International

Monday, August 17th 2020 - 08:10 UTC
Australian marathon swimmer breaks the men's record for number of English Channel crossings, 35

An Australian marathon swimmer on Sunday (Aug 16) became the second woman to break the men's record for number of Channel crossings - and avoided new UK quarantine rules on French arrivals on her return.
Monday, August 17th 2020 - 08:02 UTC
“A” Level exams controversy becomes a political time bomb for Boris Johnson

The British government was criticized by lawmakers in its own party on Sunday after a mounting row over English exam grades awarded during the COVID-19 pandemic intensified, in the latest hit to its reputation.
Monday, August 17th 2020 - 07:58 UTC
New Zealand's PM Jacinda Arden postpones the general election to October 17

New Zealand's Prime Minister Jacinda Ardern on Monday postponed the general election by four weeks to Oct 17 but ruled out delaying it any further, as the country tackles a new outbreak of the coronavirus.
Saturday, August 15th 2020 - 09:45 UTC
Falklands Day celebrated with a presentation at FIGO in London

Falklands Day is the celebration of the first sighting of the Falkland Islands by John Davis in 1592 and is commemorated on 14 August. It was once seen as the National Day of the Falklands but has largely been replaced by Liberation Day which commemorates the end of the Falklands War.
Saturday, August 15th 2020 - 09:44 UTC
Spain closes nightclubs and bans drinking and smoking in outdoor public areas

Spanish authorities ordered the closure of nightclubs, banned drinking in outdoor public areas, and smoking when keeping a safe distance from people is impossible, among other measures imposed on Friday to try to stem a coronavirus resurgence.
Saturday, August 15th 2020 - 09:31 UTC
European Union agrees to buy 300 million doses of AstraZeneca's Covid-19 vaccine

The European Union has agreed to buy at least 300 million doses of AstraZeneca's potential COVID-19 vaccine in its first such advance purchase deal, which could weaken plans led by the World Health Organization (WHO) for a global approach.
Saturday, August 15th 2020 - 09:29 UTC
Taiwan to purchase 66 new generation F-16 fighters; Beijing furious

Taiwan finalized the purchase of F-16 fighter jets from US aircraft manufacturer Lockheed Martin on Friday, in a US$62 billion, a 10-year deal sure to anger Beijing. Underscoring the sensitivity of the transaction, the Pentagon announced the contract without specifying the buyer, but a source confirmed it was Taiwan.
Saturday, August 15th 2020 - 09:22 UTC
Argentine soy oil contracts under pressure from “wash out” by Chinese importers

Chinese importers have started to practice “wash out” with Argentine soy oil contracts, which is having an impact on the local industry.
Saturday, August 15th 2020 - 09:21 UTC
US extends ban on border crossing with Canada and Mexico until September 21

The US Department of Homeland Security said on Friday that a COVID-19 ban on non-essential travel through border crossings with Canada and Mexico was being extended until Sep 21.
Friday, August 14th 2020 - 10:32 UTC
Conservative party will hold its spring conference in Newport, Wales

The Conservative Party will hold its UK spring conference in Newport, during the run-up to May's Senedd election. The party said up to 8,000 people will attend the event, at the International Convention Centre (ICC) Wales, and inject £20m into the local economy.