Stories for July 12th 2017

Wednesday, July 12th 2017 - 21:55 UTC
Gibraltar flag on display outside of Parliament as Spanish King begins London visit

A flag of Gibraltar (and Falkland Islands) was on display outside the Houses of Parliament as King Felipe of Spain arrived in London for his state visit. The red-and-white banner, bearing a red castle and golden key, was placed at the centre of a row of flags of the British overseas territories and dependencies in Parliament Square.
Wednesday, July 12th 2017 - 21:26 UTC
Brexit divorce bill: “I’m not hearing any whistling, just the clock ticking” says EU chief negotiator

European Union’s chief Brexit negotiator has slapped down Boris Johnson over his claim that Brussels could “go whistle” if it expected large sums from Britain as part of the withdrawal agreement.
Wednesday, July 12th 2017 - 20:56 UTC
Queen and Phillip formally welcome Felipe and Letizia at Horse Guards Parade

The Queen and the Duke of Edinburgh on Wednesday formally welcomed the King of Spain to the UK with a military spectacle full of pomp and pageantry. Britain’s head of state and Philip warmly shook hands with King Felipe VI and his wife, Queen Letizia, at Horse Guards Parade, Henry VIII’s former jousting yard.
Wednesday, July 12th 2017 - 20:41 UTC
China opens its first overseas military base in the Horn of Africa

Ships carrying personnel for China's first overseas military base, in Djibouti in the Horn of Africa, have set sail to begin setting up the facility, as China's rapidly modernizing military extends its global reach.
Wednesday, July 12th 2017 - 20:25 UTC
Prosecutor is seeking jail for ex Peruvian president and wife charged with Odebrecht bribe

A prosecutor in Peru is seeking up to 18 months in jail for former president Ollanta Humala and his wife Nadine Heredia to keep them from fleeing the country while money laundering charges are prepared against them, according to a request made public on Tuesday.
Wednesday, July 12th 2017 - 20:12 UTC
Premier and partners make world class oil discovery in Mexico. Shares soar more than 30%

Premier Oil (with strong interests in Falklands' oil industry), together with its joint venture partners Talos Energy (Operator) and Sierra Oil & Gas, announced on Wednesday that the Zama-1 exploration well in Block 7, offshore Mexico, has made a world class oil discovery.
Wednesday, July 12th 2017 - 18:27 UTC
Brazil: Former President Lula da Silva found guilty of corruption

Former Brazilian leader Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva, who rose from childhood poverty to become a two-term president, was convicted on corruption charges on Wednesday in the first of five graft trials he faces.He was sentenced to nine and a half years in prison. He will remain free on appeal.
Wednesday, July 12th 2017 - 06:38 UTC
Boost for Temer: Congress approves overhaul of Brazil's labor laws

The Brazilian Senate gave final congressional approval to an unpopular overhaul of the country's labor laws on Tuesday night, providing crucial political support to embattled President Michel Temer as he fights a damaging corruption accusation.
Wednesday, July 12th 2017 - 06:02 UTC
British couple will make history this weekend when they marry at Antarctica's Rothera Station

British couple will make history this weekend when they become the first to tie the knot in the British Antarctic Territory. Bride-to-be Julie Baum and her groom Tom Sylvester will take their vows at the icy cold Rothera Research Station, almost 2,000 miles south of the Falkland Islands.
Wednesday, July 12th 2017 - 05:51 UTC
Exit Brexit secretary laughs at Johnson's comments; Corbyn calls them silly arrogant remarks

UK is already challenging Brussels over its Brexit divorce bill plans, David Davis has said as he laughed off concerns about Boris Johnson’s controversial suggestion the EU could “go whistle” if it makes “extortionate” demands.