Politics

Thursday, February 14th 2019 - 10:15 UTC
“Food emergency” demand march in Argentine cities

Thousands took to the streets in 50 Argentine cities and towns Wednesday demanding that the government declare a “food emergency” and put an end to suffocating price increases. Since President Mauricio Macri came to power in 2015, electricity bills have gone up 210% and gas 300%. The government blamed the increase on the removal of significant subsidies in place under the previous administration.
Thursday, February 14th 2019 - 10:03 UTC
Global commodity trading firms investigated in Switzerland and by the FBI

Pressure is growing on global commodity trading firms with strong ties to Switzerland for their alleged involvement in the “Car Wash” corruption scandal in Brazil. The US Federal Bureau of Investigation is investigating two Vitol executives in the Americas, according to Reuters news agency.
Thursday, February 14th 2019 - 09:30 UTC
Pope refers to Maduro as “Mr.” and recalls previous dialogues accords' were not honored

Pope Francis has sent a letter to Nicolas Maduro responding to a recent invitation to mediate in the Venezuelan political crisis, according to an Italian newspaper. Milan daily newspaper Corriere Della Sera published a report saying that previous peace efforts in Venezuela were “interrupted because what had been agreed in the meetings was not followed by concrete gestures to implement the agreements.”
Thursday, February 14th 2019 - 09:19 UTC
Brexit no-deal would be catastrophic, says Ford and warns it would do “whatever necessary” to protect the business

Ford has said a no-deal Brexit would be catastrophic for the firm's manufacturing operations in the UK and that it would do “whatever is necessary” to protect its business. The comments come after a report the carmaker was stepping up preparations to move production out of the UK.
Thursday, February 14th 2019 - 08:37 UTC
Bolsonaro back in Brasilia: government should get moving again

Brazil's President Jair Bolsonaro left hospital on Wednesday, ending a 17-day hiatus at the helm of Latin America's biggest economy during which several high-profile political issues were put on the backburner.
Wednesday, February 13th 2019 - 09:35 UTC
Growing concerns in Brazil about a power vacuum and cabinet bickering

Brazil is going through a rudderless period as President Jair Bolsonaro lies in a hospital bed following stomach surgery, with high-priority political issues such as pension reform on the backburner until he recovers, analysts and observers say. The limbo, which has lasted more than two weeks, might finally be coming to an end this week, according to reports.
Wednesday, February 13th 2019 - 09:26 UTC
Brazilian minister blasted for ignoring as “irrelevant” an icon of Amazon environmentalist

Brazilian environmental groups on Tuesday blasted President Jair Bolsonaro's environment minister after he dismissed the murdered Amazon rain forest defender Chico Mendes as “irrelevant.”
Wednesday, February 13th 2019 - 09:26 UTC
Trump open to extending the deadline for a trade deal with China

United States president Donald Trump said on Tuesday he would consider extending the deadline for a trade deal with China beyond March first.
Wednesday, February 13th 2019 - 09:15 UTC
Russia ready to facilitate internal dialogue in Venezuela, and tells US “hands off”

Russia said on Tuesday it was ready to facilitate the start of dialogue between Venezuela's government and opposition, but warned the United States against intervening in Caracas' internal affairs.
Wednesday, February 13th 2019 - 09:14 UTC
Brexit negotiations deadline on course to be extended

Prime Minister Theresa May asked lawmakers on Tuesday to hold their nerve over Brexit and give her more time to negotiate a deal acceptable to both the European Union and the British parliament.