Trump threatens to pull US out of WTO +++ Deadline looms to clinch NAFTA +++ Anti-immigrant protestors demonstrate in Chemnitz

1. Oktober 2018, 02:00

Trump threatens to pull US out of WTO

President Donald Trump has threatened to pull the United States out of the World Trade Organisation, if it doesn't change the way it operates. Trump, who has championed protectionist policies since taking office, says the US is treated unfairly by the WTO, which sets out the rules which govern international trade. In an interview with Bloomberg news Trump gave this assessment: "I would say the WTO was the single worst trade deal ever made... and if they don't shape up I would withdraw from the WTO."

Deadline looms to clinch NAFTA

Efforts to conclude the renegotiation of the North American Free Trade Agreement are continuing today. Despite holding four separate meetings yesterday, the Canadian Foreign Minister and the US trade representative were unable to reach a deal. President Trump has said he wants a deal by today.

Anti-immigrant protestors demonstrate in Chemnitz

Right-wing extremists have taken to the streets in Chemnitz in eastern Germany for the third time this week. There was no repeat of the violence witnessed earlier in the week but police are investigating several suspected criminal acts. The rallies come in response to the killing of a German man in a multi-ethnic dispute. Meanwhile, a demonstration against violence and xenophobia held in Berlin last night attracted around 5,000 people.

Church defends confession in abuse reporting

Roman Catholic bishops in Australia have rejected the need for a law that would compel priests to report child abuse when they learn about it during confessions. They said they were committed to safeguarding children but that breaking the absolute privacy between confessors and priests could undermine religious freedom.

Insects will eat more crops as globe warms

New research on insects has warned that there may be greater damage to food crops if temperatures continue to rise. The findings by US scientists suggest that in a hotter world insects will breed and eat more. Insects currently consume around 10 percent of crops but the study found that could increase to up to 20 percent by the end of the century. Curtis Deutsch led the research: "If you take an insect and put it into a warmer environment, it burns more calories. And that means that they need to eat more food, and of course if that insect is a pest that feeds on crops it means they're doing more damage to the crop plants."

EU backs scrapping clock changes

The European Commission says it will draw up proposals to abolish adjusting the clocks in spring and autumn in the EU. Its head, Jean-Claude Juncker, said millions of people had been consulted already and a majority would rather remain on summer time. Any change would need approval from national governments and the European parliament to become law.

The weather

Generally cloudy with rain and storms moving in from the West. Highs ranging between 13 degrees in the west and 26 in the east.

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