International

• Monday, December 9th 2013 - 11:07 UTC

  Gibraltar new governor ratifies UK full support, self determination and dialogue with Spain

  

  In previous years the arrival to Gibraltar of a new Governor by sea was part of the pageantry and tradition the Rock had come to expect - but sailing in on flagship HMS Bulwark after a sovereignty patrol of British waters, Lieutenant General Sir James Dutton captured Gibraltarians hearts and souls.

• Saturday, December 7th 2013 - 06:51 UTC

  Following marathon negotiations WTO reaches global deal to boost commerce

  

  The World Trade Organization has agreed its first ever global deal aimed at boosting commerce. The agreement reached in Bali, Indonesia, simplifies trade procedures and also makes it easier for the poorest countries to sell their goods.

• Saturday, December 7th 2013 - 05:56 UTC

  UK considers drawing a historic parallel between Gibraltar and Spain's Ceuta and Melilla

  

  The British Government drew a historic parallel between Gibraltar and Spain’s north African enclaves in a parliamentary response this week. While recognizing that Ceuta and Melilla had a different constitutional relationship with Spain, Europe Minister David Lidington said the enclaves and Gibraltar both stemmed from “a distinct set of historical circumstances.”

• Friday, December 6th 2013 - 23:31 UTC

  Despite strong signs of recovery, Bank of England leaves interest rates unchanged

  

  The Bank of England held interest rates at a record low once more this week in spite of mounting optimism over the UK recovery. A flurry of encouraging signs on the UK economy has fuelled expectations for growth to pick up to around 1% this quarter.

• Friday, December 6th 2013 - 23:27 UTC

  Falklands' flag flying at half mast in honour of Nelson Mandela

  

  In a statement released Friday afternoon, the Falkland Islands Government has said it was saddened to learn of the passing of former South African President Nelson Mandela yesterday.

• Friday, December 6th 2013 - 23:16 UTC

  Europe demanding a decision from Mercosur on advancing the trade talks

  

  The European Commission president Jose Manuel Barroso called on Mercosur to decide whether it wishes to advance in trade talks with the European Union jointly, as a block, and suggested the idea of a 'two-speed negotiation', since it is clear that Brazil is interested in advancing and wants to reach an agreement.

• Friday, December 6th 2013 - 07:10 UTC

  World joins in grief and admiration for South Africa's greatest, Madiba

  

  Former South African president and hero of the anti-apartheid movement, Nelson Mandela, has passed away in his home following a long fight against illness, current head of state Jacob Zuma revealed on Thursday in a press conference.

• Friday, December 6th 2013 - 06:57 UTC

  FIFA announces 358m dollars of prize money for the 2014 Cup

  

  The 32 teams at next year's World Cup finals will share a total fund of 576 million dollars, including a prize-money pot of 358m with the winners taking home 35m, FIFA said on Thursday. The amount of money made available to the countries taking part has increased 37% from the 420m on offer at the 2010 finals in South Africa.

• Friday, December 6th 2013 - 06:45 UTC

  Brazilian authorities admit to have learnt from Confederations Cup protests

  

  Brazilian authorities say they've learned from demonstrations during the Confederations Cup not to let protesters get too close to stadiums at the upcoming World Cup. Andrei Augusto Rodrigues, security head for major events at Brazil's justice ministry, acknowledged that police misjudged the threat to public safety at Rio de Janeiro in June at the final of the Confederations Cup, a World Cup warm-up.

• Friday, December 6th 2013 - 06:38 UTC

  Maracana, July1950, when Uruguay silenced 200.000 Brazilian fans at the Cup's final

  

  Pele, the only person to win three World Cups as a player, said Brazil will enter next year’s tournament with more humility than when the country last hosted soccer’s greatest event in 1950. On 16 July that year Brazil was shocked 2-1 by Uruguay in the final game at Rio de Janeiro’s Maracana stadium in what is considered as a national tragedy by some Brazilians.