International

• Friday, August 9th 2019 - 09:37 UTC

  Hundreds gather to mark the 50th anniversary of the Beatles Abbey Road album cover

  

  Hundreds of people gathered at the world's most famous zebra crossing on Thursday to mark the 50th anniversary of the day the Beatles created one of the best-known album covers in music history and an image imitated by countless fans ever since.

• Friday, August 9th 2019 - 08:39 UTC

  Luxembourg questions Amazon for information on Alexa voice assistant

  

  Luxembourg's privacy regulator has asked Amazon for information regarding its Alexa voice assistant, an indication of rising regulatory unease over companies' use of personal data.

• Friday, August 9th 2019 - 08:37 UTC

  Brazil rejects extradition of opponents of Turkish president Erdogan

  

  Brazil’s Supreme Court on Tuesday rejected a request for the extradition of an opponent of Turkish President Tayyip Erdogan saying there was no guarantee he would get a fair trial in Turkey.

• Friday, August 9th 2019 - 08:13 UTC

  German lawmakers propose higher VAT rate on meat to combat global warming

  

  Green and Social Democrat (SPD) politicians in Germany say the 7% sales tax (VAT) rate on meat should be raised to 19% to help curb global warming and fund animal welfare improvements.

• Friday, August 9th 2019 - 08:03 UTC

  Large cruise vessels banned from Venice's historic centre

  

  Large cruise ships are to be banned from entering Venice's historic centre, the Italian government says. Ships weighing more than 1,000 tons will be rerouted away from certain waterways from September. The move follows an accident in June in which a ship collided with a dock, injuring five people.

• Friday, August 9th 2019 - 07:56 UTC

  Despite the trade dispute, China's exports rose 3.3% during July

  

  Chinese exports rose unexpectedly in July, beating expectations for a fall, as trade tensions with the US continued to simmer. Official figures showed exports rose 3.3% last month, compared to forecasts for a 2% drop. Imports fell 5.6% in July, less than the expected 8.3% decline.

• Thursday, August 8th 2019 - 22:50 UTC

  World food security increasingly at risk due to 'unprecedented' climate change impact, new UN report warns

  

  More than 500 million people today live in areas affected by erosion linked to climate change, the UN warned on Thursday, before urging all countries to commit to sustainable land use to help limit greenhouse gas emissions before it is too late.

• Thursday, August 8th 2019 - 20:50 UTC

  Falklands' Mare Harbour Ro-Ro facility upgraded for Point Class vessels

  

  UK/Dutch VolkerStevin was contracted for the of upgrading Mare Harbour in the Falkland Islands, a job which was completed six weeks ahead of schedule and within budget. The improvements to the roll on roll off jetty were part of a £19m contract with VolkerStevin for design and construction.

• Thursday, August 8th 2019 - 09:59 UTC

  Boris Johnson talks to Chilean president Piñera about trade and bilateral close links

  

  Chilean president Sebastián Piñera revealed that last Thursday he had a phone call from UK Prime Minister Boris Johnson and they discussed bilateral issues.

• Thursday, August 8th 2019 - 09:55 UTC

  Puerto Rico finally has a governor, ex Justice secretary Wanda Vazquez

  

  Puerto Rico got its third governor in less than a week on Wednesday just hours after the bankrupt US territory's Supreme Court ruled that Pedro Pierluisi's assumption of the office was unconstitutional and ordered him to leave.