Politics

Thursday, December 11th 2008 - 20:00 UTC
Republicans oppose US auto industry rescue agreement

The White House and leading Congressional Democrats reached on Wednesday a broad agreement on a 14 billion US dollars rescue package for the “Big Three” US auto manufacturers but Republicans are still holding out.
Thursday, December 11th 2008 - 20:00 UTC
Chavez defers for 2012 his “Socialist” constitution proposal

Venezuela's leader Hugo Chavez announced Wednesday that he would promote a constitutional reform in 2012 for the establishment of a Socialist state. He made the announcement during the Air Force Day celebration.
Thursday, December 11th 2008 - 20:00 UTC
UN admits human rights protection is far from achieved

The international community has not lived up to the vision held in the Universal Declaration of Human Rights, Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon told a ceremony on Wednesday marking the 60th anniversary of the landmark document.
Thursday, December 11th 2008 - 20:00 UTC
Russia/Argentina sign “strategic alliance” and criticize US

Argentine President Cristina Fernandez de Kirchner called for a closer partnership with Russia at Kremlin talks on Wednesday, implying criticism to the United States perceived dominance of world affairs.
Thursday, December 11th 2008 - 20:00 UTC
Germany/UK clash over origin of crisis and Keynes legacy

The German finance minister has launched an outspoken attack on the UK government's plans to help pull Britain out of the economic downturn. In an unusual breach of standard diplomacy, Peer Steinbruck attacked the UK's decision to cut VAT and raise the national debt to record levels.
Thursday, December 11th 2008 - 20:00 UTC
Putin's Russia supports Argentina's Falklands claim

Russia openly supported Argentina's sovereignty claim over the Falkland Islands and called for a peaceful resolution of the dispute with Britain in the joint statement following the meeting at the Kremlin in Moscow of President Cristina Fernandez de Kirchner with counterpart Dmitri Medvedev.
Thursday, December 11th 2008 - 20:00 UTC
Royal Navy cash saving review delays building of carriers

Britain's Royal Navy two new aircraft carriers are likely to be delayed by up to two years following a cash-saving review of Ministry of Defence equipment spending, it was announced this week.
Thursday, December 11th 2008 - 20:00 UTC
UK Minister Gillian Merron on three day visit to Brazil

British Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State for the Foreign Office Gillian Merron is currently in Brazil for a three-day trip with stops in Brasília, São Paulo and Rio de Janeiro, according to a release from the Foreign Office.
Thursday, December 11th 2008 - 20:00 UTC
Insulza admits he wants to become Chilean president

Jose Miguel Insulza, secretary-general of the Organization of American States, OAS, said on Thursday he plans to run for the presidency of his native Chile, where the ruling centre-left coalition is faltering in polls.
Thursday, December 11th 2008 - 20:00 UTC
Tentative agreement for second EU Ireland referendum

The way could be cleared for Ireland to hold a second referendum on the European Union's Lisbon Treaty by October 2009, a draft statement by EU leaders said Thursday.

The statement grants several major concessions to Dublin in an effort to convince Irish voters of the merits of adopting the reforming treaty, which attempts to streamline decision-making within the 27-member bloc.