Stories for 2014

Saturday, April 12th 2014 - 08:29 UTC
Memorial unveiling to commemorate the Battle of the River Plate

With consular representation from New Zealand and Uruguay, survivors of the first major naval battle of the Second World War will gather at Britain's National Memorial Arboretum to unveil a memorial commemorating the event. The Battle of the River Plate took place 75 years ago and less than a dozen veterans are still alive from this, the only episode of the war to take place in South America.
Saturday, April 12th 2014 - 08:21 UTC
Atlantic patrol HMS Portland busy in Angola and South Africa

The Plymouth based frigate, HMS Portland currently deployed on South Atlantic tasking reached this week South Africa's Cape Town where she was involved in promoting Britain and in charity activities. Previously she made a short stop in the Angolan capital, Luanda to highlight UK’s relationship with Angola and provide training to Angolan Navy personnel.
Saturday, April 12th 2014 - 08:12 UTC
Police and squatters clash in Rio do Janeiro next to the Maracana stadium

A dozen people were hurt and 27 arrested Friday in clashes between police and some of the roughly 5,000 squatters occupying a vacant industrial property in Rio do Janeiro, Brazil's second-largest city. Militants among the squatters set fire to several vehicles including a police patrol as they sought to remain on the site in the impoverished Engenho Novo neighborhood just steps away from the iconic Maracana stadium.
Saturday, April 12th 2014 - 08:06 UTC
Peruvian president Humala honoured as “Statesman of the Year” in Canada

Peruvian President Ollanta Humala at the end of his three day visit to Canada was honoured in Toronto by the Canadian Council of the Americas with the “Statesman of the Year” annual award. On thanking the award President Humala said that Peru during this year is expected to expand over 5.5% while investment is set to increase by 8%.
Friday, April 11th 2014 - 22:06 UTC
Greece returns strongly to the bond market with a 3-billion Euro issue at 4.95%

Two years after it nearly crashed out of the Euro zone, Greece returned to the bond market this week with yield-hungry investors rushing to buy its debt in a 3-billion Euro deal that could mark the beginning of the end of its bailout. Athens offered a yield of just 4.95% to sell five-year bonds, the second lowest borrowing costs for a bailed-out Euro zone state returning to market.
Friday, April 11th 2014 - 22:01 UTC
Olympic Committee top official sent to Rio to tackle delays in the 2016 Games

The International Olympic Committee is sending its executive director Gilbert Felli to Brazil next week as part of a series of emergency measures to tackle the delays threatening the 2016 Games in Rio de Janeiro. The announcement was made by IOC president Thomas Bach.
Friday, April 11th 2014 - 21:54 UTC
The Economist's view of Argentine leader Cristina Fernández

The Economist has a piece on Argentina's president Cristina Fernández, an X-ray on her character, reactions, but also strong points, and what can be expected of what is left of her mandate that ends in December 2015. Even with her clout dwindling Cristina Fernández remains the most powerful politician of Argentina.
Friday, April 11th 2014 - 12:19 UTC
Coins to celebrate South Georgia's Grytviken Church centenary

The Treasury of South Georgia & The South Sandwich Islands have issued a new crown which celebrates the centennial of one of the Island group’s most well-known and recognized landmarks: the Grytviken Church.
Friday, April 11th 2014 - 12:12 UTC
Footage of live mugging of a woman while being interviewed in Rio do Janeiro

Brazilian TV is showing footage of a woman being robbed while being interviewed on television about crime near Rio de Janeiro’s main train station. The images of the interview conducted Wednesday by TV Globo were posted on its G1 internet news portal and come just a few weeks before the beginning of the World Cup.
Friday, April 11th 2014 - 08:38 UTC
Water rationing round the corner for the metropolis of Sao Paulo, admits major utility

The metropolis of Sao Paulo may have to ration water this year if reservoir levels are not replenished, Brazil's largest water and sewage utility said, an increasing possibility as the southeast region heads into its dry season.