
-
Greenland PM visits Denmark as Trump threats loom
-
Philippines, US test air defences as China seizes reef
-
25 killed, fires still burning in huge Iran port blast
-
India and Pakistan troops exchange fire in Kashmir
-
Eighteen killed, fires still burning in huge Iran port blast
-
No handshake at muted India-Pakistan border ceremony
-
Maligned by Trump, White House reporters hold subdued annual gala
-
Austria trials DNA testing to uncover honey fraud
-
Trump trade war pushes firms to consider stockpiling
-
D'Backs' Suarez becomes 19th MLB player to hit four homers in one game
-
Continuity or rupture: what direction for the next pope?
-
Surridge scores four as Nashville smash seven past Chicago
-
Chinese tea hub branches into coffee as tastes change
-
Diplomacy likely to trump geography in choice of new pope
-
All eyes turn to conclave after Pope Francis's funeral
-
Doves, deaths and rations: Papal elections over time
-
Progressive Canadians say social issues blown off election agenda
-
Liverpool primed for Premier League title party
-
Buenos Aires bids farewell to Francis with tears, calls to action
-
Thunder sweep past Grizzlies in NBA playoffs, Cavs on brink
-
Major blast at Iran port kills 14, injures 750
-
'What we live for': Kounde after winning Barca Copa del Rey final
-
More McIlroy magic at PGA pairs event but Novak and Griffin lead
-
Fire rages after major blast at Iran port kills 14, injures 750
-
Denkey wonder-strike keeps Cincinnati on track in MLS
-
Barca edge Real Madrid in extra-time to win wild Copa del Rey final
-
'Legendary' Eubank Jr beats Benn in grudge bout
-
Thunder sweep past Grizzlies into NBA playoffs 2nd round, Cavs on brink
-
South Korea's Ryu and Japan's Saigo share LPGA Chevron lead
-
Canada leaders make closing pitches in campaign upended by Trump
-
De Bruyne's Man City exit 'so difficult' for Guardiola
-
'No regrets' for Amorim over Man Utd move
-
Lyon and Strasbourg win to close in on Europe, Montpellier relegated from Ligue 1
-
Toulouse thrash Castres as Top 14 pursuers stumble
-
Djokovic crashes to nervous Arnaldi in Madrid opener, Swiatek advances
-
Olympic champs Russell, Davis-Woodhall win at Drake Relays
-
Browns end Sanders long draft slide
-
Cavs crush Heat, on brink of NBA playoff sweep
-
Fire rages after major blast at Iran port kills 8, injures hundreds
-
Kiwi Beamish wins Penn Relays 1,500m crown with late kick
-
Mbappe on Real Madrid bench for Clasico Copa del Rey final
-
England survive France fightback to seal Women's 6 Nations slam
-
Palace sweep past Villa to reach FA Cup final
-
CAF appoint Moroccan Lekjaa first vice-president
-
Major blast at Iran port kills 5, injures hundreds
-
Rodgers vows to stay with Celtic after fourth successive Scottish title
-
Ipswich relegated as Newcastle, Chelsea boost top five bids
-
Canada leaders make final pitches in campaign upended by Trump
-
Mullins -- Ireland's national training treasure
-
US, Iran say progress in 'positive' nuclear talks

EU to make pharmaceutical and cosmetic industries pay for treating water
The European Union's parliament Wednesday approved a package of rules that will make the pharmaceutical and cosmetic industries cover more of the costs of cleaning up their waste waters.
With a vote of 481 in favour and 79 against, with 26 abstentions, Europe's parliament rubber-stamped an accord it reached late January with member states.
The text, which revises rules in place since 1991, drastically lowers to 1,000 inhabitants the threshold at which towns will be required by 2035 to eliminate all biodegradable organic materials before they can release their treated used waters into the environment.
Towns with more than 150,000 inhabitants will by 2039 have to remove all nitrogen and phosphorous, and by 2045 a wide range of micropollutants.
Most importantly, the package establishes the principle of "the polluter pays" by imposing greater contributions from the pharmaceutical and cosmetic industries.
According to the EU, 59 percent of micropollutants in water treatment stations come from pharmaceutical producers and 14 percent from cosmetics.
These two sectors will be asked to cover 80 percent of the extra investments needed to eliminate micropollutants, with the remaining 20 percent covered by member states.
The European Commission initially wanted industry to cover the full cost, but it dialled back its demands under pressure from the parliament and industry lobbyists.
The package must still be officially approved by the EU's member states.
P.Silva--AMWN