Italy is just three plausible steps away from crashing out of the Eurozone September 12, 2016 “Never ask a question if you don’t know the answer” – Common courtroom adage "Plausible threat” is a term of art in political risk analysis, meaning the peril being discussed can come about through entirely possible events. Martians disrupting France’s upcoming presidential election would not be a plausible threat (fun though it would be). On the [...]
US Presidential Election 2016: Hillary Clinton confirmed as having pneumonia after leaving 9/11 event September 11, 2016 Hillary Clinton was diagnosed with pneumonia last week, her doctor revealed tonight after the presidential candidate was forced to leave a 9/11 memorial service early because she felt unwell. The Democrat appeared to stumble as she was escorted from the service in New York by her security team and led to her daughter's apartment, close to the ceremony. She emerged [...]
Alexis Tsipras attacks troika divisions for threatening Greek recovery September 11, 2016 Greek prime minister Alexis Tsipras has attacked the arguments over Greece's bailout programme between the International Monetary Fund (IMF) and European Union for stifling the country's recovery. Speaking in Thessaloniki this morning, Tsipras said: "What is creating conditions of delay in regaining trust of markets and investors … is the constant clash and disagreement between the IMF and [...]
Syria crisis: US and Russia reach truce deal and plan to tackle Isis with joint airstrikes September 10, 2016 The US and Russia have reached a breakthrough deal on Syria's peace process that will begin with a nationwide "cessation of hostilities" from sundown on Monday. The two countries, who have been at odds with one another over the five-year conflict and backed opposite sides, have agreed to launch coordinated air strikes against Isis and other [...]
Prudential staff to strike over outsourcing jobs to India September 9, 2016 Prudential employees based in Reading are set to stage two 24-hour strikes over the next two weeks, in protest at plans to offshore an estimated 82 jobs dealing with annuities to India. Staff, who are members of the Unite union, will strike for 24 hours from 00.01 on Friday 16 September over the proposal to offshore back office [...]
North Korea shakes global community with fifth nuclear test September 9, 2016 North Korea has claimed to have successfully carried out its fifth nuclear test – just hours after an earthquake was detected near its nuclear test site. The South Korean President Park Geun-hye has slammed the test, saying the act of "self-destruction" presented a serious challenge for the global community, and showed North Korea's "maniacal recklessness". Park said: [...]
“What is Aleppo?” Gary Johnson’s Syria gaffe was bad but also emphasised his integrity September 8, 2016 The presidential campaign of Gary Johnson, candidate for the US Libertarian party, received one of its biggest boosts in this election cycle on Wednesday evening – a tweet from the 2012 Republican nominee Mitt Romney, expressing hope that the Johnson ticket would be allowed to take part in the upcoming presidential debates. The following morning, [...]
After suffering military defeats and the loss of several leaders, is this the beginning of the end for Islamic State? September 8, 2016 Fawaz A Gerges, author of Isis: A History and professor at the LSE, says Yes. There is increasing evidence that Isis is on the defensive – bleeding, losing territories in Iraq and Syria, leaders, field commanders and thousands of combatants. Its mini-financial empire is also being systemically dismantled by the US-led coalition, exacting a heavy toll [...]
The European Parliament has appointed Guy Verhofstadt as its representative on Brexit matters September 8, 2016 Influential MEP Guy Verhofstadt has been appointed as the European Parliament's (EP) point man for Brexit negotiations. Verhofstadt will keep the Conference of Presidents (comprising the EP president and group leaders) fully informed of developments and will help prepare the EP position in the negotiations, in close consultation with the Conference of Presidents. The former Belgian Prime Minister said [...]
UK sets up new trade group with India to prepare for future deal following Brexit September 8, 2016 Britain has set up a new working group with India to help prepare for possible trade deals after Brexit has completed. The UK can't agree trade deals with other countries until it has formally exited the EU, a process that could take years. However, the government has said that won't stop it from preparing for the [...]