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MercoPress, en Español

Montevideo, January 1st 2026 - 10:43 UTC

International

  • Monday, April 23rd 2018 - 09:10 UTC

    English Language Days at the UN

    The date traditionally observed as both the birthday and date of death of William Shakespeare

    English Language Day at the UN is celebrated on 23 April, the date traditionally observed as both the birthday and date of death of William Shakespeare. The Day is the result of a 2010 initiative by the Department of Public Information, establishing language days for each of the Organization's six official languages. The purpose of the UN's language days is to celebrate multilingualism and cultural diversity as well as to promote equal use of all six official languages throughout the Organization.

  • Monday, April 23rd 2018 - 09:08 UTC

    EU and Mexico reach new trade agreement: tariff cuts for European cheese and pork

    “Mexico joins Canada, Japan and Singapore as partners willing to work with EU in defending open, fair and rules-based trade,” said EC Jean-Claude Juncker.

    The European Union and Mexico reached an agreement on Saturday on a new free trade deal, a coup for both parties in the face of increased protectionism from the United States under President Donald Trump. Since its plans for a trade alliance with the United States were frozen after Trump's election victory, the EU has focused instead on trying to champion open markets and seal accords with other like-minded countries.

  • Monday, April 23rd 2018 - 09:05 UTC

    Welsh Labour needs a “radical” new leader: party has been in office since the creation of the Assembly

    Carwyn Jones, first minister since 2009, made the shock announcement at the Welsh Labour conference on Saturday

    The next Welsh Labour leader must “shake-up” the party after almost two decades in power, a former Welsh secretary has said. Carwyn Jones is to step down as the party's leader and first minister in the autumn.

  • Monday, April 23rd 2018 - 08:58 UTC

    Customs union debate in Commons on Thursday; Lords voted in support

    Peers voted by 348 to 225 in favor of a plan requiring ministers to report on steps to negotiate a continued union last week.

    The UK government has restated its commitment to leaving the EU's custom union - ahead of a symbolic vote on the issue this week. Last Wednesday, the government suffered defeat on the EU Withdrawal Bill in the House of Lords - when peers voted in favor of staying in the customs union. As a result, MPs will get a chance to debate the proposal on Thursday..

  • Monday, April 23rd 2018 - 08:51 UTC

    Woman power in Germany: the two most important leaders are female

    “Today, at this party congress, we're breaking through the glass ceiling in the SPD,” Ms Nahles told the convention. “And the ceiling will stay open.”

    Germany's junior partner in the ruling coalition, the Social Democrats (SPD), has elected its first female leader in the party's 154-year history. Former Labour Minister Andrea Nahles was chosen to replace Martin Schulz, who resigned after the SPD's worst result since 1933 in last year's polls.

  • Monday, April 23rd 2018 - 08:46 UTC

    UK Project Guardian boosts air defense speed and accuracy

    The new technology is set to replace the current systems operating at RAF bases in the UK and Falkland Islands.

    The Defense Secretary has announced up to £80m will be invested in a new computer system to boost the RAF's speed and accuracy. Known as Project Guardian, the Air Command and Control System will support early detection and rapid response to potential hostile or suspect aircraft.

  • Monday, April 23rd 2018 - 08:41 UTC

    Bank of England likely to raise interest rates twice in 2018 and 2019

    UK interest rates currently stand at 0.5%. Many economists believe that the Bank's Monetary Policy Committee, will vote for a 0.25% rate rise at its May meeting.

    The Bank of England is likely to raise interest rates twice this year and twice in 2019, despite a sluggish economy, says a forecasting body. Bank governor Mark Carney has said a rate rise is “likely” this year, but any increases will be gradual.

  • Monday, April 23rd 2018 - 08:33 UTC

    President Trump expected to visit London in “late summer”

    The Daily Mail report a visit from Mr Trump has been “penciled in” for July, while the Daily Telegraph quoted an unnamed US official saying in the “late summer”.

    United States president Donald Trump is planning on visiting the UK in the summer, it is reported. Mr. Trump has not visited the UK since he was elected to the White House in November 2016, with a potential visit to London to open the US Embassy in January not taking place.

  • Sunday, April 22nd 2018 - 13:08 UTC

    FAAlling standards: Is air travel still safe?

    Picture of the exploded engine after the plane landed safely. (AP)

    Within one week, 60 Minutes broadcasted an exposé on Allegiant Air’s poor safety record – and Southwest Airlines blew an engine at 30,000 feet. Throw in years of Boeing 787 engine troubles- which have affected Norwegian Airlines, Air India and others – and a lot of questions are raised:

  • Saturday, April 21st 2018 - 07:42 UTC

    Irish border remains stumbling block in Brexit negotiations

    UK plans for avoiding a hard border with Ireland were subjected to “a systematic and forensic annihilation”, during a meeting between UK and EU officials. (Pic BBC)

    Fresh doubts have been raised over Theresa May’s hopes for a deal on future relations with Europe, after reports that her proposals for the Irish border have been comprehensively rejected in Brussels. One report of a meeting this week between Britain’s lead negotiator Olly Robbins and senior EU officials suggested that the Prime Minister’s plans for avoiding a hard border with the Republic were subjected to “a systematic and forensic annihilation”.