Stories for May 8th 2013

Wednesday, May 8th 2013 - 23:33 UTC
London honours HMS Edinburgh, the last of the Type 42 destroyers

Royal Navy Veteran destroyer HMS Edinburgh and giant helicopter carrier HMS Illustrious brought London to a halt on Wednesday as they glided down the River Thames. HMS Edinburgh is the last of the Type 42 destroyers and is on her first stop on a round-Britain farewell tour which ends nearly 30 years of service.
Wednesday, May 8th 2013 - 21:52 UTC
IATTO expects Antarctic tourism to grow 3% next 2013/14 season

A new five-year Strategic Plan, an expanded Membership and committee structure, and a new yacht dockside observer program were among the items adopted at the 24th Annual Meeting of the International Association of Antarctica Tour Operators (IAATO), held April 22-24 in Punta Arenas, Chile.
Wednesday, May 8th 2013 - 19:48 UTC
Reassurance for Falklands and Gibraltar

By Harold Briley from London - The Falkland Islands and Gibraltar have been reassured by the British Government that it will protect their right to choose their own way of government. The pledge was contained in the Government’s programmer and new laws for the forthcoming session of Parliament, outlined in the traditional Queen’s Speech to both Houses of Parliament.
Wednesday, May 8th 2013 - 16:57 UTC
Brazilian inflation during April just managed to keep to the government’s target

Inflation in Brazil during April climbed 0.55% over March (0.47%) and accumulated 6.49% in the last twelve months which is just below the government’s upper limit target of 4.5% to 6.5%, according to the latest release from the country’s Geography and Statistics National Institute, IBGE.
Wednesday, May 8th 2013 - 16:28 UTC
Falklands/Gibraltar: Queen reaffirms protection and self determination of British Overseas Territories

Britain reaffirmed on Wednesday that it will ensure and protect the right to the Falkland Islanders and Gibraltarians to determine their political futures. The strong message was included in HM Queen Elizabeth traditional annual address to Parliament setting out the legislative program for the government of PM David Cameron.
Wednesday, May 8th 2013 - 09:56 UTC
Maduro promises Uruguay permanent supply of oil and full Mercosur commitment

President Nicolas Maduro promised his Uruguayan counterpart Jose Mujica a “permanent” supply of petroleum from oil-rich Venezuela during the first leg of his visit to Mercosur member countries. Maduro also announced the signing of a strategic alliance in the energy sector with Uruguay.
Wednesday, May 8th 2013 - 09:51 UTC
Argentina offers tax amnesty for undeclared dollars and assets in the country and overseas

The administration of President Cristina Fernandez announced the drafting of a bill intended to establish a recovery plan for undeclared assets within the country and abroad in order to strengthen the level of foreign reserves of the Central Bank. The government estimates Argentines hold 160bn dollars outside the financial system in the country and overseas.
Wednesday, May 8th 2013 - 09:40 UTC
First Latinamerican and BRIC representative next head of WTO

Brazil's Roberto Azevedo has won the race to become the next head of the World Trade Organization, the first candidate from Latinamerica and from the BRIC club of emerging economies to take the job.
Wednesday, May 8th 2013 - 09:34 UTC
Francis will visit a favela, meet young prisoners when he arrives in Brazil for World Day of Youth

Pope Francis will visit a favela (slum) and meet young prisoners when he travels to Brazil on his first international trip as pontiff in July, the Vatican announced on Tuesday. The Argentine born pope who has said he wants to make concern for the poor a hallmark of his papacy, will visit the Manguinhos slum in Rio de Janeiro on the fourth day of his July 22-29 trip to the world's largest Catholic country.
Wednesday, May 8th 2013 - 09:29 UTC
China fears a US/EU free trade area could become protectionist; looks to Latinamerica

China has raised concerns about European Union plans to negotiate an ambitious free trade deal with the United States, fearing it is a protectionist move and at the same time Beijing new administration is doubling efforts towards Latinamerica and Africa.