Politics

• Tuesday, July 17th 2018 - 09:49 UTC

  US Congress furious after Trump sides with Putin, saying “no Russian meddling in US elections”

  

  There has been a barrage of criticism in the United States after President Donald Trump defended Russia over claims of interference in the 2016 elections. At a summit with Russian President Vladimir Putin in Finland, on Monday, Trump contradicted US intelligence agencies, saying Russia had no reason to meddle.

• Tuesday, July 17th 2018 - 09:49 UTC

  Nicaragua: UN Secretary General deplores and condemns violence against civilians

  

  United Nations Secretary-General António Guterres on Monday deplored and condemned the ongoing violence against civilians, including against students, in Nicaragua.Speaking on behalf of Mr. Guterres at the UN Headquarters, Deputy Spokesman Farhan Haq told reporters that “the use of lethal force is not only unacceptable but is also in itself an obstacle to obtaining a political solution to the current crisis”.

• Tuesday, July 17th 2018 - 09:41 UTC

  Brexit debate: government manages to save Customs Bill, and on Tuesday must defend the Trade Bill

  

  The British government has narrowly avoided a defeat on its Customs Bill after agreeing to Brexiteers' demands to change its wording. It twice survived by just three votes after a backlash from pro-EU Tories who accused Theresa May of “caving in” to the party's Eurosceptic MPs.

• Tuesday, July 17th 2018 - 09:35 UTC

  Cuban new constitution expected to support foreign investment, free markets and private property

  

  Cuba is planning a series of potentially far-reaching changes, with a new constitution set to recognise the free market and private property, while dividing political powers between a president and a prime minister.

• Tuesday, July 17th 2018 - 09:30 UTC

  Beijing/Washington trade dispute: China exports and surplus grow at solid pace

  

  China’s trade surplus with the United States swelled to a record in June as its overall exports grew at a solid pace, a result that could further inflame a bitter trade dispute with Washington.

• Tuesday, July 17th 2018 - 09:24 UTC

  China's growth declines in second quarter; expanding government debt trims Beijing's credit rating

  

  China's economic growth slowed in the quarter ending in June, adding to challenges for Beijing amid a mounting tariff battle with Washington. The world's second-largest economy expanded by 6.7%, down from the previous quarter's 6.8%, the government reported Monday.

• Tuesday, July 17th 2018 - 08:46 UTC

  US launches five dispute actions in WTO challenging China, EU, Canada, Mexico and Turkey

  

  The United States launched five separate World Trade Organization dispute actions on Monday challenging retaliatory tariffs imposed by China, the European Union, Canada, Mexico and Turkey following U.S. duties on steel and aluminum. The retaliatory tariffs on up to a combined US$28.5 billion worth of U.S. exports are illegal under WTO rules, U.S. Trade Representative Robert Lighthizer said in a statement.

• Monday, July 16th 2018 - 08:29 UTC

  Iconic Taj Mahal: “either you demolish it or you restores it” India's Justices tell government

  

  India’s most famous landmark, Taj Mahal, is being threatened with demolition and shut down if the government continues to fail to address its worrying changing color, the country’s top court has warned.

• Monday, July 16th 2018 - 08:20 UTC

  Lula the only hope for millions of Brazilians, says ex president Dilma Rousseff

  

  Brazil's ex-President Lula da Silva, who is serving a 12-year-one-month jail term for alleged corruption, represents “hope” for millions of Brazilians, former leader Dilma Rousseff said on Sunday. Rousseff succeeded Lula as president and belongs to the same left-leaning Workers' Party (PT), which named Lula its presidential candidate in upcoming Oct. 7 elections, despite his legal woes.

• Monday, July 16th 2018 - 08:13 UTC

  Record direct investment in Chile in the first four months of 2018

  

  Foreign direct investment in Chile reached US$ 8.48 billion in four months January to April, its highest level since records began 15 years ago, thanks to a new law designed to attract investment, the government investment agency stated.