Politics

• Saturday, November 5th 2016 - 17:19 UTC

  EU and Canada sign free trade accord, but has to clear 40 European parliaments

  

  The European Union and Canada signed a free trade agreement that aims to generate jobs and growth though it must still clear some 40 national and regional parliaments in Europe in the coming years to enter fully into force. Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau signed the treaty along with the heads of EU institutions, a step that should enable a provisional implementation of the pact early in 2017 with the removal of most import duties.

• Saturday, November 5th 2016 - 10:17 UTC

  Ezeiza airport shortlisted for 'domestic' gateway into the U.S.

  

  Buenos Aires' Ezeiza International Airport was shortlisted by the Department of Homeland Security of the United States along with ten other terminals in the world to be of “assessed preference” in the preclearance program.

• Saturday, November 5th 2016 - 10:11 UTC

  OAS Electoral Observation Mission to the United States completes deployment

  

  The Electoral Observation Mission of the Organization of American States (EOM/OAS) to the United States has completed the deployment of its observers and experts ahead of the General Elections that will be held next Tuesday, November 8th. On November 9th, the day after the election, the Chief of the OAS Mission will present a preliminary report.

• Saturday, November 5th 2016 - 09:49 UTC

  Bank of England raises inflation and growth forecasts, but Brexit uncertainty remains

  

  The Bank of England has raised its near-term growth and inflation forecasts on Thursday following the slide in sterling seen since the U.K.'s decision to leave the European Union. The bank decided Thursday to keep interest rates at the record low level of 0.25% and maintan its quantitative easing (QE) purchase targets at up to £10 billion for corporate bonds and £435 billion for U.K. government bonds.

• Saturday, November 5th 2016 - 07:11 UTC

  UK Defense Secretary confirms 2017 start for Type 26 Frigates

  

  Defence Secretary Michael Fallon announced that the steel cut for the Royal Navy’s new next generation Type 26 Global Combat Ship now will take place in summer 2017, subject to final contract negotiations. The 2015 Strategic Defence and Security Review (SDSR15) set out the UK Government's commitment to build eight Anti-Submarine Type 26 Global Combat Ships.

• Saturday, November 5th 2016 - 06:57 UTC

  Garcia-Margallo replaced by pro-Europe diplomat in Rajoy's new cabinet

  

  Spain’s Prime Minister Mariano Rajoy has dropped José Manuel García-Margallo from his cabinet, replacing him as Foreign Minister with a career diplomat from Jerez de la Frontera. Although there had been wide speculation that García-Margallo would not continue in the Ministry for Foreign Affairs, the appointment of 61-year old Alfonso María Dastis Quecedo took most pundits by surprise.

• Saturday, November 5th 2016 - 03:50 UTC

  Opposition leaders Boudou, Esteche and D'Elia head march onto Plaza de Mayo

  

  Former Argentine Vicepresident Amado Boudou and other Kirchnerite leaders took centre stage on Friday as unions marched onto Plaza de Mayo in Buenos Aires to demand the resumption of collective bargaining talks and a year-end bonus, “If they do not listen, there will be a strike”

• Friday, November 4th 2016 - 22:59 UTC

  Bolivia seeks access to Pacific Ocean via Peruvian por of Ilo

  

  Integration between both countries appears to be on a smooth path after second binational cabinet meeting in Sucre, chaired by Presidents Evo Morales and Pedro Pablo Kuczynski. Railway road to Brazilian port of Santos also on the table

• Friday, November 4th 2016 - 11:53 UTC

  Clinton stays ahead in polls, but lead get narrower down by the minute with five days to go

  

  Hillary Clinton leads Donald Trump, 46%-42% natiowide, with data updated Thursday to include two new national surveys taken after Friday's revelation that the FBI would review new emails to assess The Decmocrate candidate's handling of classified material at the State Department.

• Friday, November 4th 2016 - 10:28 UTC

  UK pledges additional funds for the Colombian peace process and demining

  

  The UK will increase its contribution to prosperity programs in Colombia by up to £25 million, supporting economic development and opening up investment and export opportunities worth in the region of £6 billion to the UK economy.