Stories for July 2018

Tuesday, July 31st 2018 - 07:31 UTC
Trump ready to meet Iran leaders “anytime they want” and “no preconditions”

United States president Donald Trump declared on Monday that he would meet Iran's leaders “anytime they want,” an invitation for face-to-face dialogue with a country he had appeared to threaten with war only days before and an affirmation of Trump's faith in his brand of personal diplomacy.
Tuesday, July 31st 2018 - 07:20 UTC
“Rethink devolution” as a result of Brexit, Westminster and Scotland coincide

The UK government “must rethink devolution” as a result of Brexit, a group of MPs have recommended. The process of leaving the EU has sparked a series of clashes between UK government ministers and their counterparts in Scotland and Wales.
Tuesday, July 31st 2018 - 07:00 UTC
Venezuela scarce gasoline will be sold only to the politically loyal

Venezuela is taking steps to direct dwindling motor fuel to politically loyal vehicle owners. President Nicolas Maduro ordered a national census on 3-5 August to determine how many vehicle owners possess a homeland identity card, a document created in first quarter 2017 to strengthen the government's social and political surveillance capabilities.
Tuesday, July 31st 2018 - 06:52 UTC
UK embassy in Guatemala holds forum on Illegal Wildlife Trade

The British Embassy in Guatemala hosted a forum bringing together local partners in the fight against the Illegal Wildlife Trade (IWT). Over the past decade, IWT has become a serious criminal industry fuelled by corruption, which has damaged economic growth and sustainable development, undermined good governance and the rule of law across the world, including here in Guatemala.
Monday, July 30th 2018 - 14:29 UTC
“Immediate beginning” of trade negotiations with EU, announces Trump's chief economic advisor

President Trump's chief economic adviser Larry Kudlow says that trade negotiations with the European Union are set to begin “immediately” following a meeting between Mr. Trump and European Commission President Jean-Claude Juncker. The two agreed to work toward “zero” tariffs and hold off on additional tariffs at the meeting at the White House on Thursday.
Monday, July 30th 2018 - 12:38 UTC
Thomas Cook will stop selling tickets for Sea World and Loro Parque

Global tour giant Thomas Cook says it will stop selling tickets to “any animal attractions that keep orcas in captivity”. That means marine parks like Sea World in Florida and Loro Parque in Tenerife will be dropped next year.
Monday, July 30th 2018 - 12:23 UTC
The other side of Nicaragua's instability: economic growth could drop from 4.9% to 1%.

Nicaragua's protracted political crisis, which has lasted well over three months, is impairing economic growth, according to the central bank. Central bank chief Ovidio Reyes said the initial 4.9% growth forecast in gross domestic product (GDP) for 2018 could fall as low as 1% if ongoing protests continue to disrupt daily life.
Monday, July 30th 2018 - 09:49 UTC
US congress members denounce “assault on democracy and human rights in Brazil”

In a letter to Brazilian Ambassador in Washington Sergio Silva do Amaral, 29 members of the United States Congress voiced their concerns about “an intensifying assault on democracy and human rights in Brazil,” particularly the incarceration of former president Lula da Silva and the assassination of Rio de Janeiro city councilor Marielle Franco.
Monday, July 30th 2018 - 09:44 UTC
Airlines yield to Beijing and eliminate reference to Taiwan as independent

The Chinese Foreign Ministry said that the move by the three biggest US airlines to change how they refer to Taiwan on their booking websites was a “positive development”.
Monday, July 30th 2018 - 07:01 UTC
UK cabinet on parliamentary recess: Brexiteers choose holidays in UK and US, while Remainers prefer EU countries

British Prime Minister Theresa May has begun a week-long walking holiday in Italy. The Conservative leader is fresh from her key Brexit proposal being rejected by the EU on Thursday.