Stories for April 9th 2014

Wednesday, April 9th 2014 - 19:44 UTC
Renewable energy keeps advancing despite a drop in overall investment

Renewable energy's share of world electricity generation continued its steady climb last year despite a 14% drop in investments to 214.4 billion dollars, according to a new report released on Monday and produced by the Frankfurt School-UNEP Collaborating Centre for Climate & Sustainable Energy Finance, the United Nations Environment Program (UNEP) and Bloomberg New Energy Finance.
Wednesday, April 9th 2014 - 17:26 UTC
HMS Portland, first Royal Navy visit to Sao Tomé and Príncipe in 29 years

HMS Portland on Atlantic patrol, became the first Royal Navy Ship to visit São Tomé and Príncipe in 29 years when she anchored off the islands for a two day visit. The last Royal Navy Ship to visit the former Portuguese colony was the survey vessel HMS Herald in 1985. Prior to that, the last recorded visit of a Royal Naval Warship was in 1889.
Wednesday, April 9th 2014 - 07:29 UTC
IMF joins Argentine GDP linked bonds controversy involving potential payment of 3bn dollars

The International Monetary Fund reported on Monday a steep deceleration of Argentina’s economic activity for 2014, in a context of “high uncertainty”, according to its latest World Economic Outlook released in Washington.
Wednesday, April 9th 2014 - 07:19 UTC
President Higgins visit to UK consolidates reconciliation after decades of mistrust

Queen Elizabeth II welcomed the Irish president to Britain on Tuesday for the first time since the republic became independent with a banquet also controversially attended by former IRA commander Martin Guinness.
Wednesday, April 9th 2014 - 07:13 UTC
Lightning storms kill more than 60 cows in southern Chile

Ranchers in southern Chile say a series of lightning strikes has killed more than 60 of their dairy cows, costing the cattle owners thousands of dollars. Torrential storms and lightning on Sunday spawned the strikes in south-central Chile.
Wednesday, April 9th 2014 - 07:08 UTC
Gibraltar 'close to British hearts', but plenty of room for 'practical dialogue'

UK Ambassador to Spain, Simon Manley has told a Spanish newspaper that British people hold Gibraltar ‘close to their hearts’ and that delays at the border are politically motivated. He underscored Britain and Gibraltar’s desire to engage in “practical” dialogue toward better cross-border relations that would benefit communities on either side of the frontier fence.
Wednesday, April 9th 2014 - 07:03 UTC
Algeciras mayor highlights 'English occupation' of Gibraltar and the Falklands

The mayor of the Spanish town of Algeciras, Jose Ignacio Landaluce flew back this weekend from Argentina, where he had attended a twinning ceremony with Rio Grande, Tierra del Fuego that sought to highlight the ‘English occupation’ of Gibraltar and the Falkland Islands.
Wednesday, April 9th 2014 - 06:52 UTC
Latest storms and rainy weather could cost Argentina 3 million tons of soybeans

Argentina's crop of soybeans and cereals, and the country's main source of hard currency is threatened by the last few days storms of pouring rainfall, flash floods and mud slides that have punished at least seven provinces. Argentina is one of the world's main suppliers of grains.
Wednesday, April 9th 2014 - 06:48 UTC
Osborne launches with Mantega Brazil/UK 'economic and financial dialogue'

Finance minister Guido Mantega and Chancellor of the Exchequer George Osborne announced on Tuesday in Sao Paulo the launching of the Brazil/UK Economic and Financial Dialogue to strengthen bilateral trade and cooperation, and investment in infrastrucutre, according to a joint release.
Wednesday, April 9th 2014 - 06:37 UTC
Chancellor welcomes insurer’s plans to boost Brazilian activity

Chancellor of the Exchequer George Osborne welcomed the decision by insurer Hiscox to join the Lloyd’s Brazil reinsurance platform during his current trip to Brazil. This will allow Hiscox to grow its Brazilian business, enabling it to talk directly to potential customers and better understand the local market.