Stories for 2017

Friday, November 3rd 2017 - 07:37 UTC
Bank of England's first interest rate increase in a decade; Brexit impact hovers over future decisions

The Bank of England has raised interest rates for the first time in a decade to contain an increase in inflation stoked by the Brexit vote, in what is otherwise a moment of high uncertainty for the economy. In a statement Thursday, the bank said it had lifted its benchmark rate, which affects the cost of loans and savings rates in the wider economy, to 0.50% from the record low of 0.25%.
Friday, November 3rd 2017 - 07:25 UTC
Falklands calamari prices recover significantly as second season catch is below market expectations

Recent reports in trade journals that abundant catches during 2017 were depressing Falkland Islands loligo prices were challenged this week by local sources concerned with the fishing industry.
Friday, November 3rd 2017 - 07:08 UTC
Brazilian electorate divided on Lula: half want him as president and the other half in jail

Half of Brazilians want former President Lula da Silva to win next year's election and return to the office he occupied between 2003 and 2010. The other half wants him in prison for a corruption conviction.
Friday, November 3rd 2017 - 07:02 UTC
'Cronus' Williamson new Defense Secretary: strength or weakness of PM May's cabinet?

British Prime Minister Theresa May named Gavin Williamson defence secretary on Thursday after his predecessor, Michael Fallon, became the first casualty of a deepening scandal in British politics. Williamson, 41, is a trusted ally of the prime minister whose former job as chief whip involved enforcing discipline for May's Conservative Party in parliament.
Thursday, November 2nd 2017 - 11:34 UTC
PM May and Netanyahu mark centenary of the contentious Balfour Declaration

PM Theresa May is to host her Israeli counterpart as part of events marking the centenary of a British pledge which paved the way for Israel's creation. Benjamin Netanyahu's visit comes on the 100th anniversary of the Balfour Declaration of British support for a Jewish national home in Palestine.
Thursday, November 2nd 2017 - 09:01 UTC
The silent majority of Catalonia and the December 21st election-referendum

By Gwynne Dyer - It's been going on for a while. “Recently in Catalonia we have been living through a kind of 'soft' totalitarianism...the illusion of unanimity created by the fear of expressing dissent,” wrote best-selling Catalan author Javier Cercas in the Spanish newspaper El País in 2014. Those who didn't want independence kept their heads down and their mouths shut, in other words.
Thursday, November 2nd 2017 - 08:49 UTC
London could lose 75.000 financial services jobs by 2019, when UK leaves the EU

The Bank of England expects Britain to lose up to 75,000 financial services jobs in the years after its departure from the European Union in 2019, the BBC reported. London dominates global currency trading and is Europe’s main finance hub.
Thursday, November 2nd 2017 - 08:31 UTC
Fallon resigns saying his behavior “has fallen short”, and argues “culture has changed over the years”

Defense Secretary Sir Michael Fallon has resigned, saying his behavior may have “fallen short” of the standards expected by the UK military. He told the BBC that what had been “acceptable 15, 10 years ago is clearly not acceptable now”.Fallon is the first politician to quit following recently revealed claims of serious sexual abuse in Parliament.
Thursday, November 2nd 2017 - 08:19 UTC
Falklands announces appointment of next Attorney General

The Falkland Islands Government announced on Wednesday the appointment of Simon Young as the next Attorney General of the Falkland Islands. Mr. Young, is due to arrive in early December and will be coming to the Islands with his wife Claire and their three sons.
Thursday, November 2nd 2017 - 08:12 UTC
Trump expected to announce “centrist” Jerome Powell, as next head of the Fed

President Donald Trump has said he will announce on Thursday his choice to lead the seven/member Federal Reserve board beginning in February. Jerome Powell, a Fed board member, is assumed to be the top contender and Trump anticipated that “I think you will be extremely impressed by this person”.