Politics

• Friday, August 10th 2018 - 06:11 UTC

  Brazilian round of presidential candidates debate takes off...without Lula da Silva

  

  Brazil is staging its first presidential election debate with eight of the crowded field locking horns but also one notable absentee – jailed frontrunner ex president Lula da Silva. Thirteen candidates have officially entered the election, which starts with a first round October 7 and is almost sure to go to a run-off two weeks later.

• Thursday, August 9th 2018 - 13:14 UTC

  Justice denies request to close a northern state border with Venezuela

  

  A judge on the Supreme Federal Court of Brazil denied a request by the regional government of Roraima to close the nation’s border with Venezuela. Roraima is Brazil’s northernmost state and its authorities claimed the persistent influx of Venezuelan immigrants has overburdened the state’s public services.

• Thursday, August 9th 2018 - 12:50 UTC

  Ex Chilean president Bachelet chosen as next UN human rights chief

  

  U.N. Secretary-General Antonio Guterres has chosen former Chilean President Michelle Bachelet to be the world body’s new human rights chief, the United Nations said on Wednesday. The 193-member U.N. General Assembly is due to meet on Friday to approve Bachelet’s appointment.

• Thursday, August 9th 2018 - 12:08 UTC

  Allies commemorate the centenary of the Battle of Amiens in France

  

  Members of the Armed Forces have led the UK and its allies in commemorating the centenary of the Battle of Amiens at an event in France on Wednesday. The Battle of Amiens was a major engagement in the First World War.

• Thursday, August 9th 2018 - 11:38 UTC

  Argentina: abortion bill rejected but reforms could be introduced to the Criminal Code

  

  The Argentine Senate as was anticipated finally rejected a divisive bill that would have legalized elective abortion for pregnancies of up to 14 weeks. Thirty-eight senators voted against the legislation on Thursday following a debate that lasted more than 15 hours.

• Thursday, August 9th 2018 - 08:15 UTC

  Cuban private farmers given more incentives to increase production

  

  Cuba said this week it was doubling the amount of land it granted would-be farmers and the lengths of their leases in an effort to increase stagnating agricultural output. The state owns 80% of the land and leases most of that to farmers and cooperatives. The remainder is owned by some 400,000 private family farmers and their cooperatives.

• Thursday, August 9th 2018 - 07:46 UTC

  Scotland challenges Mrs. May to set out a “Plan B” for Brexit

  

  Prime Minister Theresa May has been challenged to set out a “plan B” for Brexit during talks with Scottish First Minister Nicola Sturgeon in Edinburgh. Mrs. May was in Scotland to mark the signing of a “city deal” investment package for the south east region.

• Thursday, August 9th 2018 - 06:55 UTC

  UK law enforcement agencies express concern over a “no-deal Brexit”

  

  A no-deal Brexit poses a risk to the public because the UK would lose access to EU-wide security powers and databases, police leaders have warned. Police and crime commissioners say law enforcement agencies “face a significant loss of operational capacity” if the arrangements stop.

• Thursday, August 9th 2018 - 06:38 UTC

  Pound falls below US$ 1.29 for the first time in almost a year

  

  The pound has fallen below US$1.29 for the first time in almost a year on continuing worries Britain will leave the EU without a trade deal. Sterling also hit a nine-month low against the euro, and was down against the yen and Swiss franc.

• Wednesday, August 8th 2018 - 10:08 UTC

  EU’s Blocking Statute enters in force to protect EU companies doing business with Iran

  

  European foreign affairs chiefs have pledged to protect firms against the impact of US sanctions for doing business with Iran. An EU “blocking statute” took effect on Tuesday to nullify US legal action against European firms in connection with Iran.