Stories for March 8th 2019

Friday, March 8th 2019 - 10:25 UTC
PM May pressures Brussels to help her make Parliament approve a Brexit deal

Prime Minister Theresa May was to pile the pressure on Brussels this Friday, saying their willingness to budge could determine whether British MPs finally back a Brexit deal next week. May was to say the European Union had some choices to make if it wanted to secure a withdrawal agreement and see Britain leave the bloc in an orderly fashion on March 29.
Friday, March 8th 2019 - 10:17 UTC
Not much to celebrate on Women's Day in Spain

Global campaigners are showcasing events to mark Women's Day on Friday (March 8) with the slogan 'a balanced world is a better world' - but in Spain, the gender equality debate is sowing divisions that appear deeper than ever.
Friday, March 8th 2019 - 09:15 UTC
Euro zone interest rates frozen for twelve months given overall slowdown

Interest rates in the Euro zone will not rise until next year at the earliest, the European Central Bank has signaled amid evidence of a slowdown in the 19 countries using the single currency. The ECB also unveiled a round of fresh stimulus, offering banks cheap loans to try to help revive the economy.
Friday, March 8th 2019 - 09:11 UTC
Premier Oil reports 2018 profit as a result of record production

UK-based oil and gas firm Premier Oil with interests in the Falkland Islands has announced its full-year results for 2018, reporting a post-tax profit hike to US$ 133.4m as a result of record production. These full-year results are a ‘return to profitability’ from 2017’s full-year loss of US$ 253.8m.
Friday, March 8th 2019 - 09:07 UTC
HMS Protector comes across an iceberg of 11 miles long and five wide

The Royal Navy’s Antarctic patrol ship encountered an iceberg the size of Bristol as she began her final scientific mission of the season. HMS Protector came across the enormous mass of ice and snow – 11 miles long and five wide – as she returned to the frozen continent for the last time this winter – or summer as it is in the Southern Hemisphere.
Friday, March 8th 2019 - 09:05 UTC
China's exports tumble 21% during February, largest decline since 2016

China's exports tumbled the most in three years in February while imports fell for a third straight month, pointing to a further slowdown in the economy despite a spate of support measures.
Friday, March 8th 2019 - 09:02 UTC
Royal Navy has a new Fleet Commander, Vice Admiral Jerry Kyd

The Royal Navy’s new Fleet Commander has been formally appointed with a ceremony on board HMS Queen Elizabeth in Portsmouth. Vice Admiral Jerry Kyd takes up the role from outgoing Fleet Commander Vice Admiral Ben Key who is to become the Chief of Joint Operations at PJHQ, Northwood.
Friday, March 8th 2019 - 08:58 UTC
Argentina's Peso hit a record low to the dollar weakening 4%

Argentina’s struggling currency hit a record low against the dollar on Thursday, weakening over 4% to close at 42.5 pesos per dollar, a challenge for President Mauricio Macri as he looks to right the economy ahead of elections in October.
Friday, March 8th 2019 - 08:54 UTC
Antarctic tour vessels help solve killer whale mystery

Scientists finally come face to face with elusive mammals after years of research into a theory about ‘Type D’ killer whale in sub-Antarctic waters
Friday, March 8th 2019 - 08:44 UTC
Major blackout in Venezuela; Caracas in complete darkness: “light will return when Maduro is removed”

Most of Venezuela has been hit by a continuing electricity blackout that began on Thursday afternoon. The power cut plunged the capital Caracas into almost complete darkness during rush hour and has extended to the vast majority of the country.