Stories for 2017

Saturday, July 15th 2017 - 08:31 UTC
US top banker blasts “political gridlock” and says it is “almost embarrassment” to be a US citizen

JP Morgan Chase boss Jamie Dimon condemned the state of US politics on Friday, saying political gridlock is hurting the US economy, and called Americans must “get our act together” or risk limiting themselves to 1.5% to 2% growth.
Saturday, July 15th 2017 - 08:25 UTC
Wales, Scotland warn of a “constitutional crisis” if changes are not made to Brexit bill

High-level Brexit talks between the UK government and devolved administrations are stalled because of the political crisis in Northern Ireland, it has been claimed. Meetings of the joint ministerial committee (JMC), the forum intended to bring together the administrations in Westminster, Edinburgh, Cardiff and Belfast, are understood to be on hold because of the lack of a power-sharing executive in Northern Ireland.
Saturday, July 15th 2017 - 08:12 UTC
S&P downgrades Chile's rating, for the first time since 1990

Credit ratings agency S&P downgraded Chile's long-term foreign currency rating to 'A+' from 'AA-' on Thursday, the country's first downgrade since the 1990s, as weak business confidence and low prices for key export copper have eaten into fiscal revenues.
Saturday, July 15th 2017 - 07:57 UTC
Big banks moving out of London to Dublin, Frankfort, Paris

Barclays is in talks with Irish regulators about expanding its presence in Dublin in the run up to Brexit. It is the latest financial company to indicate how it is repositioning to cope with the UK's exit from the EU.
Saturday, July 15th 2017 - 07:42 UTC
Blair argues Brussels leaders willing to compromise to avoid UK leaving Europe

Tony Blair believes European leaders would be willing to tighten up the free movement of people as a way to avoid Britain leaving the EU. The UK former prime minister suggested the “will of the people” may be changing as the difficulties of Brexit negotiations become apparent and called for a “proper debate” over the different options, including remaining in a reformed EU.
Friday, July 14th 2017 - 08:00 UTC
Lula defies conviction and formally launches his presidential candidacy

The former Brazilian president Lula da Silva responded defiantly to his conviction on corruption charges by formally launching his candidacy for next year’s presidential election.
Friday, July 14th 2017 - 07:54 UTC
Weak pound helps to boost tourists visiting UK by 21.1%, in first quarter

The weakness of sterling was behind a surge in the number of tourists visiting the UK in the first three months of 2017, according to the Office for National Statistics (ONS). The number of holidaymakers coming to the UK rose by 21.1%, although the number of business visitors declined.
Friday, July 14th 2017 - 07:34 UTC
Trump in Paris for Bastille Day parade hints to changes on climate accord

French President Emmanuel Macron said he “respected” Donald Trump's decision to pull out of the Paris climate accord but that France would remain committed. The US president visiting France then hinted that his administration could shift its opinion.
Friday, July 14th 2017 - 07:29 UTC
Temer manages a first victory to avoid trial over graft charges

Brazilian President Michel Temer looked on track on Thursday to avoid trial over graft charges, after a committee of lawmakers recommended the accusations against him be shelved ahead of a congressional vote. If the matter is put aside, Temer would win some respite.
Friday, July 14th 2017 - 07:21 UTC
Venezuelan bishops call for an end to the “inhuman repression” and appeal to the Armed forces

Venezuelan bishops called for an end to the “inhuman repression”, urged the government of Nicolas Maduro to hold elections and to dismantle and censure pro-regime civilian armed groups and also addressed the armed forces recalling they must serve the people, not a regime.