John Kerry has warned that any prolonged shutdown of the government could affect the US internationally. Speaking at the APEC forum in Indonesia, the US Secretary of State said any impact was “momentary” and Washington’s commitment to Asia was “undiminished”. President Barack Obama cancelled his Asia visit because of the shutdown. The US government closed… Continue reading John Kerry: Prolonged shutdown could affect US internationally
Category: Economy & Politics
Economy and Politics news articles.
US shutdown postpones EU free trade pact negotiations
US and EU negotiations on a sweeping free trade pact have been postponed because of a partial government shutdown in America. US officials had been due in Brussels next week to discuss the deal aimed at boosting bilateral ties. President Barack Obama earlier cancelled his trip to Asia because of the shutdown. The US government… Continue reading US shutdown postpones EU free trade pact negotiations
Italian Senate cross-party panel recommends Silvio Berlusconi’s expulsion
A cross-party panel of the Italian Senate has recommended former PM Silvio Berlusconi’s expulsion from the chamber over his conviction for tax fraud. The call to expel Silvio Berlusconi who dominated politics for nearly two decades in Italy is expected to go before the Senate within three weeks. Silvio Berlusconi threatened to topple the coalition… Continue reading Italian Senate cross-party panel recommends Silvio Berlusconi’s expulsion
Anti-Amazon bill approved in France
A bill to support independent bookstores against competition from online retailers has been approved in France. The new laws will restrict companies like Amazon from combining offers of 5% discounts with free deliveries. France’s 3,000 independent bookshops have complained that they can’t compete with the cut-price offers online. The opposition right-wing party UMP proposed the… Continue reading Anti-Amazon bill approved in France
Barack Obama warns of US default danger amid government shutdown
President Barack Obama has warned that Wall Street should be concerned that a conservative faction of Republicans is willing to allow the country to default on its debt. The US government has begun a partial shutdown after Congress failed to agree a budget and will run out of cash on October 17 unless its debt… Continue reading Barack Obama warns of US default danger amid government shutdown
US shutdown could damage spy agencies
Senior intelligence officials have warned the government shutdown “seriously damages” spy agencies’ ability to protect the US. Director of National Intelligence James Clapper told a Senate panel that an estimated 70% of intelligence workers had been placed on unpaid leave. Also, the head of the US electronic spy agency said morale had been devastated. The… Continue reading US shutdown could damage spy agencies
Italy: Enrico Letta wins confidence vote after Silvio Berlusconi last-minute U-turn
Italy’s Prime Minister Enrico Letta has won a confidence vote after a last-minute U-turn by former PM Silvio Berlusconi. Silvio Berlusconi had initially promised to topple the government by withdrawing his party’s support – a move which prompted the Senate vote. But he backed down when it became clear that several of his senators would… Continue reading Italy: Enrico Letta wins confidence vote after Silvio Berlusconi last-minute U-turn
Nikos Michaloliakos in court over organizing a criminal group charges
Leader of Greece’s far-right Golden Dawn party Nikos Michaloliakos is to appear in court to answer charges of organizing a criminal group. Nikos Michaloliakos was one of six MPs arrested over the weekend amid outrage over the recent murder of an anti-racist musician. Three of the detained MPs have been freed pending trial while a… Continue reading Nikos Michaloliakos in court over organizing a criminal group charges
Italy: Enrico Letta’s government in crucial vote of confidence
Italian PM Enrico Letta has been addressing parliament ahead of a crucial vote of confidence in his governing coalition. Enrico Letta told the Senate the collapse of his government could be fatal for the country. The vote was called after former PM Silvio Berlusconi ordered ministers in his centre-right People of Freedom party (PDL) to… Continue reading Italy: Enrico Letta’s government in crucial vote of confidence
US shutdown: Barack Obama shortens four-nation Asian tour
The White House has announced President Barack Obama would not now visit Malaysia and the Philippines because of the government shutdown but would still travel to Indonesia and Brunei on his four-nation Asian tour. Malaysia had already announced Barack Obama would be replaced by Secretary of State John Kerry for the visit next week. The… Continue reading US shutdown: Barack Obama shortens four-nation Asian tour
Italy: Silvio Berlusconi allies defy him over confidence vote
Members of Silvio Berlusconi’s party have defied him by calling on MPs to back the Italian coalition government in a confidence vote. Angelino Alfano, Silvio Berlusconi’s deputy and secretary of People of Freedom, urged the party to unite behind PM Enrico Letta on Wednesday. Earlier, Silvio Berlusconi had ordered his ministers to leave the government,… Continue reading Italy: Silvio Berlusconi allies defy him over confidence vote
US shutdown 2013: Who is affected?
As the US Congress has failed to agree a budget by October 1st and a federal government shutdown has begun, more than 700,000 federal workers will be sent home and national parks, museums, federal buildings and services closed down. How will key departments be affected by the government shutdown? Department of Defense The nation’s 1.4… Continue reading US shutdown 2013: Who is affected?
US government begins partial shutdown
The US government begins a partial shutdown after the Republican-led House of Representatives refused to approve a budget for next year. A midnight deadline passed without agreement despite a last-gasp appeal by President Barack Obama. More than 700,000 US government workers face unpaid leave with no guarantee of back pay once the deadlock is over.… Continue reading US government begins partial shutdown
US government shutdown looms amid stalemate
The US government shutdown is looming as Democrat and Republican lawmakers remain unable to strike a deal on a new plan to continue funding its operation. If they fail to reach an agreement by midnight, the US government will be forced to close all non-essential federal services. More than 800,000 staff could be sent home… Continue reading US government shutdown looms amid stalemate
Markets reaction to Italy’s political crisis
Italy’s deepening political crisis has impacted the financial markets. The Italian market fell more than 2% and the euro fell to the lowest level since June against the Swiss Franc. Italy’s 10-year bond yield – an indication of how much the government has to pay to borrow money – rose as high as 4.66%, the… Continue reading Markets reaction to Italy’s political crisis
Giorgio Napolitano to tackle political crisis after Silvio Berlusconi’s ministers left coalition government
Italian President Giorgio Napolitano is considering ways out of an acute political crisis after ex-PM Silvio Berlusconi’s ministers left the coalition government. Giorgio Napolitano hinted that he would try to oversee the formation of a new coalition without calling elections. This follows weeks of worsening ties between Silvio Berlusconi’s party and PM Enrico Letta’s centre-left… Continue reading Giorgio Napolitano to tackle political crisis after Silvio Berlusconi’s ministers left coalition government
Senate to reject House funding bill to avert government shutdown
Senate Majority leader Harry Reid has warned that his Democratic-led chamber will reject a House Republican bill to avert a government shutdown. Early on Sunday, the Republican-led House of Representatives passed its amended version of the Senate bill, removing funding from President Barack Obama’s healthcare law. There is now less than 48 hours to avert… Continue reading Senate to reject House funding bill to avert government shutdown
Golden Dawn leader Nikolaos Mihaloliakos arrested over forming criminal organization
Nikolaos Mihaloliakos, leader of Greece’s far-right Golden Dawn party, has been arrested on charges of forming a criminal organization. Another Golden Dawn MP has been held and more warrants issued, Greek police say. The arrests and warrants come amid anger over the murder on September 18 of anti-racist musician, Pavlos Fyssas. A man arrested for… Continue reading Golden Dawn leader Nikolaos Mihaloliakos arrested over forming criminal organization
Italy: PM Enrico Letta threatens to resign
Italy’s PM Enrico Letta has threaten to resign unless his cabinet gets clear backing in a parliamentary vote expected to be called next week. Enrico Letta’s warning came after the government failed to approve key budget measures. His government is an unstable coalition between his party and that of ex-PM Silvio Berlusconi. Silvio Berlusconi could… Continue reading Italy: PM Enrico Letta threatens to resign
US government careens toward shutdown
The US government careens toward a potentially devastating shutdown as Republicans and Democrats in Congress remain deadlocked on a budget to continue its funding. Agencies have begun making contingency plans ahead of the October 1st deadline to pass a new funding resolution. The Senate has passed a bill to fund the government through November 15.… Continue reading US government careens toward shutdown
Bill 606: Halle Berry anti-paparazzi bill becomes law in California
Anti-paparazzi bill which limits their ability to photograph stars’ children has become law in the state of California. Bill 606, championed by actress Halle Berry, who testified before the state assembly, sets out to protect the children of those in the public eye. It lays out penalties for taking photos and video of a child… Continue reading Bill 606: Halle Berry anti-paparazzi bill becomes law in California
Jack Lew: US will hit its debt ceiling by October 17
Treasury Secretary Jack Lew has warned that he US will hit its debt ceiling by October 17, leaving the government with half the money needed to pay its bills. Jack Lew said that unless the US is allowed to extend its borrowing limit, the country will be left with about $30 billion to meet its… Continue reading Jack Lew: US will hit its debt ceiling by October 17
French public deficit to hit record in 2014
The French government has revealed the country’s public debt will hit a record 95.1% of GDP in 2014, above previous estimates, and up from 93.4% in 2013. The figure was revealed as the country unveiled its budget for next year. The debt should fall back in 2015, and repeated its aim to bring the public… Continue reading French public deficit to hit record in 2014
Obamacare: How Bill Clinton and Barack Obama promote healthcare law
Presidents Barack Obama and Bill Clinton have joined forces to promote Obama’s healthcare initiative, known as Obamacare, just days before one of its major provisions takes effect. In New York, they discussed the law’s progress and denounced Republican efforts to stymie its implementation. Beginning on October 1st, Americans who lack health insurance will be able… Continue reading Obamacare: How Bill Clinton and Barack Obama promote healthcare law
Barack Obama renews gun law calls after Washington Navy Yard deaths
Barack Obama has reiterated calls for changes to US gun laws at a memorial service for the victims of last week’s shooting at the Washington Navy Yard. President Barack Obama said tears were “not enough”. He told mourners Americans must insist that “there is nothing normal about innocent men and women being gunned down where… Continue reading Barack Obama renews gun law calls after Washington Navy Yard deaths