Stories for September 14th 2017

Thursday, September 14th 2017 - 20:49 UTC
Brazilian congress advances political reform to streamline parties; 28 have elected members

Brazil's lower house of Congress has given initial approval to a bill to reduce the huge array of political parties that have made it hard to govern the country and contributed to corruption. The chamber voted 384-16 for the establishment of a minimum national vote threshold that parties must reach to get public funding and free radio and television time for their election campaigns. The requirement would be 1.5% of votes in 2018, rising to 3% in 2030.
Thursday, September 14th 2017 - 19:17 UTC
Brazilian agriculture minister home raided by police on corruption probe

Brazil's Police raided the home of a top government official Thursday seeking evidence in yet another corruption case involving a member of embattled President Michel Temer's Cabinet. The operation was authorized by Brazil's top court and is part of an investigation of Agriculture Minister Blairo Maggi, who is suspected of bribing state lawmakers during his 2003-2010 terms as governor of Mato Grosso.
Thursday, September 14th 2017 - 18:53 UTC
Irish beef farmers warn that an EU/Mercosur deal is a “completely unacceptable”

Pushing the European Union Mercosur deal is a “completely unacceptable”, according to Meat Industry Ireland’s (MII) director Cormac Healy. In a statement, Healy said that any progression and completion of the Mercosur trade deal will have negative effects on the EU beef market.
Thursday, September 14th 2017 - 18:24 UTC
Falklands government donates £200k to Caribbean Islands affected by Hurricane Irma

The Falkland Islands Government has made £200k available to assist sister UK Overseas Territories and former Territories in the Caribbean so terribly impacted by Hurricane Irma.
Thursday, September 14th 2017 - 18:09 UTC
Major speech on Brexit from Theresa May in Florence on 22nd September

Theresa May will travel to Florence to make a speech on Brexit in a move likely to be seen as a bid to break the deadlock in negotiations. The prime minister will give the speech on 22 September, days before Brexit negotiations resume in Brussels.
Thursday, September 14th 2017 - 17:52 UTC
Extra funding (£1bn) promised to Northern Ireland needs Parliament approval

Parliament will need to approve the provision of £1bn of extra funding for Northern Ireland, according to lawyers acting for the government. The money was negotiated by the DUP in June as part of its confidence and supply deal with the Conservatives.
Thursday, September 14th 2017 - 17:44 UTC
EU Withdrawal Bill faces 157 amendments, including from the Tories

British Prime Minister Theresa May is facing a titanic battle over her flagship Brexit bill, after scores of amendments were tabled within hours of it passing its first parliamentary hurdle. A total of 157 amendments to the EU (Withdrawal) Bill, covering 59 pages, were published, including many from senior Conservative Europhiles.
Thursday, September 14th 2017 - 17:41 UTC
Wales will not vote a Bill which means losing influence over areas of its control

The Welsh Government has confirmed it will formally object to Theresa May's plan to transfer EU laws to the UK at the point of Brexit. First Minister Carwyn Jones said the bill “hijacked” powers that “rightfully” belonged in Wales.
Thursday, September 14th 2017 - 17:39 UTC
Scottish government anticipates no consent motion to vote on EU Withdrawal Bill

The Scottish government will not ask Holyrood to give consent to the EU Withdrawal Bill in its current form. Brexit minister Mike Russell told MSPs that the legislation posed a threat to the founding principles of devolution. The Scottish government said there will be no consent motion for MSPs to vote on “at this time”, and it will instead seek to amend the bill.
Thursday, September 14th 2017 - 17:36 UTC
Two thirds of UK young people fearful of post-Brexit prospects

More than two-thirds of young people in the UK have an “international outlook” and many fear for their prospects once the UK leaves the EU, says a report. Ipsos Mori questioned a representative group of almost 2,000 18 to 30-year-olds for a study by cross-party think tank Demos, for the British Council.