International

• Wednesday, August 17th 2016 - 19:54 UTC

  Devastating livestock viral disease threatens millions of sheep and goats

  

  A devastating livestock disease is continuing to extend its global reach and is now present in 76 countries. Georgia recently reported its first-ever case of Peste des Petits Ruminants (PPR), a viral disease which is capable of severely impacting goat and sheep populations, while a new outbreak has occurred in the Maldives, showing that even island states are vulnerable to the plague.

• Wednesday, August 17th 2016 - 04:47 UTC

  Fifteen Guantanamo prisoners transferred to the United Arab Emirates

  

  Fifteen prisoners at Guantanamo Bay have been transferred to the United Arab Emirates — the largest single release of the Obama administration. The population of the military prison in Cuba is now down to 61.

• Tuesday, August 16th 2016 - 21:53 UTC

  Australian Olympic robbed during a fire evacuation at the Rio Village

  

  Members of the Australian Olympic team were robbed during a fire evacuation at the Rio de Janeiro Olympic Village, in the latest of a series of complaints about the athletes’ housing complex. The Australian building was evacuated Friday after a fire in the basement, which was likely started by a cigarette.

• Tuesday, August 16th 2016 - 20:59 UTC

  Chevening Scholarships open to applications from Argentina

  

  The United Kingdom Chevening Secretariat is accepting applications for 2017/2018 Chevening Scholarships from 8 August until 8 November 2016, announced the British Embassy in Buenos Aires. Chevening Scholarships are awarded to individuals with demonstrable leadership potential who also have strong academic backgrounds.

• Tuesday, August 16th 2016 - 20:52 UTC

  UK embassy in Chile hosts major workshop on sustainable mining and tailings

  

  Several sustainable mining projects supported by the British Embassy’s 2016 Prosperity Fund and Newton-Picarte science and innovation fund were discussed at a workshop held at the British Embassy in late July.

• Tuesday, August 16th 2016 - 20:12 UTC

  Brazilian flag flies at half mast in the Olympics in honor of Joao Havelange

  

  Former FIFA president and IOC member Joao Havelange has died aged 100. The Brazilian, whose name is one of those used for the track and field stadium for the Rio Games (Estádio Olímpico João Havelange), played a key role in bringing the Olympics to his country. He called on IOC members at the host city vote in 2009 to “join me in celebrating my 100th birthday'” at the Rio Olympics.

• Tuesday, August 16th 2016 - 11:03 UTC

  Guatemalan government makes a call to Apple asking to rename iconic ringtone.

  

  The movement made up of artists and local authorities has now 7000 signatures of support. The “ Marimba ” ringtone is the classic iPhone ringtone and probably one of the most recognizable ringtones in the world. What most people around the globe don’t know is that the Marimba is the national instrument of Guatemala and one of it’s national symbols.

• Tuesday, August 16th 2016 - 06:29 UTC

  More French towns adopt Burkinis' ban; clashes in Corsican beaches

  

  A French court has rejected a demand by a group of French Muslims in Cannes to overturn a ban on full-body, head-covering swimwear on city beaches. A lawyer for the Collective Against Islamophobia in France said after the decision Saturday by a court in nearby Nice that he would lodge an appeal with the Council of State, the highest administrative body in France.

• Tuesday, August 16th 2016 - 06:17 UTC

  Chinese woman falls overboard from cruise vessel and is rescued 38 hours later

  

  Chinese woman who fell off a cruise ship and drifted at sea for 38 hours before being rescued by fishermen has lived to tell the tale. The woman from Shanghai, known only by her surname Fan, leaned too far forward from a ship deck and fell overboard, according to Chinese media.

• Tuesday, August 16th 2016 - 06:11 UTC

  British Airways cuts its food service on flights less than eight and a half hours

  

  British Airways has cut its food service and will no longer provide two meals to economy travelers on flights lasting less than eight-and-a-half hours. Instead of two full meals, passengers will only receive one as part of the new measures, which also apply to journeys lasting less seven hours for premium economy passengers.