The Spanish delegation arrived in Buenos Aires as favourites to host the 2020 Olympics in Madrid. They had top credentials: the future King (Prince Felipe) himself a sports enthusiast; the least demanding and irritating budget, (based on Brazil’s ongoing experience) and ample public opinion support in Spain despite the economic situation and record unemployment.
Spanish Prime Minister Mariano Rajoy signalled on Friday that the ‘foundation for dialogue’ with the UK and Gibraltar had now been laid. Rajoy was speaking after two meetings with UK Prime Minister David Cameron on the margins of the G20 summit meeting in St Petersburg.
Tokyo was awarded the 2020 Olympics on Saturday, capitalizing on its reputation as a safe pair of hands and defying concerns about the Fukushima nuclear crisis. Tokyo defeated Istanbul 60-36 in the final round of secret voting Saturday by the International Olympic Committee. Madrid was eliminated earlier after an initial tie with Istanbul.
From the Fukushima nuclear leak to the war in Syria to Europe's economic crisis, the choice of the host city for the 2020 Olympics is fraught with risks. Picking the site with the least risks shapes up as the challenge for the International Olympic Committee on Saturday in a tight three-city contest that members say is too close to call.
Close cooperation between Interpol and Norway has led to the publication of the first Purple Notice for a vessel believed to be engaged in illegal fishing activities. Issued in all 190 Interpol member countries, the Purple Notice seeks information on the fishing vessel “Snake”, which has changed its name and registration multiple times in past years to avoid detection.
The Commonwealth Parliamentary Association during its conference in Johannesburg noted a motion recognising the Falkland Islands Referendum as a free and fair expression of the Falkland Islanders wishes and their right to Self-Determination.
Delegates at the 59th Commonwealth Parliamentary Conference in South Africa, including Falklands’ delegates approved a motion expressing strong support for Gibraltar and denouncing Spanish political pressure on the Rock as “totally unacceptable”.
A large group of UK peers, Members of Parliament and Members of the European Parliament will attend Gibraltar’s National Day, next week, has been released. On Thursday a long list of representatives from other Overseas Territories including MLA Ian Hansen from the Falkland Islands was announced.
While Spanish PM Mariano Rajoy held a one-to-one meeting with his British counterpart David Cameron on the G20 Summit sidelines in Russia to discuss the Gibraltar sovereignty dispute, officials of the British overseas territory accused Madrid of setting a “pre-war environment.”
With faces covered, flags and sticks the Argentine fundamentalist group Quebracho staged a protest in front of Buenos Aires Colon Opera House where the opening ceremony of the International Olympic Committee took place on Friday evening and which includes among its members Princess Anne.