Politics

• Tuesday, January 15th 2019 - 08:36 UTC

  Bolsonaro pensions reforms aim to save some US$ 270bn in ten years

  

  Far-right Brazilian president Jair Bolsonaro’s new government wants to save 1 trillion Rreais (some US$ 269.48 billion) over 10 years via pension reforms economists say are vital to undo the growing fiscal deficit, a Brazilian newspaper reported on Monday.

• Tuesday, January 15th 2019 - 06:25 UTC

  Falkland Islands strengthens its air service with new aircraft and avionics

  

  The Falkland Islands government air service, FIGAS, has incorporated on lease a Britten-Norman Islander aircraft for the inter-islands air service during the current summer season. Likewise another new aircraft has been ordered, scheduled to be delivered next July, as well as four new engines for the FIGAS fleet of Briten-Norman Islanders.

• Monday, January 14th 2019 - 18:06 UTC

  Uruguay: “Deep concern” about detention of the Venezuelan Parliament president

  

  The Ministry of Foreign Affairs expressed on Monday, through a statement, its “deep concern” regarding the “serious institutional crisis” and the “acts of intimidation” that led to the arrest and subsequent release of the president of the National Assembly of Venezuela, Juan Guaidó , by officials of the Bolivarian National Intelligence Service (Sebin).

• Monday, January 14th 2019 - 09:14 UTC

  Royal Mint marks 50th anniversary of the revolutionary seven-sided 50 pence piece

  

  A special set of coins celebrating British cultural history has been unveiled to mark the 50th anniversary of the 50 pence piece. The Royal Mint has released a proof set in honour of the “revolutionary” seven-sided coin introduced in 1969.

• Monday, January 14th 2019 - 09:00 UTC

  PM May Monday speech to impede “catastrophic” defeat in Parliament and Labour no confidence vote

  

  British Prime Minister Theresa May is making a last-ditch attempt to persuade MPs to back her Brexit deal as Tuesday's key Commons vote looms closer. She will use a speech on Monday to warn that Parliament is more likely to block Brexit than let the UK leave with no deal.

• Monday, January 14th 2019 - 08:52 UTC

  As US government shutdown breaks record, Senator close to Trump calls for dialogue

  

  A senior US Republican has urged President Donald Trump to temporarily reopen parts of the government shut down for more than three weeks. Senator Lindsey Graham, who is close to Mr Trump, said a limited re-opening of a few weeks would allow talks to resume between Republicans and Democrats.

• Monday, January 14th 2019 - 08:45 UTC

  Italian political militant at large for years extradited from Bolivia/Brazil to Rome

  

  An Italian former communist militant captured in Bolivia is on a plane back to Rome, officials have confirmed. Cesare Battisti, 64, is wanted for four murders in Italy during the 1970s, which he denies committing. He was extradited after being found in Santa Cruz de La Sierra in an international police operation.

• Monday, January 14th 2019 - 06:28 UTC

  EU fishing discards' ban policy became effective this month: challenge for industry

  

  On 1 January, the wasteful practice of throwing fish discards overboard became illegal in waters of the European Union. Scientists believe the policy will lead to more efficient fisheries and eventually boost stocks.

• Monday, January 14th 2019 - 00:50 UTC

  Detention of the Venezuelan Parliament President shows the “rupture” in the Maduro regime

  

  Officials of the Bolivarian Service of National Intelligence (Sebin) retained the deputy Juan Guaidó, President of the National Assembly (AN) and Venezuela’s President-in-charge, when he was going to an open Parliament hall in the north of the country. Minutes later, the parliamentarian was released and attended to the event with a wounded hand and ensuring that the Armed Forces do not want Nicolás Maduro, president considered “de facto” by the Parliament and part of the international community.

• Saturday, January 12th 2019 - 11:12 UTC

  Venezuela in conflict of powers: Maduro took office, but Guaidó shows as president while Venezuelans protest

  

  It seemed sure that, starting January 10, Venezuela would experience high uncertainty. Nicolás Maduro swore in the presidency for the 2019-2015 government period in front of the Supreme Court of Justice (TSJ), when the constitution of that country dictates that it is before Parliament that the president must present the inauguration. Both the international community and the National Assembly (AN), declared in contempt by the Supreme Court, mark Maduro as an usurper. The illegitimacy of the president is discussed globally and Juan Guaidó is recognized as interim president of the Republic.