Politics

Friday, October 13th 2017 - 12:59 UTC
Meirelles optimistic about congressional approval of pensions' reform

Brazilian Finance Minister Henrique Meirelles said on Thursday “there’s a very good chance” that the country’s proposed pension reform bill will be approved by the end of the year. Addressing a question-and-answer session at an Institute for International Finance meeting in Washington Meirelles said that it would be simpler to pass the bill this year than next year because of political challenges that could come with Brazil’s upcoming presidential election in October 2018.
Friday, October 13th 2017 - 12:33 UTC
EU chief negotiator says Brexit talks are stuck in a state of deadlock

The European Union's chief negotiator on Brexit talks says negotiations with the United Kingdom are stuck in a state of deadlock. The EU wants to know what divorce bill Britain is prepared to pay before talks go any further. British officials, on the other hand, want to begin trade talks now, before they commit billions.
Friday, October 13th 2017 - 12:11 UTC
Israel follows the US and will pull out of “highly politicized” UNESCO

Israel has said it will join the US in pulling out of the UN's cultural organization Unesco, after US officials cited “anti-Israel bias”. Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu praised the US decision as “brave and moral,” a statement said.
Thursday, October 12th 2017 - 12:16 UTC
Bolivians in the streets reject president Morales attempt to a fourth running reelection

Thousands of Bolivians took to the streets to protest against President Evo Morales’ attempt to get re-elected despite the fact that the constitution does not allow for a fourth consecutive term. The demonstrations that took place in the country’s nine regional capitals warned President Morales that the people of Bolivia will not allow him to participate in any more elections.
Thursday, October 12th 2017 - 12:04 UTC
Obama officials treated “special relationship with Britain as a joke” and liked to refer to Falklands as Malvinas

The so-called special relationship between the United States and United Kingdom was regarded as a joke by Obama administration officials, a former government aide has said. Jeremy Shapiro, who served as an adviser in the US state department under Barack Obama, said the relationship was “unrequited.”
Thursday, October 12th 2017 - 11:57 UTC
UK and Europe closely watching Venezuelan State Governors' elections

British Minister Sir Alan Duncan expressed his concern at the deteriorating situation in Venezuela during a meeting in London on Wednesday with Venezuelan foreign minister Jorge Arreaza in London. Sir Duncan said that together with Europeans partners, they are closely watching the management of the 15 October Venezuelan State Governors’ elections closely.
Thursday, October 12th 2017 - 11:50 UTC
PM May: UK will spend whatever necessary to prepare for Brexit, including a no-deal scenario

The British government will spend whatever is necessary to make sure the UK is ready for Brexit, Downing Street has said. A No 10 spokesman said £250m of new money had been allocated this year to prepare for leaving the EU, “including the possibility of a no-deal scenario.”
Thursday, October 12th 2017 - 11:46 UTC
Royals in transition: Prince Charles will take the Queen's place at the Cenotaph on Remembrance Sunday

The Queen will not lay a wreath at the Cenotaph this year as part of the annual Remembrance Sunday ceremony. She will watch the event on 12 November in Whitehall from the balcony of the Foreign Office with Prince Philip.
Thursday, October 12th 2017 - 11:39 UTC
Five days countdown for Catalonia as Spain readies an impressive national unity day celebration

Spain is preparing to celebrate its National Day, 12th October, amid a continuing political crisis sparked by Catalonia's disputed independence referendum. The public display of unity comes a day after PM Mariano Rajoy told parliament the country was facing the most serious threat to its 40-year-old democracy.
Wednesday, October 11th 2017 - 15:56 UTC
Brazilian Congress seems prepared to again save Temer from Justice charges

A Brazilian congressional report recommended on Tuesday that President Michel Temer should not face trial for obstruction of justice and membership in a criminal organization, arguing that the charges against him were unfounded.