WORLD AGENDA DECEMBER 2017 Dec 14-15, EU: Deadline to overcome a stalemate on the core Brexit issues at a summit in Brussels. Hopes of progress were raised after UK prime minister Theresa May secured backing from pro-Brexit hardliners to increase the financial settlement Britain will pay when it leaves the European Union in March 2019 Dec 17, Chile: Conservative Sebastian Pinera faces Socialist contender Alejandro Guillier in a run-off for the presidency. The 67-year-old billionaire, who was president from 2010 to 2014, won the first round in November but with fewer votes than expected Dec 21, Spain: Catalonia votes for a new parliament following the independence referendum and the imposition of direct rule by Madrid. Former Catalan government members, including sacked president Carles Puigdemont, who fled to Belgium after declaring independence, are eligible to stand Dec 11, United States: A generic version of Viagra, the little blue pill that has revolutionized the sex life of countless couples, goes into production. Anticipating the loss in 2020 of its patent on Viagra, Pfizer cut its losses and made a deal to allow drug maker Teva to start producing its own version Dec, U.S.: Airbus plans to test its self-piloted flying car, entering the race to produce a marketable answer to gridlock on the roads. Airbus claims the vehicle will be as cheap as making a regular taxi journey Dec, Saudi Arabia: The Haramain bullet train service between the holy cities of Medina and Mecca is due to begin, cutting travel time from four to 2.5 hours Dec 15, U.S.: Star Wars: The Last Jedi is the latest addition to the most successful movie franchise in cinematic history. Many of the cast of characters return, including Princess Leia, although actress Carrie Fisher died in December 2016 before filming was wrapped up Dec 1, Antarctica: A 1.5 million sq km area of the Ross Sea comes under protection as the world’s biggest marine reserve Sources: NewsAhead, Julie Mullins Picture: AP, Getty Images, Newscom, LucasPictures © GRAPHIC NEWS