General News
UAE official calls for Qatar to give up 2022 World Cup
Qatar’s diplomatic crisis could be solved if the country were to give up its role as hosts of the 2022 World Cup, a senior official from the United Arab Emirates has said.
Airline trade association IATA says air travel increased 7% in 2016
Global airline trade association the International Air Transport Association (IATA) said on Monday that recently collated industry performance statistics for 2016 showed that throughout its system, airlines carried 3. 8bn passengers on 242m scheduled services throughout the year, a 7% year-on-year increase over 2015.
US and Turkey suspend visa services indefinitely
Turkey and the United States have mutually suspended visa services between the two countries after a row between the two consular departments.
Trump could cause another World War, Republican senator warns
Republican senator Bob Corker has said US President Donald Trump’s recklessness could lead the world to a major conflict.
Catalan officials make conflicting remarks, some see olive branch
A top Catalan official says the regional government is willing to talk to the central government, blaming Madrid for the impasse, even as other officials in Barcelona hint at pursuing a more drawn out declaration of independence, lasting perhaps weeks or months.
Dutch government to be formed with four-party coalition
Dutch prime minister Mark Rutte is set to present a new coalition government to the country’s parliament this week after months of negotiations between several parties.
Retailers to accept old pound coin despite Royal Mint deadline
While the Royal Mint estimated that somewhere in the vicinity of 1. 2bn of old £1 coins would have been handed in by the end of the week, roughly 500m would remain in circulation, leading thousands of shops to make the decision to continue accepting the coins after Sunday's deadline.
Spanish government representative apologises for Catalonia violence
A representative for the Spanish government in Catalonia has apologised for the violence which marred Sunday’s illegal referendum in the region.
Storm Nate kills at least 22 in Central America before heading towards US
A state of emergency has been declared in central America after tropical storm Nate left at least 22 dead in Coast Rica, Nicaragua and Honduras as it heading north towards the US.
Ofcom promises clearer speed information for broadband consumers
Broadband shoppers must receive better information about speeds before they commit to a contract, the regulator said on Friday, under a range of new protections it has set out.
Trump to pull out of Iran nuclear deal, US media reports suggest
US President Donald Trump is preparing to decertify the Iran nuclear agreement, according to several US media reports.
Passenger demand continues to soar for airlines through August
Airlines reported an easing in global seasonally-adjusted traffic since the beginning of the year, but demand still climbed 7. 2% in August compared to the same time twelve months earlier.
Spanish courts suspend Monday's Catalan parliamentary session
Spain's constitutional court has ordered the suspension of a regional parliamentary session in Catalonia on Monday as expectations grow that the body will declare independence next week.
US among trade heavyweights to warn UK over post-Brexit food quotas
Theresa May is facing a further trade headache as seven major trading nations rejected her government’s plan for retaining food quota agreements following Brexit.
IATA urges governments go further in facing emissions challenges
World airline trade association the International Air Transport Association (IATA) called for governments and their partners to show a greater sense of urgency when dealing with climate change.
King of Spain lashes out at 'disloyal' Catalans after referendum controversy
King Felipe of Spain has launched a scathing criticism of Catalan authorities in the aftermath of the controversial independence referendum in the region on Sunday.
Scottish government moves to support fracking ban
The Scottish government confirmed on Tuesday that it would move to back a ban on fracking in the country as it moved to finalise a vote on the matter in the Scottish Parliament by the end of the year.
UK will be ready for 'alternative' if Brexit talks fail, David Davis says
Brexit secretary David Davis told the Conservative party conference the government will be prepared for a scenario where no deal is reached with the European Union before Britain leaves in 2019.
New flu vaccine trial aims to take on all strains
A new flu vaccine aimed at being the first in the world to fight all forms of the virus is about to be tested by Vaccitech, a spin-out from Oxford University's Jenner Institute, on NHS patients.
Catalans to hold general strike in response to referendum violence
A general strike will take place across Catalonia on Tuesday as citizens of the region respond to violent outbursts by security forces during Sunday’s independence referendum.