International

• 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.

• Thursday, August 8th 2019 - 08:35 UTC

  Hero reception in Colombia for Bernal, winner of the Tour de France

  

  The Colombian city of Zipaquirá has welcomed home local hero Egan Bernal, 10 days after he won the Tour de France. Last month the 22-year-old became the first Colombian to win cycling's most prestigious race - and its youngest champion in 110 years. Thousands of people gathered in the town's central square as early as 05:00.

• Wednesday, August 7th 2019 - 09:58 UTC

  Brazil's record on pesticides and weed killers could create problems for the Mercosur/EU trade agreement

  

  Brazil's agriculture minister on Tuesday defended a record number of pesticide and weedkiller approvals this year, saying the government was not “putting poison on anyone's plate.”

• Wednesday, August 7th 2019 - 09:33 UTC

  Trump vows to protect US farmers against China and promises further aid

  

  US President Donald Trump on Tuesday vowed to protect US farmers against China by signaling to provide further aid if needed, a day after Chinese firms stopped agricultural purchases and Beijing threatened more tariffs on US farm products.

• Wednesday, August 7th 2019 - 09:30 UTC

  Applications for Chevening Scholarships to study in the UK open until 5 November

  

  The British Embassy has announced that applications for Chevening Scholarships to study in the UK are open until 5 November 2019.