Politics

Thursday, May 22nd 2014 - 01:07 UTC
FIFA demands second test for the recently opened Sao Paulo stadium

FIFA has demanded Brazil’s World Cup organizers stage one final test event at the Sao Paulo stadium staging the June 12 opener. The Brazilian league schedule has been re-jigged to accommodate Corinthians match against Brazilian champions Cruzeiro at the 68,000-seat Itaquerao, which is still unfinished, on June first.
Thursday, May 22nd 2014 - 00:46 UTC
Russia's Weakened Hand Could Pay Off For Beijing In Major Gas Deal

A major gas deal between Russia and China was finally sealed this week when Russian President Vladimir Putin was on a two day visit to China on May 20-21 and met with President Xi Jinping. In the lead up to Putin's arrival, the two sides have been working on putting the finishing touches on a 30-year contract for a gas deal a decade in the making, and Russian officials have suggested that the deal will be completed by Putin's arrival.
Thursday, May 22nd 2014 - 00:40 UTC
Bernanke now makes more money speaking to bankers than in one year as Fed chairman

The former chairman of the Federal Reserve Ben Bernanke, who during eight years piloted the world’s largest economy through the worst financial and economic crisis since the Depression of last century, is now reaping the fruits of his success.
Thursday, May 22nd 2014 - 00:35 UTC
OAS deploys observers in Colombia for Sunday’s presidential election

Former President of Costa Rica, José María Figueres, has begun the deployment of 64 international experts and observers in Colombia ahead of the country’s presidential election on Sunday May 25.
Thursday, May 22nd 2014 - 00:31 UTC
Fed minutes confirm a retreat from easy monetary policy; concerns regarding job creation

Federal Reserve policymakers last month began laying groundwork for an eventual retreat from easy monetary policy with a discussion of how to best control interest rates as they remove trillions of dollars from the financial system.
Wednesday, May 21st 2014 - 07:22 UTC
Unasur mediators leave Venezuela unable to re-launch peace negotiations

Mediators from Unasur (Union of South American Nations) urged Venezuela's government and opposition back to the negotiating table after failing to revive talks to stem months of protests in the polarized nation.
Wednesday, May 21st 2014 - 07:15 UTC
Rousseff ‘guarantees’ Brazil’s airports will be prepared to welcome World Cup visitors

President Dilma Rousseff has “guaranteed” Brazil's airports will be prepared to welcome visitors for the World Cup, which starts on June 12 in São Paulo. Rousseff made the comments on her weekly ''Breakfast with the President'' national radio program following criticism that a number of airports which were promised to be completed for the key football tournament remain unfinished.
Wednesday, May 21st 2014 - 06:40 UTC
Anti-EU and protest parties expected to take 25% of seats in parliament election

The centre right has extended its lead over the centre left in the race for dominance in the European Parliament elections this week, a poll showed, but both sides are expected to fiercely contest the presidency of the European Commission.
Wednesday, May 21st 2014 - 06:23 UTC
China protests US claims of cyber spying and warns of ‘harmed relations’

China has summoned the US ambassador who had accused five Chinese military officers of hacking into American companies to steal trade secrets, warning Washington it could take further action, the foreign ministry has said.
Wednesday, May 21st 2014 - 06:05 UTC
Gibraltar plans to open office in Brussels and contract US law firm in Washington

The Gibraltar Government is strengthening its lobbying presence in Brussels and Washington in order to ensure that the profile of Gibraltar is heightened at a political level. The Government plans to expand its representation in Brussels along similar lines to the Gibraltar London office.