International

Wednesday, December 4th 2019 - 09:20 UTC
Huge national strike challenges Macron's pension system overhaul

Trains cancelled, schools closed: France scrambled to make contingency plans on Tuesday for a huge strike against pension overhauls that poses one of the biggest challenges yet to President Emmanuel Macron's sweeping reform drive.
Wednesday, December 4th 2019 - 09:20 UTC
Trump promises to stay out of Britain's election, “ I don't want to complicate it”

President Donald Trump on Tuesday promised to “stay out” of Britain's election campaign during a two-day visit, while also seeking to defuse a key attack line against British Prime Minister Boris Johnson over healthcare.
Wednesday, December 4th 2019 - 09:20 UTC
Rare Gauguin painting from his time in Tahiti fetches €9.5 million

A rare canvas by French artist Paul Gauguin from his time in Tahiti fetched €9.5 million (US$10.5 million) in Paris on Tuesday, nearly twice its estimated value, the auction house said.
Tuesday, December 3rd 2019 - 09:18 UTC
Antarctica Day celebrates the signature of the Antarctic Treaty, 1st December 1959

Antarctica Day was inaugurated in 2010 to celebrate the 1st December 1959 signature of the Antarctic Treaty, which was adopted “with the interests of science and the progress of all mankind.” Antarctica Day was initiated by the Foundation for the Good Governance of International Spaces as an annual event to build global awareness of this landmark institution, celebrating this milestone of peace in our civilization with hope and inspiration for future generations.
Tuesday, December 3rd 2019 - 09:15 UTC
The 2019 Literature Nobel Prize award implodes in the scandal-hit Swedish Academy

Two external members of the Nobel literature prize committee quit on Monday after criticizing the scandal-hit Swedish Academy. The 233-year-old Academy was forced to introduce several new measures after a sex scandal involving the husband of a former member escalated into a bitter row that meant it had to postpone the award for 2018.
Tuesday, December 3rd 2019 - 08:52 UTC
US react to French digital services tax threatening with duties on champagne and cheese

The U.S. government on Monday said it may slap punitive duties of up to 100% on US$2.4 billion in imports from France of Champagne, handbags, cheese and other products, after concluding that France’s new digital services tax would harm U.S. tech companies.
Monday, December 2nd 2019 - 09:48 UTC
Johnson expects Trump to avoid comments on UK election while in London for NATO summit

US President Donald Trump leaves on Monday for a NATO summit in London and he is under pressure from British Prime Minister Boris Johnson to resist the temptation to wade into the British election campaign coming up later in December.
Monday, December 2nd 2019 - 09:37 UTC
Bolsonaro accuses Di Caprio of helping fund groups linked to fires in the Amazon rainforest

American actor Leonardo DiCaprio denied a claim by Brazilian President Jair Bolsonaro that he had helped fund groups allegedly linked to fires in the Amazon rain forest.
Monday, December 2nd 2019 - 09:22 UTC
Bank of England governor Mark Carney appointed UN Envoy for Climate Action

Bank of England governor Mark Carney has been appointed United Nations Special Envoy for Climate Action and Finance. Mr. Carney will take up his new post once his term as governor ends on 31 January 2020.
Monday, December 2nd 2019 - 09:19 UTC
Russia the kingpin of the global gas sector; Putin launches “Power of Siberia” with China's Xi

Russian President Vladimir Putin and Chinese leader Xi Jinping launched this Monday a gas pipeline that is the first of three ambitious projects intended to cement Moscow's role as top gas exporter.