Politics

Monday, February 9th 2009 - 20:00 UTC
Foreign Office under financial strain by weak sterling

The collapse in the value of the British pound will put the Foreign Office (FCO) under “serious financial pressures” in the coming year, a parliamentary report warned.
Monday, February 9th 2009 - 20:00 UTC
Bilateral trade talks between EU and each Andean country

Delegates from Colombia, Ecuador and Peru begin Monday in Bogotá the first round of negotiations to reach a trade agreement with the European Union which should be completed by mid year.
Monday, February 9th 2009 - 20:00 UTC
Aerolineas takeover shadows Cristina K visit to Spain

Argentine President Cristina Fernandez de Kirchner began on Monday her first official visit to Spain amid expectations that she would try to reduce tension over the expropriation of the airline Aerolineas Argentinas from the Spanish tourism group Marsans.
Monday, February 9th 2009 - 20:00 UTC
WTO debate to assess protectionism and trade barriers

World Trade Organisation (WTO) members met on Monday to assess how far the financial crisis has encouraged protectionism. Diplomats representing rich and poor countries discussed WTO Director-General Pascal Lamy's January report showing countries had ignored the Group of 20 nations' plea in November against raising trade barriers.
Monday, February 9th 2009 - 20:00 UTC
Bolivia, Venezuela, South Africa need visas to enter UK

Bolivia and Venezuelans, South Africans and citizens from Lesotho and Swaziland visiting the United Kingdom will need a visa, under new rules issued by the Home Office. The named countries failed a test of the threat posed by their citizens in terms of security, immigration and crime.
Monday, February 9th 2009 - 19:59 UTC
Police agents accused of attack on Venezuelan synagogue

Seven Venezuelan police agents and four civilians have been arrested in connection with an attack on a synagogue, according to reports in the Caracas press. President Hugo Chavez, whom Jewish groups accuse of encouraging anti-Semitism, referred to the arrests and said the attack was led by a police officer who had worked closely with the rabbi at the synagogue.
Sunday, February 8th 2009 - 20:00 UTC
Bolivia's Morales travels to Russia for energy deal

Bolivian President Evo Morales is scheduled to visit Russia February 16 to sign formal agreements enabling Russia's state-run OAO Gazprom to invest in Bolivia's natural gas industry.
Sunday, February 8th 2009 - 20:00 UTC
Ecuador President Correa Expels US Embassy Attache

Ecuador's left-wing president has ordered the expulsion of a senior US diplomat, accusing him of suspending aid to Ecuador's anti-drugs programme.
Sunday, February 8th 2009 - 20:00 UTC
Tories deny any possibility of Scottish independence

United Kingdom Conservative leader David Cameron has said he would do everything in his power to prevent Scottish independence if he becomes Prime Minister. Mr Cameron's assertion comes days after his party backed the SNP's (Scottish National Party) budget north of the border.
Sunday, February 8th 2009 - 20:00 UTC
Warning to British “nationalized” banks on bonus rewards

British Chancellor Alistair Darling has told RBS (Royal Bank of Scotland) failure should not be rewarded with huge bonuses, but says he cannot rule out pay-outs for some staff.