Roman Catholic Church cardinals will file into the 15th-century Sistine Chapel on Tuesday to begin their secret election of a successor to retired Pope Benedict XVI. Cardinals under the voting-age limit of 80, totaling 115 are scheduled to begin their conclave at 4:30 p.m. in Rome after asking for God’s guidance at a mass in St. Peter’s Basilica.
The International Observation Mission (RIOM) congratulated the Falklands for the ‘free and fair referendum process’ reflecting the democratic will of the Falkland Islanders voters, and for its execution in accordance with international standards and local laws.
As was anticipated 99.8% of Falkland Islanders voted to maintain the current political status of the Islands as a British Overseas Territory, it was announced late Monday evening by the local electoral authorities.
The following opinion column from Argentine ambassador Alicia Castro in UK was published Monday in The Guardian.
For the first time in its sixty-four year history, the Commonwealth will have a formal Charter setting out its core values.
Britain's Queen Elizabeth cancelled an official engagement on Monday due to illness following her recent hospitalization with symptoms of gastroenteritis but there is no serious concern about her health, officials said.
“What lies at the heart of our Commonwealth approach is individuals and communities finding ways to strive together to create a better future that is beneficial for all” said the official Queen Elizabeth Commonwealth message celebrated on Monday.
There is no doubt that the Falkland Islanders have the right to self-determination, a visiting professor of politics told a public meeting held in the capital Stanley at the Chamber of Commerce last Friday.
British Prime Minister David Cameron warned that Britain “will protect” the people of the Falkland Islands from the “intimidation and threats” of Argentina, which claims sovereignty of the South Atlantic archipelago
China's inflation rate hit a 10-month high in February, as Lunar New Year festivities drove up food prices. Consumer prices rose 3.2% from a year earlier, with food prices up by 6%. Likewise exports rose more than expected in February, probably indicating that the Chinese economy could be in an upturn.