International

• Wednesday, September 30th 2015 - 07:32 UTC

  New Zealand announces huge marine reserve; fishing and mining industries 'surprised'

  

  New Zealand has revealed plans to turn an area of the South Pacific about the size of France into a marine reserve. The Kermadec Ocean Sanctuary lies north of the mainland and includes a chain of islands and underwater volcanoes.

• Wednesday, September 30th 2015 - 06:38 UTC

  Plenty of Cristina's friends referred to the Malvinas claim at the UN

  

  Although president Cristina Fernandez, to the surprise of many, did not mention a word about Argentina's claim over the Falkland Islands, particularly since this was her last address to the UN General Assembly, Minister Hector Timerman said that nobody could doubt the president's commitment to the Malvinas question, and there were plenty of mentions to the issue from allied countries.

• Tuesday, September 29th 2015 - 07:26 UTC

  Audi admits 2.1 million of its cars are fitted with emissions cheating software

  

  Luxury car brand Audi has confirmed that 2.1 million of its cars around the world were outfitted with software that enabled them to cheat emissions standards. The announcement clarifies Audi's role in the diesel emissions scandal roiling its parent company, Volkswagen.

• Tuesday, September 29th 2015 - 06:54 UTC

  A repeat of the Corbyn surprise in United States?

  

  By Gwynne Dyer - Jeremy “Jez” Corbyn and Bernie Sanders are very much alike - and so are their ambitions. Corbyn wants to lead Britain's Labour Party into the next election and become prime minister; Sanders wants to win the Democratic Party nomination and become the next President of the United States. And then each man plans to turn his country sharply to the left.

• Tuesday, September 29th 2015 - 06:19 UTC

  Corbyn's Falklands 'negotiable' approach causes dissent among Labour

  

  Labour leader Jeremy Corbyn statement that the Falkland Islands are 'negotiable', a position he has maintained since he was first elected to Parliament, not only triggered immediate reaction from veterans and Falkland Islanders when he was chosen earlier this month: in effect, senior members from the party, even those within his shadow cabinet openly express their disapproval of his views, according to UK media reports.

• Tuesday, September 29th 2015 - 05:46 UTC

  Obama willing to work with Iran and Russia to end Syrian conflict, but not with President al-Assad

  

  The United States is willing to work with Iran and Russia to try to end the Syrian conflict, US President Barack Obama on Monday but insisted there could not be a return to the status quo under Syrian President Bashar al-Assad.

• Tuesday, September 29th 2015 - 05:31 UTC

  A new bout of losses in Asian markets over fears of growth and lower commodities prices

  

  Asian shares have headed sharply lower, following the rout in global equities as fears over growth and lower commodity prices grow. Japanese shares hit an eight-month low as investors awaited the Bank of Japan's Tankan quarterly business confidence survey, due on Wednesday.

• Tuesday, September 29th 2015 - 05:17 UTC

  Cristina Fernandez points her guns to the US and 'vulture funds', but no word on the Falklands

  

  Addressing the UN General Assembly, President Cristina Fernandez accused the United States of 'protecting' a former Argentine intelligence agent, blasted the speculative or 'vulture funds', gave details of the Iran-US-Argentina dealings and to everybody's surprise did not mention a word about the Falkland Islands sovereignty claim.

• Monday, September 28th 2015 - 11:15 UTC

  Francis leaves Philadelphia with “a heart full of gratitude and hope”

  

  Pope Francis left Philadelphia and is headed back to Rome on Sunday night, bringing his historic trip to the U.S. and Cuba to a close. The pope's airport farewell included appearances from Vice President Joe Biden, Philadelphia Mayor Michael Nutter and Pennsylvania Gov. Tom Wolf, as well as a performance by a high school band.

• Monday, September 28th 2015 - 11:08 UTC

  Francis pledges clergy and bishops abusing children will be held accountable

  

  Pope Francis has celebrated a large open-air Mass in Philadelphia, ending his six-day visit to the US. He appealed for unity and family love, as thousands of people gathered at the city's Benjamin Franklin Parkway. Earlier, the pontiff prayed with a group of victims of child sexual abuse, saying “God weeps” for their suffering.