Politics

Wednesday, February 12th 2020 - 08:36 UTC
Ex Ecuadorean president and several ministers on trial for accepting millions of dollars in bribes

Former President Rafael Correa went on trial before Ecuador’s highest court starting Monday on charges of campaign finance fraud and accepting millions of dollars in bribes.
Tuesday, February 11th 2020 - 08:01 UTC
Trump plans to slash foreign aid and invest funds to counter threats from China and Russia

President Donald Trump will propose cutting billions of dollars in U.S. foreign aid in his fiscal 2021 budget while seeking an increase in funds to counter developing economic threats from China and Russia, senior administration officials revealed.
Tuesday, February 11th 2020 - 07:58 UTC
US government wants Canada and Mexico to help ship coal, avoiding west coast states ban

U.S. Energy Secretary Dan Brouillette said that Canada and Mexico could help export U.S. coal to Asia to get around the blocking of shipments by West Coast states concerned about the impact of the fuel on climate change.
Tuesday, February 11th 2020 - 07:43 UTC
Scotland taking steps to hold a referendum on independence, First Minister Sturgeon tells Brussels

Scotland is already taking steps to hold a referendum on independence and believes it is a matter of when rather than if the country separates from the rest of Britain, Scotland's First Minister said on Monday.
Tuesday, February 11th 2020 - 07:36 UTC
Political turmoil in Germany: Chancellor Merkel's handpicked successor is quitting

Annegret Kramp-Karrenbauer, Chancellor Angela Merkel's protégée and leader of their conservative Christian Democrats (CDU), will not run for chancellor in Germany's federal election next year, a source in her party said on Monday.
Tuesday, February 11th 2020 - 07:26 UTC
Scottish salmon farmers face “huge unnecessary burdens” under Brexit

Salmon farmers face “huge unnecessary burdens” and a loss of market share under UK government plans for Brexit. The chief executive of the Scottish Salmon Producers Organisation (SSPO) said firms were being told to prepare for trade barriers with the EU. The industry is also warning that added red tape could see £9m on costs and delays to the departure of fresh fish.
Monday, February 10th 2020 - 10:34 UTC
Francis expected to receive ex president Lula at the Vatican next Thursday

Pope Francis will receive former Brazilian president Lula de Silva next February 13, according to reports advanced by the country's media and later confirmed by Lula in his twitter account.
Monday, February 10th 2020 - 08:56 UTC
Cristina Fernandez: Argentina will not pay “even half a cent” of its IMF debt until the country exits recession

Argentine Vice President Cristina Fernandez de Kirchner said on Saturday in Havana that the government will not pay “even half a cent” of its debt back to the International Monetary Fund before the country has exited recession.
Monday, February 10th 2020 - 08:55 UTC
France, Brazil's biggest military threat over the next 20 years and an Amazon invasion?

France is expected to be Brazil's biggest military threat over the next 20 years and could invade the Amazon in 2035, according to a secret report published by Brazilian media on Friday. Although the French embassy jokingly “saluted” its “limitless imagination”, the military document is aimed at redefining the country's foreign policy strategy and could add yet another chapter to its troubled relations with France.
Monday, February 10th 2020 - 08:45 UTC
Argentine Catholic Church readies for the anti/abortion battle: rally on Women's Day

The Catholic Church in Argentina has called an anti-abortion rally to coincide with International Women's Day, after centre-left President Alberto Fernandez spoke in favor of decriminalization of the issue.