World Briefs

POLLUTION The International Energy Agency says each year about 6.5 million deaths worldwide are linked to air pollution and warns that the number will grow unless the energy sector steps up its efforts to slash emissions. The IEA projected that premature deaths from outdoor air pollution would rise to 4.5m by 2040, from 3m today.

CHINA is a potential winner if Britain and the European Union rework trade deals and look for investors after a British exit. Beijing faces a blow from weaker European demand for its exports and pressure to hold its yuan steady in turbulent currency markets.

THAILAND The head of the military government says he will not step down if an August referendum fails to approve a draft constitution it is promoting. PM Prayuth Chan-ocha was responding to a reporter’s question of whether he would emulate David Cameron, who announced he would resign after UK voters in Brexit referendum rejected his position endorsing staying in the European Union. Opposition leaders had suggested he resign if the draft constitution did not pass.

PHILIPPINES President-elect Duterte says he will aggressively promote artificial birth control in the country even at the risk of getting in a fight with the dominant Catholic church, which staunchly opposes the use of contraceptives.

SPAIN’s center-left Socialist party rejected acting PM Mariano Rajoy’s proposal to form a “grand coalition” with his conservative Popular Party a day after it won the country’s unprecedented repeat election. PP won 137 seats in Sunday’s vote, which was still short of the majority in the 350-seat Parliament.

BREXIT Angela Merkel says she understands Britain may need ‘a certain amount of time’ to begin Brexit negotiations. Merkel’s spokesman rejected ‘informal’ exit talks before the UK files formal notice of leaving the European Union.

MARKETS European stocks and the pound fall further as concern grows over the potential economic costs of Britain’s vote to bring its country, the world’s fifth-largest economy, out of the European Union.

NEW ZEALAND is poised to toughen its disclosure rules for offshore trusts in the wake of the massive data leak known as the “Panama Papers.” Tax expert John Shewan yesterday released a report recommending a big increase in the amount of information disclosed when a foreign trust sets up, as well as increased annual reporting requirements and enforcement.

USA A record 43 million Americans are expected to travel this Independence Day weekend, with the overwhelming majority driving, according to AAA, a car lobbying group and one of the nation’s largest travel agencies. This tops the joint record set last year. Lower gas prices, strong consumer confidence and a generally healthy domestic economy have led more families to take trips this summer.