Stories for December 6th 2013

Friday, December 6th 2013 - 23:31 UTC
Despite strong signs of recovery, Bank of England leaves interest rates unchanged

The Bank of England held interest rates at a record low once more this week in spite of mounting optimism over the UK recovery. A flurry of encouraging signs on the UK economy has fuelled expectations for growth to pick up to around 1% this quarter.
Friday, December 6th 2013 - 23:27 UTC
Falklands' flag flying at half mast in honour of Nelson Mandela

In a statement released Friday afternoon, the Falkland Islands Government has said it was saddened to learn of the passing of former South African President Nelson Mandela yesterday.
Friday, December 6th 2013 - 23:20 UTC
Falklands working on a policy to protect the Islands from norovirus

The Falkland Islands is aiming to develop a policy to protect the territory from the spread of norovirus, an infection which is not uncommon in big urban centres but which several cruise vessels have also experienced.
Friday, December 6th 2013 - 23:16 UTC
Europe demanding a decision from Mercosur on advancing the trade talks

The European Commission president Jose Manuel Barroso called on Mercosur to decide whether it wishes to advance in trade talks with the European Union jointly, as a block, and suggested the idea of a 'two-speed negotiation', since it is clear that Brazil is interested in advancing and wants to reach an agreement.
Friday, December 6th 2013 - 07:10 UTC
World joins in grief and admiration for South Africa's greatest, Madiba

Former South African president and hero of the anti-apartheid movement, Nelson Mandela, has passed away in his home following a long fight against illness, current head of state Jacob Zuma revealed on Thursday in a press conference.
Friday, December 6th 2013 - 07:05 UTC
Brazil's central bank expected to keep current pace of interest rate increases

Brazil's central bank said its current pace of interest rate increases remains appropriate to rein in consumer prices, repeating language it used to justify previous half-percentage-point increases, according to the November 26/27 minutes released on Thursday.
Friday, December 6th 2013 - 06:57 UTC
FIFA announces 358m dollars of prize money for the 2014 Cup

The 32 teams at next year's World Cup finals will share a total fund of 576 million dollars, including a prize-money pot of 358m with the winners taking home 35m, FIFA said on Thursday. The amount of money made available to the countries taking part has increased 37% from the 420m on offer at the 2010 finals in South Africa.
Friday, December 6th 2013 - 06:45 UTC
Brazilian authorities admit to have learnt from Confederations Cup protests

Brazilian authorities say they've learned from demonstrations during the Confederations Cup not to let protesters get too close to stadiums at the upcoming World Cup. Andrei Augusto Rodrigues, security head for major events at Brazil's justice ministry, acknowledged that police misjudged the threat to public safety at Rio de Janeiro in June at the final of the Confederations Cup, a World Cup warm-up.
Friday, December 6th 2013 - 06:38 UTC
Maracana, July1950, when Uruguay silenced 200.000 Brazilian fans at the Cup's final

Pele, the only person to win three World Cups as a player, said Brazil will enter next year’s tournament with more humility than when the country last hosted soccer’s greatest event in 1950. On 16 July that year Brazil was shocked 2-1 by Uruguay in the final game at Rio de Janeiro’s Maracana stadium in what is considered as a national tragedy by some Brazilians.
Friday, December 6th 2013 - 06:30 UTC
FIFA nervous about Cup stadiums; Brazil argues brides are never on time for marriage

Brazilian government has brushed aside the importance of more delays in completing 2014 World Cup stadiums, saying that missing FIFA's deadline will not affect the country's ability to successfully host next year's tournament.