Politics

Wednesday, February 14th 2018 - 09:48 UTC
PDVSA bonds should be traded as in default, recommends EMTA

Emerging markets trade group EMTA has recommended that bonds issued by Venezuela’s state-owned oil firm PDVSA should be traded flat or without accrued interest, the way bonds in default are typically traded.
Wednesday, February 14th 2018 - 09:36 UTC
Five ex PDVSA officials on trial in Houston for US$ 1 billion graft probe

U.S. prosecutors announced charges against five former Venezuelan officials accused of soliciting bribes in exchange for helping vendors win favorable treatment from state oil company PDVSA, the latest case to stem from a US$1 billion graft probe.
Wednesday, February 14th 2018 - 09:28 UTC
“Lima Group” blasts Maduro's call for elections without an agreement with the opposition

The “Lima Group” of Latin American nations plus Canada on Tuesday criticized the Venezuelan government’s decision to hold a presidential election on April 22 without reaching an agreement with an opposition coalition.
Wednesday, February 14th 2018 - 09:22 UTC
South African ruling party recalls president Zuma to step down

South Africa's ruling ANC party on Tuesday “recalled” scandal-tainted President Jacob Zuma from office but set no deadline for him to step down, pitching the country into further uncertainty. ANC secretary-general Ace Magashule told reporters that Zuma had “agreed in principle to resign” and had proposed leaving in three to six months -- a delay that the party rejected.
Wednesday, February 14th 2018 - 09:19 UTC
Israel's Netanyahu defiant says he will complete his term and be re-elected in 2019

In an impassioned 10-minute rebuttal to police recommendations to indict him on bribery and breach of trust charges, Israel Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu told the nation on Tuesday night that not only will this government complete its term, but he will again be re-elected in 2019.
Wednesday, February 14th 2018 - 09:04 UTC
Another blow for Oxfam: chairman Fuentes arrested for his time as Guatemala finance minister

The chairman of the charity Oxfam International, Juan Alberto Fuentes, has been arrested in Guatemala. Fuentes was detained as part of an investigation into a corruption scandal dating back to his time as Guatemala's finance minister, but no charges have been brought so far.
Wednesday, February 14th 2018 - 07:10 UTC
The Wall Street Journal: “Inflation stalks Macri in Argentina”

The Wall Street Journal has published a piece on the political situation of Argentine president Mauricio Macri, battling inflation, an undelivered electoral pledge, and allegedly very much aware of a long standing spell: no non Peronist president has been able to complete the mandate for which he was elected.
Tuesday, February 13th 2018 - 09:16 UTC
Oxfam members sexual misconduct in Haiti imperil UK government funding

The deputy head of Oxfam has resigned over what she said was the British charity's failure to adequately respond to past allegations of sexual misconduct by some of its staff in Haiti and Chad.
Tuesday, February 13th 2018 - 08:18 UTC
Barclays Bank PLC charged of “unlawful financial assistance” by UK's serious fraud office

The United Kingdom Serious Fraud Office (SFO) has charged Barclays Bank PLC with “unlawful financial assistance” related to billions of pounds raised from Qatar in 2008. The same charges were brought against Barclays PLC in June last year.
Tuesday, February 13th 2018 - 08:01 UTC
UK OTs address oceans and plastic pollution at Council of Environment Ministers

Ministers and senior officials from UK Overseas Territories (OTs) and Crown Dependencies (CDs) travelled to the Isle of Man last week to discuss the future of the environment in their jurisdictions. This was the third Council of Environment Ministers of UK Overseas Territories and Crown Dependencies and took place in Douglas, on 6th and 7th February. Previous meetings took place in Gibraltar in 2015 and continued in Alderney in 2017.