Politics

Wednesday, January 15th 2020 - 09:16 UTC
Benedict trying to distance himself from a controversial book with passages on celibacy

Retired former pope Benedict XVI sought to calm a dispute within the Vatican on Tuesday, claiming his name was erroneously attributed as co-author to a new book with a conservative cardinal.
Wednesday, January 15th 2020 - 09:05 UTC
US-China sign Phase One of trade deal, but some tariffs to remain until completion of Phase Two

The United States will maintain tariffs on Chinese goods until the completion of a second phase of a United States-China trade agreement, US Treasury Secretary Steven Mnuchin said on Tuesday, a day before the two sides are to sign an interim deal.
Wednesday, January 15th 2020 - 09:00 UTC
Leading Chinese auto makers planning to produce vehicles in Mexico

At least three Chinese automakers are preparing to produce vehicles in Mexico or expand existing operations, the Mexican ambassador to China earlier this week, in what would be a boost to one of the Latin American country’s top export industries.
Tuesday, January 14th 2020 - 09:58 UTC
Argentine president said no plans to bail out Buenos Aires province, the richest of the country

Argentine President Alberto Fernandez on Monday night confirmed that the national government had no plan to bail out Buenos Aires province, which has a payment due later this month on hard-currency provincial debt.
Tuesday, January 14th 2020 - 09:55 UTC
Brazil pushing ahead with plan to allow mining on tribal lands

Brazil’s government said it was pushing ahead with plans to allow mining on tribal lands, briefing European diplomats on proposals that have drawn criticism from indigenous advocates in Brazil and overseas.
Tuesday, January 14th 2020 - 09:50 UTC
Chile's oil company ENAP faces sanctions for hydro-fracking in Tierra del Fuego

$The country’s environmental superintendent (the SMA) said ENAP had failed to follow protocols in its permits for so-called “hydro-fracking” activities$

Chile’s environmental regulator on Monday charged state oil company ENAP with improper fracking in Tierra del Fuego, a wild, largely unpopulated region at the southern fringe of the South American continent.
Tuesday, January 14th 2020 - 09:50 UTC
Labour leadership succession race: pragmatic center or a radical “proud Socialist”

Five MPs formally entered the race on Monday to succeed Jeremy Corbyn as leader of Britain's main opposition Labour party, and rebuild their movement after last month's disastrous election.
Tuesday, January 14th 2020 - 09:50 UTC
Money markets react to US decision reversing China as a currency manipulator

The Yen plumbed an eight-month low while the Yuan climbed to its highest level since July on Tuesday after the U.S. Treasury Department reversed its decision in August to designate China as a currency manipulator.
Tuesday, January 14th 2020 - 09:49 UTC
Protests in Iran against ayatollahs, “Clerics get lost”; five nations to discuss legal actions over downed Ukrainian airplane

Protesters took to the streets of Iran to denounce the country’s clerical rulers and riot police deployed to face them in a third day of demonstrations on Monday after authorities acknowledged shooting down a passenger plane by mistake.
Tuesday, January 14th 2020 - 09:33 UTC
Killing Soleimani part of a broader policy of real deterrence to challenges, said Pompeo

United States Secretary of State Mike Pompeo on Monday said Qassem Soleimani was killed as part of a broader strategy of deterring challenges by US foes that also applies to China and Russia, further diluting the assertion that the top Iranian general was struck because he was plotting imminent attacks on US targets.