Latin America
Mexico to face partial recount in Presidential election
The recount has been announced after Mexico’s electoral authorities said there were inconsistencies in Sunday’s election. It comes just two days after Enrique Nieto, of the Institutional Revolutionary Party (PRI), claimed victory. The difference between Nieto and Obrador, the two leading candidates, was 6.51%. The recount is for more than half the country’s 143,000 polling stations. Although Obrador insists a full recount is needed, his supporter welcome the partial recount after allegations that Nieto’s PRI was vote buying. Mr. Nieto has denied all allegations against him and the PRI. The official results are expected next Sunday.
Europe
Euro-zone woes continue
The European Central Bank (ECB) has announced that it has cut interest rates to a new record low, from 1% to 0.75%. The new rate aims to instigate investment and deter saving, because at this current rate it falls below current Euro-rates of inflation. The ECB has also cut its deposit rate to zero. The cuts have reflected other central banks making similar steps, such as in the UK and China. The cut to interest rates is the third to happen since Mr. Draghi became president of the ECB late last year.
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Decentralization of England’s cities
It was announced today that six of England’s cities are to be given extra finance and powers to diminish youth unemployment and instigate economic growth. The plans will affect Newcastle, Birmingham, Sheffield, Nottingham, Bristol and Leeds. Similar agreements have already been agreed with Liverpool and Manchester. Labour has supported the plans in principle, but has criticized the Conservative led-government for not making more countrywide commitments.
Asia
Fukushima nuclear disaster was ‘man-made’
A new report has criticized the ‘ignorance’ and ‘arrogance’ of both government and the nuclear plant’s operators over nuclear power policy. The Fukushima disaster occurred as a series of nuclear meltdowns following the 2011 Tohoku earthquake. It is largely regarded as the biggest nuclear disaster since Chernobyl, 1986. The report, made by a Japanese parliamentary panel, has said that it was a “profoundly man-made disaster”, in that the effects “could and should have been prevented” and its effects “mitigated by a more effective human response”. The report also noted that culture inhibited questioning over safety decisions and authority. The report’s findings will be felt around the world, as governments deliberate over the building of nuclear power facilities.
Africa and Middle East
Food crisis hits Somalia
Save the Children have appealed for an increase in food aid to the Somalia region, after droughts and conflict are threatening attempts to recover from last year’s famine. The food crisis has instigated a refugee crisis as hundreds of thousands flee towards cities in a bid to find food and escape areas controlled by Islamist militants who have boycotted international aid efforts. The severity of the situation has been heightened by the conflict, which has facilitated high food prices, claims Save the Children.
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Nato supply trucks begin crossing Pakistani border
A day after Pakistan reopened supply routes to Afghanistan; Nato has crossed the Pakistan border. The border was reopened after an apology from the US for killing 24 Pakistan soldiers last November. The reopening will save the US millions of dollars as it prepares for a withdrawal of military forces from Afghanistan. The announcement comes during a period of tensions between Afghanistan and Nato, after reports that Nato air strikes caused collateral damage in the region.
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