Stories for October 2016

Sunday, October 30th 2016 - 22:44 UTC
US economy expands at its fastest pace in two years in the third quarter

The US economy grew at the fastest pace in two years in the third quarter, initial figures have indicated. The world's largest economy grew at an annual rate of 2.9% in the three months to September, the Commerce Department said. Analysts had predicted growth of just 2.5%.
Saturday, October 29th 2016 - 10:46 UTC
Post Brexit UK economy surprises and grows above expectations

The UK economy grew by 0.5% in the three months after the Brexit vote, the Office for National Statistics (ONS) has said. The figure for July to September was down from the 0.7% growth recorded in the second quarter of 2016 - the months before Britain voted to leave the European Union.
Saturday, October 29th 2016 - 10:39 UTC
UK retains three-year seat at the UN Human Rights Council

The UK on Friday was successful in its bid for election to the UN Human Rights Council for the term January 2017 – December 2019. This follows an eleven month campaign, resulting in a high number of votes from countries around the world.
Saturday, October 29th 2016 - 10:24 UTC
Falklands/Malvinas: Ibero-American summit supports Argentine claim and calls for dialogue with UK

Argentine foreign minister Susana Malcorra thanked countries attending the XXV IberoAmerian summit in Colombia for their support to Argentina's sovereignty claim over the Falklands/Malvinas Islands and the compliance of UN resolutions calling for dialogue with the UK. A brief release from the Argentine ministry said “we are grateful for the support we have received from the IberoAmerican space on the Malvinas question”.
Saturday, October 29th 2016 - 10:07 UTC
South Atlantic deep water seismic survey between YPF and Norway's Statoil

Argentina's oil company YPF and Norway's Statoil have signed a cooperation agreement to further gather information on Argentina's offshore potential. The accord was signed in Oslo between YPF CEO Ricardo Darré and Statoil Exploration vice president Tim Dodson.
Saturday, October 29th 2016 - 09:54 UTC
Jorge Batlle, Political Scion Who Led Uruguay, Dies at 88

By Sam Roberts, The New York Times

Jorge Batlle, the brash scion of a political dynasty who had been groomed to be president of Uruguay since he was a teenager, got elected to the post on his fifth try and then audaciously presided over a pro-American administration that survived a brush with bankruptcy, died on Monday in Montevideo. He was 88.
Friday, October 28th 2016 - 14:28 UTC
Falklands celebrating 30 years of the Fishery that transformed the Islands

The Falklands Islands are recalling a milestone decision for the development and transformation of the economy of the country. On October 29, 1986 a Proclamation declaring the Interim Falklands Conservation and Management Zone was signed by Governor Gordon Jewkes. Director of Natural Resources, John Barton pointed out at a presentation on Wednesday evening to mark 30 years of Falkland Fisheries.
Friday, October 28th 2016 - 13:47 UTC
Major victory for protection of the Southern Ocean

The Antarctic Ocean Alliance applauds the momentous agreement by Members of the Commission for the Conservation of Antarctic Marine Living Resources (CCAMLR) to safeguard 1.55 million km2 of the Ross Sea in the Southern Ocean.
Friday, October 28th 2016 - 13:28 UTC
Milestone agreement to create world's largest marine sanctuary in Antarctica

The world's largest marine reserve aimed at protecting the pristine wilderness of Antarctica will be created after a “momentous” agreement was finally reached Friday, with Russia dropping its long-held opposition. The deal, sealed by the Conservation of Antarctic Marine Living Resources (CCAMLR) at an annual meeting in Hobart after years of negotiations, will see a massive US and New Zealand-backed marine protected area established in the Ross Sea.
Friday, October 28th 2016 - 12:23 UTC
Renewable energy overtakes coal in electricity generation capacity; half a million solar panels installed every day

The International Energy Agency said in its latest report that last year the world's capacity to generate electricity from renewable sources has now overtaken coal, and renewable accounted for more than half of the increase in power capacity.