mundi,” which sold last month at a Christie’s auction for US$ 450 million, the most ever paid for a work of art. Christie’s said the artwork will be going to the museum, but declined to say whether the Louvre Abu Dhabi bought the painting. The Louvre Abu Dhabi said in a tweet Wednesday: “Da Vinci’s Salvator Mundi is coming to #LouvreAbuDhabi.”
Friday, December 8th 2017 - 21:13 UTC
Breakthrough in Brexit negotiations; Juncker calls it a compromise

The European Commission said on Friday enough progress had been made in Brexit negotiations with Britain to allow a second phase of talks on future relations to begin, ending an impasse over the status of the Irish border.