* China and the United States will hold their eighth round of high-level economic and trade consultations in Beijing from March 28 to 29, the Ministry of Commerce (MOF) saidon March 21. * European Union's (EU) 27 members unanimously agreed to Art. 50 extension until May 22 if Withdrawal Agreement is approved next week by Britain's House of Commons, President of the European Council Donald Tusk said on Twitter on March 21. * French President Emmanuel Macron on March 21 said Britain would face a disruptive departure from the European Union (EU), if British Prime Minister Theresa May loses a third parliamentary vote on her Brexit deal next week. * Ahead of the European summit starting on March 21, German Chancellor Angela Merkel reiterated her will to fight for an orderly Brexit "until the last day, until the last hour". * Zimbabwean President Emmerson Mnangagwa has declared two days of national mourning following the devastating Cyclone Idai which has killed 139 people and left a trail … [Read more...] about World News in Brief: March 22
Venezuela news maduro
Venezuela’s funds transfer blocked, opposition lawmaker says
Venezuela's funds transfer blocked, opposition lawmaker says Venezuelan opposition leader Juan Guaido speaks during a meeting with business leaders to discuss economic development plans under a transition government in Caracas, Venezuela February 5, 2019 – PHOTO: REUTERS CARACAS (REUTERS) - A bank in Portugal has blocked Venezuela’s attempt to transfer US$1.2 billion to Uruguay, a lawmaker said on Tuesday as the opposition to President Nicolas Maduro warned of the theft of public funds, while the United States sent food and medical aid to the Venezuelan-Colombian border. Pressure is building on Maduro, a socialist, to resign amid an economic crisis marked by widespread shortages and hyperinflation, with the United States and a growing number of other nations recognising opposition leader Juan Guaido as Venezuela’s legitimate president. Pope Francis on Tuesday expressed willingness for the Vatican to mediate Venezuela’s mounting crisis if both sides seek … [Read more...] about Venezuela’s funds transfer blocked, opposition lawmaker says
Venezuela arrests six ‘terrorists’ over attempted Maduro assassination
Venezuelan President Nicolas Maduro (centre) gestures between his wife Cilia Flores (left) and Defence Minister General Vladimir Padrino during a ceremony to celebrate the 81st anniversary of the National Guard in Caracas. (Juan BARRETO/AFP) Interior and Justice Minister Nestor Reverol announced the arrests on state television, saying more could be on the way "in the coming hours." Three soldiers were in critical condition and four more were injured in the alleged attack that involved two remote-controlled drones, Reverol said. He described it as "a crime of terrorism and assassination" and said that the "material and intellectual authors inside and outside the country" had been identified. Venezuela's opposition braced itself for "persecution and repression" as the armed forces vowed "unconditional" loyalty to radical socialist leader Maduro, who, standing with his wife on a reviewing stand, was unharmed in the incident. Maduro vowed to inflict "maximum punishment" on those who … [Read more...] about Venezuela arrests six ‘terrorists’ over attempted Maduro assassination
Venezuela’s Maduro expels US diplomats, rejects sanctions
Viet Nam News CARACAS — Venezuela ordered the expulsion of the top two US diplomats in the country Tuesday, charging it was the victim of a "political and financial lynching" after Washington tightened sanctions over Nicolas Maduro’s re-election. Maduro announced the expulsions in a televised speech after being officially proclaimed the winner of Sunday’s election in the South American nation mired in an acute economic. The Venezuelan president declared US charge d’affaires Todd Robinson and deputy head of mission Brian Naranjo "personae non gratae." "They must leave the country in 48 hours in protest and in defense of the dignity of the Venezuelan homeland... Enough of conspiracies!" he said. The United States immediately threatened to retaliate. A State Department official told AFP that Washington had "not received notification from the Venezuelan government through diplomatic channels," but that if the expulsions are confirmed, "the United States may … [Read more...] about Venezuela’s Maduro expels US diplomats, rejects sanctions
Maduro wins as rivals call for new Venezuela elections
Viet Nam News CARACAS — President Nicolas Maduro was declared winner of Venezuela’s election Sunday in a poll rejected as invalid by his rivals, who immediately called for fresh elections to be held later this year. Reeling under a devastating economic crisis, only 46 per cent of voters turned out to cast ballots in an election boycotted by the opposition and condemned by much of the international community, but one that hands Maduro a second term until 2025. "We do not recognise this electoral process as valid, as true," his main rival Henri Falcon told a news conference, even before the result was announced. "For us, there were no elections. We have to have new elections in Venezuela." Maduro hailed his victory for another six-year term in a speech to thousands of cheering supporters outside the official Miraflores Palace in Caracas. "Never before has a presidential candidate taken 68 per cent of the popular vote," he said, to applause. "We won again! We triumphed … [Read more...] about Maduro wins as rivals call for new Venezuela elections