Theresa May has said the UK might not pay the Brexit divorce bill in the event of a no-deal Brexit. Mrs May said that while the government has agreed to settle outstanding obligations, “without a deal the position changes”. The comments contradict Chancellor Philip Hammond, who told a Lords committee on Tuesday that the UK would still have to pay money to Brussels in the event of a “no deal” outcome.
Pope Francis has called a conference to discuss sex abuse scandals. He will summon the presidents of the world bishops’ conferences to the Vatican City to discuss how to protect children from sexual abuse. The conference is expected to take place in February, although it is unclear as to whether this a largely symbolic move to save-face following recent scandals.
The Ocean Cleanup Project has sent its ‘Ocean Cleanup System 001’ out to sea on a two-week trial. The device is designed to collect ocean waste and help protect marine life. The system acts as a 600-meter-long artificial shoreline which will allow waste to ‘wash-up’, where it can be efficiently collected by boats. The test is set to see how the wall itself will impact marine life and whether they would also be collected along with the ocean trash.
And in other news,
Apple have unveiled a series of new products at their annual launch event. Specs and aesthetics of products have been updated to be brought into line with the iPhone X design, the companies flagship device that was launched in 2017. New products include the iPhone XS, iPhone XS Max and the iPhone XR, the latter being a budget version of the phone, although it will still set you back $749.
From the speakerpolitics news desk, you are up to date.
