Stories for October 2017

Thursday, October 5th 2017 - 10:15 UTC
Growing number of Chinese tourists visit Antarctica, but with carbon credits

The number of Chinese visitors to the Antarctic Peninsula is growing rapidly, adding to concerns over the fragile ecosystem. It’s almost a three-week trip and will cost at least 100,000 Yuan (US$15,000), and before a foot is set on frozen land, special boots are needed to walk over a sponge mat soaked in disinfectant. Besides this season Chinese tourists will have to purchase carbon credits to offset emissions.
Thursday, October 5th 2017 - 10:07 UTC
Bank of England's countdown for a Brexit transition deal: Christmas

United Kingdom and Europe must agree on a Brexit transition deal by Christmas or risk banks triggering their contingency plans, the Bank of England has warned. Deputy governor Sam Woods said that while the UK is committed to a implementation period, the EU's position “is not yet clear”.
Thursday, October 5th 2017 - 09:31 UTC
Brexit will hit Britain’s overseas territories hard – why is no one talking about it?

When the Brexit referendum result was announced last June, I was working on the Turks and Caicos Islands, one of the UK’s overseas territories in the Caribbean. A collection of about 40 tropical islands, of which eight are inhabited, people there were shocked at the result. They were annoyed they hadn’t had a chance to vote, and concerned about their future.
Thursday, October 5th 2017 - 09:23 UTC
The next big offshore boom is about to happen...in Brazil

By Irina Slav for Oilprice.com - Say what you will about offshore oil and gas exploration, but it's still alive and kicking—high production costs and all. The latest demonstration of the viability of deepwater projects, even in the post-2014 oil industry era, comes from none other than Brazil.
Thursday, October 5th 2017 - 08:49 UTC
British Embassy Buenos Aires holds reception to honor five World War II veterans.

Battle of Britain Sunday commemorates the great victory won by the Royal Air Force (RAF), which saved Britain from invasion in 1940. On Sunday 15 September came what Sir Winston Churchill called “one of the decisive battles of the war” and with it, the Luftwaffe’s greatest defeat.
Thursday, October 5th 2017 - 08:36 UTC
Caribbean Islands open and fully operational for cruise passengers

More than 40 islands visited by cruise ships on Caribbean itineraries have a message they want to share: They are open, fully operational, welcoming ships full of cruise passengers and hoping more will follow. Included are places that saw some damage from the September hurricanes but have already recovered.
Thursday, October 5th 2017 - 08:25 UTC
Tories rally round Theresa May in Manchester, but doubts about her future linger

Tory MPs have rallied round Theresa May after her conference speech on Wednesday was marred by mishaps. James Cleverly said he was “proud” of the PM for contending with a persistent cough and a prankster and John Redwood said MPs backed her “strong message”.
Thursday, October 5th 2017 - 08:18 UTC
Argentina, Uruguay and Paraguay launch bid to host the 2030 World Cup

Argentina, Uruguay and Paraguay formally launched South America’s three-nation bid to host the 2030 World Cup on Wednesday and said Argentina would likely host the majority of the tournament’s stadiums. The presidents of the three nations, who announced in August that they were teaming up to bid for the tournament, kicked off the campaign at the Casa Rosada, Buenos Aires’ government palace.
Thursday, October 5th 2017 - 08:11 UTC
European Commission supports Madrid: “Catalonia has chosen to ignore the law”

Three full days after Catalonia’s controversial independence referendum, a top European Commission official finally spoke out about the issue tearing Spain apart. The Spanish government’s “proportionate use of force” was necessary to uphold the rule of law, Vice President Frans Timmermans said.
Wednesday, October 4th 2017 - 13:20 UTC
Chancellor Hammond acknowledges private sector needs more clarity on Brexit

Businesses need more clarity on Brexit, the Chancellor, Philip Hammond, has acknowledged. Speaking at the BBC's Today program he said the sooner the government gave businesses more certainty about the process, the sooner the economy would pick up.