Tuesday, February 18

Day: February 28, 2018

Germany Paves Way for Diesel Ban: Dealing Blow to Auto Makers
Europe, Featured

Germany Paves Way for Diesel Ban: Dealing Blow to Auto Makers

    A German court rang the death knell for certain diesel cars on Tuesday, striking a blow to the country’s flagship auto industry that could now be forced to spend billions to upgrade or replace millions of cars. Rejecting an appeal of a lower court decision, the Federal Administrative Court in Leipzig ruled that German cities Stuttgart and Düsseldorf, which appealed local court rulings, could ban diesel vehicles from urban traffic as a way to reduce pollution. Ultimately, the ruling clears the way for other cities to issue bans, which could result in the hometowns of German auto icons Mercedes-Benz, BMW AG, and Audi banning some of those manufacturers’ flagship products. Germany’s blue chip DAX index fell sharply on the news as the stocks of auto makers Volkswagen A...
Protests planned as Saudi’s Crown Prince visit to UK
Featured, United Kingdom

Protests planned as Saudi’s Crown Prince visit to UK

    Protests outside Downing Street have been planned after the Prime Minister confirmed she will welcome Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman to Britain. Human rights campaigners will hold a demonstration next Wednesday as the designated successor to the Saudi throne jets into the UK. They are calling on Theresa May to tackle the Crown Prince over his country's human rights record, as well as to suspend UK arms sales to Saudi Arabia amid the kingdom's military action in Yemen. Groups such as Stop the War Coalition, which counts shadow home secretary Diane Abbott among their patrons, will join anti-arms trade campaigners in Westminster. It has been calculated Britain has licensed £4.6bn worth of arms to Saudi Arabia since it began its intervention in neighbouring Ye...
Harry and Meghan consider their charitable future
Featured, United Kingdom

Harry and Meghan consider their charitable future

    Prince Harry and Meghan Markle are looking closely at issues around youth violence as they decide what charitable interests they will focus on as a married couple. Representatives from The Royal Foundation confirmed they are now researching the work that's taking place in the UK to combat youth violence. It comes after Harry and Meghan visited Reprezent, a radio station in Brixton that was set up in 2008 following a rise in knife crime, and met with young people and mentors from the Full Effect project in Nottingham which helps to keep young people out of gangs. Later today Meghan will carry out her first official working engagement alongside her future in-laws. She will join Prince Harry, and the Duke and Duchess of Cambridge at the first annual event to celebrat...
Your rights if you can’t get to work due to snow
Featured, United Kingdom

Your rights if you can’t get to work due to snow

    The MET Office have issued an amber weather, but that may soon be updated to red as the heavy snow continues. Police have advised people not to travel unless it is absolutely neccessary. So what are your rights if you can't make it into work? Will I be in trouble if I can't make it in? Your boss might be able to make you take unpaid leave, holiday days or work flexible hours to make up time – even if you legitimately can't make it in. But if you show you've made an effort and speak to them early, a reasonable boss shouldn't penalise you. Slide 1 of 29: 29th December 1962: A skier being pulled along behind a car in Earl's Court, London. (Photo by Terry Fincher & Michael Stroud/Express/Getty Images) A skier being pulled along behind a car in Earl's Court, Lon...
EU unveils Brexit draft, ramping up pressure on Britain
Featured, United Kingdom

EU unveils Brexit draft, ramping up pressure on Britain

    Concerned that time is fast running out, the European Union moved Wednesday to force Britain's hand in Brexit negotiations by publishing a draft text that provocatively distils into legal language what they have and even what they have not agreed so far about Britain's departure. Britain officially leaves the EU on March 29 next year but Brexit talks must conclude this fall so that parliaments have time to ratify the final withdrawal agreement. The new text summarizes all aspects of the talks so far, but takes a tough line on issues where British input is lacking. While rumors about the document's content has already angered some on the other side of the English Channel, Barnier told reporters that this draft text contains no surprises for our British friends. EU ...