Tag: Politics

  • Lula turns himself in after police stand-off

    Video Lula turns himself in after police stand-off

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  • Brazil’s Lula still has power to influence politics

    Brazilian ex-president Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva is lifted by supporters after attending a Catholic Mass in memory of his late wife Marisa Leticia, at the metalworkers' union building in Sao Bernardo do Campo, in metropolitan Sao Paulo, Brazil, 7 April 2018 Image copyright Getty Images Image caption Lula is lifted by supporters at the steelworkers’ union building in Sao Paulo

    Brazil’s former President Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva’s surrender on Saturday capped a dramatic few days in Brazil. But the political spectacle is likely to continue as the country heads towards presidential elections in October.

    “We are going to return to the time where just a few people have a lot of money, and a lot of people have nothing,” Lula supporter Gisele Veloso says.

    She was on the verge of tears as she stood outside the steelworkers’ union in the early hours of Thursday morning. It was just after the Supreme Court ruled that Lula had to start serving his 12-year prison sentence for corruption and tensions were running high.

    Spectacular fall from grace

    For many, Lula still holds a special place. He was Brazil’s first working-class president and helped lift millions out of poverty. He promised change in a country known for its gaping inequalities.

    But it has been a stunning fall from grace for a man who was once the most popular leader in Brazilian history. Convicted and jailed for corruption and money laundering, he now has a less flattering claim to fame as the country’s most famous criminal.

    Media playback is unsupported on your device

    Media captionLula forced his way through crowds of his supporters to turn himself in

    For millions, including those who had voted for him in the past, he turned out to be just as corrupt as the politicians who came before him. There are now plenty of people who are eager to see him locked up.

    Messy months ahead

    Even so, it’s unlikely that this is the last we will hear of Lula. Leaders in the Workers’ Party (PT) have already said he remains their candidate for October’s elections.

    It is possible for Lula to campaign behind bars – for now. So the next few months will be messy and emotional.

    Parties have to put forward names of their preferred candidates by 15 August. The Electoral court then has until mid-September to analyse them.

    Lula: Only death will take me off streets A quick guide to Brazil’s scandals

    Because of what is known as the “Clean Sheet” law, which was introduced in 2010, anybody with a criminal conviction is banned from public office for eight years. At that point, Lula’s nomination is expected to be thrown out.

    But that means for several months, we could have a convicted criminal attempting to be the country’s next leader. This is Brazil and politics is nothing if not complicated – and at times unbelievable.

    An act of rejection

    For Thiago de Aragão, a partner at political consultancy Arko Advice, this is the end of an era – one that Lula’s Workers’ Party was warned about.

    “They knew that this would happen,” he says, adding that they have lined up possible candidates to replace him, including the former mayor of São Paulo, Fernando Haddad.

    “From within the Workers’ Party, breaking with Lula is not an option,” he says, adding that Lula has in the past few years become bigger than the party he founded.

    “Because of that, a candidate from the party that is not fully endorsed or linked to Lula does not stand a chance,” he adds.

    They have a strategy and that, according to Mr de Aragão, is to keep pushing Lula as a candidate until the last moment. When the electoral court throws his candidacy out, that’s when they’ll put forward another candidate.

    “They will make this an act of rejection,” he says. “The energy from that moment will then be transmitted to the candidate that will be chosen to run on Lula’s behalf.”

    From far-left to far-right

    Brazilian politics is increasingly polarised. Trailing behind leftist Lula in the presidential polls is far-right candidate Jair Bolsonaro. So could he become number one?

    Many experts doubt it.

    “The existence of a candidate like Bolsonaro is a product of the existence of Lula,” says Mr de Aragão.

    If that’s the case, then it throws the elections wide open. There is a great deal of uncertainty as to the political future of this country. Ask a Brazilian who to vote for and many just shrug their shoulders – they have no idea.

    One thing is certain though, Lula’s influence is here to stay.

    “He will still be able to do politics even through his silence,” says João Paulo Orsini Martinelli, a criminal lawyer in São Paulo. “His existence will still be there and he’s still a gravitational force within Brazilian politics. He’s a player.”

    Additional reporting by Anna Jean Kaiser

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  • Brexit: Economists say UK has ‘nothing to fear’ from no-deal go out

    Former foreign secretary Boris Johnson Image copyright Reuters Image caption Boris Johnson used to be among a gaggle of Tory Brexiteers to suggest the file at an adventure in London

    The Uk has “nothing to concern” if it exits the eu in March without a industry agreement, a document sponsored by means of Boris Johnson and Jacob Rees-Mogg has stated.

    Economists Without Cost Trade mentioned part the uk’s global industry was under International Industry Enterprise laws and this would practice to the european until a bespoke deal is done.

    A “clean holiday”, it stated, would narrow the cost of meals and clothes imports through 8% and boost tax sales by way of up to £80bn.

    The claims have been branded “Undertaking Fable” via Labour MP Chuka Umunna.

    Mr Umunna, who supports a referendum on the end result of the Brexit negotiations, stated Mr Rees-Mogg and other Brexiteers had been “completely out-of-touch with the lives of normal other folks”.

    Image copyright EPA Image caption The Treasury has warned that a no-deal Brexit may just result in £80bn additional borrowing by 2030

    On The related time, it mentioned British exports to the rest of the arena had grown greater than 3 times faster than to the eu.

    The workforce of economists stated it was once fallacious to characterise leaving the eu and not using a business agreement in place as “crashing out” and not using a deal, since the UNITED KINGDOM and the eu Commission would have a duty to achieve a chain of person agreements in areas similar to aviation and effort.

    “Switching to an international trade deal below WTO laws is no step within the dark because the united kingdom already conducts about half its industry underneath WTO laws,” the report said.

    November Brexit deal is potential – Barnier Might plans to ‘keep calm and carry on’

    Outside the european, the document argues, the uk could be unfastened to set its personal tariffs on EUROPEAN imports and if these had been eliminated, it might cut back costs for customers by way of as a lot as 8%. with those on low earning reaping benefits the most from less expensive food and clothing.

    On the other hand, it mentioned if the ecu selected to impose import tariffs on standard pieces, its huge industry surplus with the uk may just lead to an annual boost to the uk Exchequer of as a lot as £13bn.

    ‘Project Fable’

    Overall, it mentioned trading with the ecu on WTO regulations may just boost the united kingdom’s public finances by £80bn over the next 15 years, allowing long run governments to lift spending and cut taxes.

    The campaign crew, led via Professor Patrick Minford, is urging the uk to depart the ecu prior to starting talks over a trade deal modelled on the european’s accord with Canada – arguing this will likely provide the uk extra leverage.

    “There can be no time constraints, the ecu may have new, non-politically impressed, negotiating guidelines, and the advantages of a clean Brexit can be coming obvious,” it said.

    Tuesday’s launch of the file used to be attended by prominent Brexiteers, including Mr Johnson and David Davis who give up the cabinet in protest on the PM’s Chequers plan.

    Responding to the record, Labour’s Chuka Umunna, a leading member of the People’s Vote campaign for a referendum on the ultimate deal, said a no-deal Brexit can be a crisis for the uk.

    “the newest Challenge Fable record from advocates of an extremely-arduous Brexit guarantees to take us to a land of milk-and-honey,” he stated.

    “the reality is that, ahead of we’ve got even left, Brexit is forcing up costs within the shops, destabilising our economy and stripping our well being carrier of the medical doctors and nurses that it so badly needs.”

  • Mark Carney to stick on at Bank of britain until 2020

    Mark Carney Image copyright Reuters

    Mark Carney will stay Bank of england governor till the tip of January 2020, Chancellor Philip Hammond has informed MPs.

    Mr Hammond said the seven-month extension may “beef up a smooth exit” from the eu Union.

    The extension was agreed in an trade of letters between the governor and the chancellor revealed on Wednesday.

    Mr Carney mentioned he was once “willing to do no matter what i will in order to promote each a a success Brexit and an effective transition on the Financial Institution of britain”.

    The governor had been due to step down from the position at the top of June 2019 – two years wanting the usual eight-12 months term.

    Symbol caption Nicky Morgan chairs the Commons Treasury committee

    Nicky Morgan, chair of the Commons Treasury committee, said the announcement supplied “so much-wanted steadiness and clarity”.

    “The Government must now use the additional seven months to proceed its succession making plans. it should establish a candidate in excellent time for the Treasury committee to scrutinise the appointment,” she added.

    Mr Carney gave evidence closing week to the Treasury committee while he said that “offering a degree of continuity during this duration” was essential.

  • NI Trade leaders call for comparable-sex marriage legislation

    A sign from a pro-gay marriage march in Belfast saying: Image copyright Getty Pictures Symbol caption Northern Ireland is the one part of the uk that doesn’t allow related-sex marriage

    Representatives of a couple of best multinationals have signed an open letter calling for the advent of comparable-sex marriage in NI.

    They include financial, criminal and IT companies with NI branch offices.

    The letter said: “Whilst many of the arguments for equivalent marriage are in line with rights and equality, there may be additionally an important economic argument.”

    The signatories mentioned they wanted to see their LGBT employees enjoy the same rights as the ones within the remainder of the united kingdom.

    ‘Outward looking’

    “a diverse, outward-looking and inclusive society is essential to create a vibrant and competitive economy and a prosperous long run for Northern Ireland,” the letter provides.

    Beverages manufacturers Coca Cola Eire, regulation companies Baker McKenzie and Pinsent Masons, consultants Deloitte and PwC, Liberty IT, Bank Of Ireland and Ulster Financial Institution all introduced their voice to the message.

    Andrea McIlroy-Rose, of Pinsent Masons stated the transfer would have an impact past person employees.

    “The trade case for marriage equality is compelling, each in phrases of retaining and attracting ability, and likewise to send out a message to global buyers that Northern Eire is a contemporary, outward looking economy, with a modern perspective on non-public freedoms and rights.”

    Sandra Wright of Ulster Bank said the trade noticed itself as “really inclusive and diverse”.

    “We Wish to do what we will be able to to make sure our shoppers, colleagues and the LGBTQ+ neighborhood in Northern Ireland have the same rights prolonged to them as the remaining of the uk and Ireland,” she added.

    UK regulation

    In light of the current loss of devolved executive at Stormont, John O’Doherty, director the Rainbow Project and member of the affection Equality consortium called on the uk executive to introduce law making an allowance for comparable-sex marriage.

    “The brain drain from Northern Ireland is a acknowledged fact and it’s vital that we replicate upon all of its causes, now not least of all the incontrovertible fact that Northern Eire continues to be the only part of these Islands not to realize equivalent marriage,” he said.

  • Brazil candidate Jair Bolsonaro to undergo ‘major surgery’

    Image copyright AFP Symbol caption Jair Bolsonaro has ardent supporters but also a prime rejection charge

    A ballot by BTG Real/FSB indicates Mr Bolsonaro’s chances of successful the primary spherical greater following the stabbing, with 30% of these requested announcing they’d vote for him, up from 26%.

    But a Datafolha poll only had him increasing from 22% to 24%, which is throughout the margin of error.

    The related ballot suggests that the a ways-right politician’s rejection price has increased from 39% to 43%.

    Mr Bolsonaro of the Social Liberal Celebration (PSL) is a divisive baby-kisser whom a few analysts have compared to US President Donald Trump.

    His homophobic and misogynist feedback have led to outrage amongst many Brazilians but he enjoys the backing of tens of millions of evangelical Christians who reward his anti-abortion stance.

    The Datafolha poll indicates he could without problems win the primary round with an ELEVEN-aspect lead over his nearest rival, leftist candidate Ciro Gomes.

    Alternatively, in step with a bunch of opinion polls, he seems to be set to lose must there be a run-off, which happens while none of the applicants receives more than 50% of the votes.

    Lula to bow out?

    Former President Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva, who until recently was once well ahead with 39% in the polls, is widely anticipated to pull out of the race in a while Tuesday.

    Lula, who is in jail serving a 12-year sentence for corruption and cash-laundering, has been barred by way of Brazil’s best possible electoral courtroom from working.

    His criminal crew remains to be interesting in opposition to the decision however resources close to his Workers’ Party told Reuters information agency that he may announce on Tuesday that his working mate, Fernando Haddad, might change him.

    Mr Haddad has been trailing within the polls with most effective FOUR% however his toughen jumped to 9% in Monday’s Datafolha ballot .

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  • Labour pledges ‘gig economy’ rights spice up

    John McDonnell Symbol copyright PA

    Labour would extend staff’ rights and “repair the balance of energy within the administrative center”, shadow chancellor John McDonnell is to pledge.

    he’ll promise extra rights for people running within the so-known as gig financial system.

    In his speech to the Trades Union Congress in Manchester, Mr McDonnell will say a “new administrative center atmosphere” will boost productivity.

    The Tories mentioned unemployment is at an all-time low with millions of low-paid employees given a pay upward thrust.

    what is the ‘gig’ economy? Unions call for 4-day working week TUC problems EU referendum caution to May

    BBC political correspondent Iain Watson stated that when a summer of difficult headlines, Labour was once trying to set a extra positive time table on the TUC convention.

    Mr McDonnell is expected to say staff in insecure employment might be given equivalent rights to those in everlasting work, including eligibility for unwell pay.

    “Labour’s programme of place of work reform will repair the steadiness among business enterprise and employee with a vital extension of business union rights, modernising company governance structures and lengthening the opportunity for staff to percentage jointly in the advantages of ownership of their company,” he’ll say.

    “Labour’s common-sense manner will forge a new place of business atmosphere most fitted to meeting the demanding situations of Britain’s ongoing low productiveness and the emerging fourth industrial revolution.”

    he will say zero-hours contracts and the gig financial system – that’s characterized by way of brief-term contracts and versatile hours – have produced “a place of work setting of lack of confidence now not noticed because the thirties”, and he’s going to accuse the Tories of “cumulative legislative assaults on business union freedoms”.

    “The decline of collective bargaining has meant that workers additionally now have little say over the key decisions taken through their employers over the long run of their firms,” he will say.

    Chancellor Philip Hammond hit again, pronouncing: “that is Labour’s document on workers – the ultimate Labour government left over half a million more other people out of work, and each Labour govt leaving place of job with unemployment upper than while it started.”

  • requires motion over illegal tourist sites

    caravans illegally camp on private land Image copyright Barcroft Media/Getty

    The Federal Government have to be “putting their heads in shame” over its efforts to take on unlawful gypsy and traveler sites, MPs have warned.

    Ministers are being instructed to switch their coverage and “make planned trespass a legal offence”.

    Tory MP Mark Francois stated this can provide police “an actual deterrent power” to transport visitors from land they do not personal or have permission to be on.

    The Federal Government mentioned the majority of the vacationer community have been regulation-abiding.

    Leading the controversy on Gypsies and Travelers within the Commons on Monday, former Tory minister Andrew Selous mentioned the “time for never-ending, consistent critiques is over”.

    Symbol caption A College sports activities day had to be cancelled after a host of Romany Gypsies parked on a field at Milton Keynes Rugby Membership in advance this yr

    He said present coverage was once failing both visitor and settled communities.

    “Travelers and the households that visitors illegally permit their caravans to on Travelers’ sites often haven’t any proper sewerage, water or heating and there’s no correct mechanism in position to make sure first rate requirements of housing.

    “the entire state of affairs is a complete disgrace within the Uk in 2018, and executive ministers and officers responsible for this coverage house have to be placing their heads in shame,” Mr Selous added.

    The Irish possibility

    Mr Selous and Mr Francois have been among those arguing for the government to emulate Eire, which in 2002 made planned trespass a prison offence.

    The knock-on effect of this alteration has been that more travelers have arrived in England from Ireland, as “we are regarded as something of a comfortable contact”, Mr Francois added.

    A change within the legislation might give police larger energy to move travelers on.

    “if they did not do so, they could be arrested, and their automobiles might be impounded – which, believe you me, could be an overly tough deterrent to the traveling group.”

    In reaction, groups minister Equipment Malthouse advised MPs the communities secretary had lately met the Irish executive to talk about their method.

  • Jeremy Corbyn tells Labour MPs to turn their hearth outwards

    Jeremy Corbyn Image copyright EPA

    Jeremy Corbyn says his party must “flip our fireplace outwards”, promising MPs Labour will stay a “broad church”.

    Several MPs who’ve criticised the chief have faced pressure from their constituency events, and Mr Corbyn has recently been prompt by means of one, Chuka Umunna, to “name off the canine”.

    Speaking to the Parliamentary Labour Birthday Party, Mr Corbyn stated there would at all times be variations of opinion.

    Meanwhile a movement of censure in opposition to one MP has been withdrawn.

    Canterbury MP Rosie Duffield had been facing the action via her native celebration over her comments about Labour’s anti-Semitism row, but this was once later withdrawn at a branch meeting.

    A spokesman for Jeremy Corbyn stated it used to be “no longer his position” to get entangled in the “democratic practices of various portions of the Labour Birthday Party”.

    Call off the canines, Umunna tells Corbyn Why Corbyn allies need variety rules modified

    Final week Labour activists handed no-confidence votes in opposition to the chums of Israel chairwoman Joan Ryan, Luton South MP Gavin Shuker and Nottingham East MP Chris Leslie.

    Earlier a couple of Labour MPs rallied in fortify of Ms Duffield after the censure movement was once discovered.

    Skip Twitter publish by @AngelaRayner

    Family Member and colleague @RosieDuffield1 is a fantastic MP who occurs to be a very good constituency MP too! Always so supportive in Parliament to me and different colleagues. Sending all my love ❤️❤️❤️

    — Angela Rayner (@AngelaRayner) September 10, 2018

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    Finish of Twitter publish via @AngelaRayner

    Skip Twitter publish by means of @YvetteCooperMP

    Rosie ’s an excellent MP. Can ’t believe any party individuals wd want to aim her in preference to Tories @RosieDuffield1 so spectacularly but narrowly defeated in #Canterbury & in no way over her problem to antisemitism which Jeremy, NEC & Shad Cab have all dedicated to tackling https://t.co/Wsg84FFMVj

    — Yvette Cooper (@YvetteCooperMP) September 10, 2018

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    Finish of Twitter submit by way of @YvetteCooperMP

    Skip Twitter post by way of @RosieDuffield1

    Overwhelmed by means of the beef up I Have received lately. thank you such a lot to all who have been in touch or tweeted. Thankfully, this tiny crew of members do not constitute my glorious CLP as an entire and they weren’t able to destroy my final day spent with my eldest son earlier than he leaves for Uni.

    — Rosie Duffield MP (@RosieDuffield1) September 10, 2018

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    End of Twitter put up through @RosieDuffield1

    Skip Twitter post via @alexsobel

    very pleased to hear Membership Democracy in action this night in Cantebury the place the movement of Censure towards @RosieDuffield1 which was once laid at the branch assembly was once withdrawn. way to the entire participants who supported Rosie.

    — Alex Sobel MP (@alexsobel) September 10, 2018

    Report

    Finish of Twitter submit by @alexsobel

    Mr Corbyn informed MPs on Monday night time: “The Labour Birthday Party has always been a wide church and i’m made up our minds it is still so.

    “we will be able to always have some differences of opinion and we will have to offer protection to the precise of grievance and debate however our first and overwhelming priority is to deliver for the people we constitute and remove this Conservative executive from place of job.

    “We must focus on that priority and switch our hearth outwards.”

    on the trust votes in native parties, a spokesman for Mr Corbyn said he had informed MPs that “it is now not his position to be all for the democratic practices of various parts of the Labour Birthday Celebration”, the press Association reported.

    He delivered: “He was making the purpose that everyone is topic to democratic accountability. it is not his role to intrude with that.

    “However clearly these things have to be conducted properly and carefully and with out abuse and Jeremy reiterated… that our politics is conducted with appreciate and without abuse of any sort.”

  • Afghan violence rages for second day, killing dozens

    Executive forces have suffered a few setbacks in contemporary weeks in their combat in opposition to the Taliban.

    Over the previous couple of days, dozens of security forces have been killed preventing in the northern Jawzjan, Kunduz and Samargan provinces.

    Militants additionally briefly seized the most important town of Ghazni in August, sitting at the main highway between the capital Kabul and the south of the rustic.

    Afghans in embattled town ‘can’t in finding food’ BBC reporter’s terrifying days amid Taliban assault

    The renewed fighting has dampened the prospect of diplomatic development ending the war.

    Earlier this yr, hopes had been raised after an unheard of three-day ceasefire right through Eid celebrations was in large part revered through each side, and Taliban officials secretly met a senior US diplomat in Qatar in July.

    Media playback is unsupported for your device

    Media captionTears, hugs and selfies as Afghan troops and Taliban mark a truce for Eid

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