Tory government opens negotiations with trans-Pacific trading bloc

The UK government has begun talks to join the trans-Pacific trading bloc CPTPP, as part of its post-Brexit move to focus on trade outside of Europe. International Trade Secretary Liz Truss opened negotiations on Tuesday morning with Japan’s Yasutoshi Nishimura, the current chair of the CPTPP.

Tories wilfully underfunded childcare

The government has invested less than two-thirds of the estimated cost of properly funding childcare, recently released documents have revealed. According to these government briefing documents, the rates of funding for 2020-2021 did not meet the required amount to fund the free childcare initiative, which offers parents of three and four year old children thirty hours of free childcare per week.

Algeria holds parliamentary election, with many boycotting

Algeria’s first parliamentary election since the resignation of President Abdelaziz Bouteflika has been held amid mass calls for a boycott. Those choosing not to vote include the decentralised Hirak movement, who pushed against the former President in his attempt to stand for a fifth term.

89 politicians in Mexico murdered leading up to midterm elections

At least 89 Mexican politicians have been murdered in the last 200 days, 35 of which were candidates for the midterm elections. There has also been over 700 attacks, according to security consultancy firm Etellekt, including threats, beatings and kidnappings.