News in brief
Britain bids to reassure US business on Brexit talks
WASHINGTON, Sept 2 (AFP) - The minister leading Britain's effort to negotiate a new relationship with Europe met US business leaders to reassure them that a trade deal will be found.
London says it wants “the most seamless and frictionless trade possible” with its former partners after leaving the EU - and eventually a similar deal with the US. But talks have been held up by wrangling over the Brexit divorce bill.
David Davis, Britain's minister for exiting the EU, left Brussels without agreement on Thursday and flew straight to Washington to brief US officials and business executives. Britain and the US have close trade and financial ties, but American firms are concerned that a messy or drawn out Brexit could hurt their investments.
Addressing business leaders at the US Chamber of Commerce, Davis admitted the dispute over the Brexit bill was a sticking point, but insisted he remained optimistic. While Davis' discussions with EU negotiator Michel Barnier have been held behind closed doors, reports suggest the EU has drawn up a 100-billion-euro Brexit bill. British officials are said to be arguing for a sum closer to 40 billion, and the debate has got testy.
US nurse arrested for not giving police patient's blood
LOS ANGELES, Sept 2 (AFP) - Police in the US state of Utah have launched an investigation after video footage showed an officer forcibly arresting a nurse for refusing to draw blood from an unconscious patient. At least two police department employees, including the officer involved, have been placed on administrative leave pending the investigation, the department said.
The images captured by police body cameras and the University Hospital in Salt Lake City show Alex Wubbels screaming for help as she is manhandled out of the medical center and handcuffed.
The nurse was detained for around 20 minutes in a police car before being released after administrative staff intervened, according to Suzanne Winchester, a spokeswoman for hospital. Winchester told AFP blood samples could be handed over to the police only if the patient had given consent, was under arrest or there was a warrant. None of these conditions was met, said Winchester, who added that Wubbels had correctly followed protocol.
The incident unfolded on July 26, but the video was only made public on Thursday at a news conference held by Wubbels. “Stop, stop -- I've done nothing wrong... This is crazy, please sir, you're hurting me,” she is seen pleading as she is frogmarched to a police car.
US reveals details of recent 'sonic attack' on Cuba diplomats
A suspected acoustic attack on US embassy staff in Cuba was reported as recently as last month, US officials have revealed. It was originally thought that the incidents had ended several months ago.
The US State Department also said the number of staff who have reported health problems had increased to 19. It comes as the union representing diplomatic staff says some victims suffered mild brain injuries and permanent hearing loss.
Cuba has denied any involvement in the attacks and says it is investigating the reports. US embassy staff and at least one Canadian began to notice symptoms late last year.
However, the affair was first reported in August when the US expelled two Cuban diplomats from Washington. Officials said the expulsions were in protest at Cuba's failure to protect its diplomats. Sonic devices may have been used to emit inaudible sound waves that can cause deafness, US media suggest.
On Friday, the US government confirmed that an incident took place as recently as August and that the number of staff reporting problems had increased. (BBC)
Modi's $87bn river-linking gamble set to take off as floods hit India
DAUDHAN, Sept 2 (Reuters) - After years of foot-dragging India will begin work in around a month on an $87 billion scheme to connect some of the country’s biggest rivers, government sources say, as PM Narendra Modi bets on the ambitious project to end deadly floods and droughts. The mammoth plan entails linking nearly 60 rivers, including the mighty Ganges, which the government hopes will cut farmers’ dependence on fickle monsoon rains by bringing millions of hectares of cultivatable land under irrigation.
In recent weeks, some parts of India and neighbouring Bangladesh and Nepal have been hit by the worst monsoon floods in years, following two years of poor rainfall.
Modi has personally pushed through clearances for the first phase of the project - which would also generate thousands of megawatts of electricity - the sources say, despite opposition from environmentalists, tiger lovers and a former royal family.
Government officials say diverting water from bounteous rivers such as the Ganges, Godavari and Mahanadi to sparse waterways by building a clutch of dams and a network of canals is the only solution to floods and droughts. But some experts say India would be better off investing in water conservation and better farm practices. Environmentalists and wildlife enthusiasts have also warned of ecological damage.