International

• Thursday, August 22nd 2019 - 15:51 UTC

  Microplastics in drinking water, “low risk” for human health, says WHO

  

  Microplastics contained in drinking water pose a “low” risk to human health at current levels, but more research is needed to reassure consumers, the World Health Organization (WHO) said on Thursday.

• Thursday, August 22nd 2019 - 09:56 UTC

  Bolsonaro suggests green groups started the blaze in the Amazon to blame him

  

  Wildfires in the Amazon rainforest in northern Brazil have ignited a firestorm on social media, with President Jair Bolsonaro on Wednesday suggesting green groups started the blazes. Images of fires purportedly devouring sections of the world's largest rainforest have gone viral on Twitter.

• Thursday, August 22nd 2019 - 09:44 UTC

  IMF wants to lead the way in retirement and pensions reform

  

  The International Monetary Fund's board on Wednesday recommended a rule change that would scrap the age limit for its leader, clearing the path to the top job for Bulgaria's Kristalina Georgieva.

• Thursday, August 22nd 2019 - 09:19 UTC

  British Prime Minister girlfriend barred from entering the United States

  

  The girlfriend of new British Prime Minister Boris Johnson has been denied permission to enter the United States because of her trip to East Africa’s Somaliland in 2018. Carrie Symonds, who moved into 10 Downing Street when Johnson became prime minister in July, was hoping to visit the US in the next few days as part of her adviser role for Oceana, a US-based environmental non-profit organization.

• Thursday, August 22nd 2019 - 08:39 UTC

  
Spanish police net compulsive “upskirter”, who recorded underwear videos of over 500 women

  

  Spanish police said on Wednesday they have arrested a man suspected of secretly recording videos of the underwear of over 500 women, some of them minors, on public transit and supermarkets.

• Thursday, August 22nd 2019 - 08:36 UTC

  In peak tourist season Spain issues international alert on the country's listerosis outbreak

  

  Spain's health ministry issued an international alert over the country's biggest-ever listeriosis outbreak on Wednesday as the number of people affected rose to 150, including one fatality.

• Thursday, August 22nd 2019 - 08:20 UTC

  Brazilian born striker becomes first to represent China's national soccer team

  

  Brazil-born striker Elkeson is in line to become the first player without Chinese heritage to represent China after the country's football authorities registered him for Asia's World Cup qualifying tournament next month.

• Wednesday, August 21st 2019 - 09:50 UTC

  Deforestation: Brazil Amazon states want to deal directly with Norway and Germany

  

  Brazilian states containing the country’s Amazon rainforest said they want to negotiate directly with European nations who fund projects to curb deforestation after changes proposed by the federal government led Norway and Germany to suspend donations.

• Wednesday, August 21st 2019 - 09:42 UTC

  UK program to help boost trade facilitation and export programs

  

  A new trade facilitation program will support Brazilian businesses to export, which will help boost trade with countries including the UK. The £20 million program will work with existing export promotion and trade facilitation programs across Brazil to help bring businesses of all sizes to international markets.

• Wednesday, August 21st 2019 - 09:24 UTC

  China hopes to welcome the US at the climate change UN summit in Chile

  

  China hopes to welcome the United States “back to the negotiating table” to discuss global efforts to limit climate change at a United Nations summit to be hosted by Chile in December, its top climate change envoy said on Tuesday.