Politics

• Monday, August 17th 2009 - 09:20 UTC

  British Virgin Islands and Cayman join “white list” of tax standards

  

  The British Virgin Islands and the Cayman islands have joined the global “white list” of countries using internationally recognised tax standards, the Organisation for Economic Cooperation and Development said last Friday.

• Monday, August 17th 2009 - 08:34 UTC

  Afghan death toll mounts and UK government suggests possible scaling down

  

  Britain’s Defence secretary Bob Ainsworth has suggested that the UK's role in Afghanistan could be scaled down over the next 12 months, as the death toll passed the 200 mark. Ainsworth said that reaching the sad milestone, after the 204th soldier was killed, was “grim”.

• Monday, August 17th 2009 - 08:05 UTC

  UK to intervene in support of Gibraltar in waters-dispute with Spain

  

  The British Government has confirmed that it has formally requested leave to join Gibraltar’s action in the European Court of Justice, Luxembourg regarding Madrid’s designation of Gibraltar British Territorial Waters as under Spain.

• Monday, August 17th 2009 - 07:30 UTC

  Miliband “legitimate terrorism” comment triggers controversy

  

  British opposition Tories have criticised Foreign Secretary David Miliband for comments that they say could be seen to “legitimise terrorism”. Mr Miliband told the BBC violent action or terrorism may be justifiable in some cases, in a tribute to Joe Slovo, a South African anti-apartheid activist.

• Monday, August 17th 2009 - 07:24 UTC

  Easter Islanders want to limit resident population

  

  The airport of Easter Island was again occupied by protesting locals forcing to cancel flights and causing considerable delay in the rest of the traffic. This is not the first time locals take over the Mataveri terminal in Rapa Nui and for the same reason: to protest the growing number of people who are arriving to become permanent residents.

• Saturday, August 15th 2009 - 13:12 UTC

  US Navy huge multi-purpose vessel calls in Punta Arenas

  

  USS Makin Island one of the latest built and largest US Navy multi-purpose amphibious assault ship called in Punta Arenas, in the extreme south of Chile after having sailed through the Magellan Strait.

• Saturday, August 15th 2009 - 12:34 UTC

  UK direct rule on Turks and Caicos Islands following corruption probe

  

  The UK has imposed direct rule on the Turks and Caicos Islands after an inquiry found evidence of government corruption and incompetence. The administration of the UK Overseas Territory in the Caribbean has been suspended for up to two years and power transferred to the UK-appointed governor. Politicians are accused of selling crown land for personal gain.

• Saturday, August 15th 2009 - 12:33 UTC

  US libertarian think-tank supports legalizing undocumented workers

  

  A new study from the libertarian CATO Institute concludes that legalizing the more than eight million undocumented workers in the United States would have significant economic benefits for the country, while simply enhancing border enforcement and applying restrictive immigration laws would actually hurt the US economically.

• Saturday, August 15th 2009 - 11:17 UTC

  Colombia completes military deal with US and invites Brazil to join

  

  Colombia would like to increase its military ties with Brazil and other South American countries, President Alvaro Uribe said on Friday after the Foreign Affairs ministry announced it had completed talks with Washington on allowing US troops to use seven Colombian military bases.

• Saturday, August 15th 2009 - 11:13 UTC

  Colombian church confirms talks with FARC rebel leaders

  

  Colombian Cardinal Dario Castrillon confirmed this week that he has talked with the leader of Colombia’s largest rebel group as part of the church’s hierarchy’s effort to mediate an end to the decades-long civil war.