Stories for 2017

Wednesday, September 27th 2017 - 06:18 UTC
NAFTA: Trudeau predicts “tough days ahead” ahead for negotiators

The top U.S. negotiator at talks to modernize the NAFTA trade pact dismissed questions about why his team had so far failed to produce specific proposals on key issues, saying “I don’t see a problem.” Officials from the United States, Mexico and Canada are in Ottawa for the third of seven planned rounds of talks.
Wednesday, September 27th 2017 - 06:01 UTC
Falklands: balancing financial prudence with the need to invest in a large capital program.

James Wilson is the new Financial Secretary within the Falkland Islands Government. A position some think is the equivalent to the Chancellor of the Exchequer in the UK Government. There are, however, some major differences: James is not a politician but a civil servant.
Tuesday, September 26th 2017 - 20:10 UTC
Taoiseach Varadkar and Theresa May rule out a “hard border” in Ireland

Brexit divorce talks have so far made insufficient progress to allow starting negotiations on a post-withdrawal trade deal, Ireland's Taoiseach Leo Varadkar has said after meeting British prime minister Theresa May in Downing Street. But Mr Varadkar stressed that there was still time for the situation to be resolved before the 27 remaining EU members make a decision on the matter in October.
Tuesday, September 26th 2017 - 20:01 UTC
Russia commissions first of three nuclear powered icebreakers for Arktika Project

The first serially-produced Sibir nuclear-powered icebreaker, designed to reinforce Russia’s leadership in the Arctic, was commissioned last week at the Baltic Shipyard in St. Petersburg. It is one of the three vessels part of Project 22220 which are to become the world’s largest and most powerful nuclear icebreakers. The lead ship of the project, the Arktika, was commissioned last year.
Tuesday, September 26th 2017 - 18:45 UTC
Jumbo 100sq-miles iceberg breaks off from Pine Island Glacier in West Antarctica

An enormous Antarctic glacier has given up an iceberg over 100 square miles in size, the second time in two years it has lost such a large piece in a process that has scientists wondering if its behavior is changing for the worse.
Tuesday, September 26th 2017 - 18:31 UTC
Carnival contracts the building of a new 'Queen class' cruise vessel for Cunard

Carnival Corporation & plc announced that it has signed a memorandum of agreement with Italian shipbuilder Fincantieri S.p.A. to build a new cruise ship for the company’s iconic Cunard brand. The new ship for Cunard will be built at Fincantieri’s shipyard in Monfalcone, Italy, with an expected delivery date in 2022.
Tuesday, September 26th 2017 - 18:17 UTC
Labour conference forced to address Brexit to calm pro/EU MPS and ensure party unity

UK Labour activists have backed a statement clarifying the party’s position on Brexit. The eleventh-hour statement was waved through by a show of hands in the main conference hall, after another day of division in the party over Britain’s EU withdrawal.
Tuesday, September 26th 2017 - 17:18 UTC
Falkland Islands Government marks thirty years exhibiting at the UK Party Political Conferences.

The Falkland Islands Government continue to attend and exhibit at both the Conservative and Labour Party Conferences, to represent Falkland Islanders views and to thank delegates for their continued support. This includes both the Government and Opposition politicians, along with the wider general public attending.
Tuesday, September 26th 2017 - 14:36 UTC
Scotland and London hold “constructive talks”, but still far from a Brexit deal

The Scottish and UK governments have held “constructive” talks over Brexit, but are still a long way from a deal. Scotland's Deputy First Minister John Swinney and Brexit minister Mike Russell met First Secretary of State Damian Green in London to discuss concerns about the EU Withdrawal Bill.
Tuesday, September 26th 2017 - 13:06 UTC
Brazilian government revokes decree opening Amazon reserve to mining

The Brazilian government has revoked a controversial decree that would have opened up a vast reserve in the Amazon to commercial mining. The area, covering 46,000 sq km, straddles the northern states of Amapa and Para and is thought to be rich in gold, iron, manganese and other minerals.