Politics

• Sunday, May 14th 2017 - 08:53 UTC

  Brazil retail sales plunge in March; government insists economy will be positive in first quarter

  

  Retail sales in Brazil unexpectedly fell in March at the steepest monthly rate in 14 years, strengthening bets on a bolder interest rate cut at the end of this month. Sales volumes excluding cars and building materials fell 1.9% in March from February, government statistics agency IBGE said. Sales fell 4.0% from the year-earlier period.

• Saturday, May 13th 2017 - 08:31 UTC

  Reefer stranded in South Atlantic towed outside Falklands Conservation zone

  

  The reefer stranded in the South Atlantic after she was abandoned by the crew given its precarious situation caused by serious flooding of its holds, has been towed outside the Falkland Islands Outer Conservation Zone, according to the latest report from Baltmed Reefer Services operator of “Uruguay Reefer”.

• Friday, May 12th 2017 - 13:58 UTC

  Large caches of weapons in Venezuela, “a real threat” as repression increases

  

  Venezuela has large caches of weapons that are at risk of falling into the wrong hands, the head of the Central Intelligence Agency told a Senate panel Thursday, adding, “It's a real threat.” CIA Director Mike Pompeo shared that assessment at a Senate intelligence committee hearing.

• Friday, May 12th 2017 - 09:15 UTC

  Brazilian public opinion remains deeply divided on Lula: strong support but also highest rejection rate

  

  Ex Brazilian President Lula da Silva's combative testimony before a federal judge this week did little to dismantle the graft case against him and improve his chances of securing a new term in office. Lula, a founder of the leftist Workers Party (PT) that controlled Brazil's presidency from 2003 until last year, can only run in next year's presidential election if he avoids a conviction that is upheld on appeal.

• Friday, May 12th 2017 - 08:49 UTC

  Gibraltar's Attorney General appointed to FIFA's Ethics Committee

  

  The Government of Gibraltar has warmly congratulated Michael Llamas QC upon his appointment as Europe's representative in the highly prestigious and important Ethics Committee of FIFA. Llamas joins other highly distinguished lawyers and judges who will form part of the Ethics Committee. These include a former President of the Court of Justice of the European Union.

• Friday, May 12th 2017 - 08:21 UTC

  Royals at centenary service in the Falklands Memorial Chapel

  

  Queen Elizabeth attended a centenary service in the Falkland Islands Memorial Chapel at Pangbourne College on Tuesday (May 9). The Duke of Edinburgh accompanied her in his first public engagement since announcing his retirement.

• Friday, May 12th 2017 - 07:52 UTC

  Theresa May campaigning after working-class voters “abandoned by Labour”

  

  Conservative PM Theresa May will claim Labour has “deserted” working-class voters as she campaigns in the north east of England on Friday. She will pledge to campaign “in all corners” of the UK to reach those who have been “abandoned by Labour”.

• Friday, May 12th 2017 - 07:23 UTC

  IAATO appoints New Executive Director, Dr Damon Stanwell-Smith

  

  The International Association of Antarctica Tour Operators (IAATO) has announced the appointment of Dr. Damon Stanwell-Smith as Executive Director. Damon will lead the Secretariat and work with IAATO’s Executive Committee to ensure the association is functioning according to its mission of safe, environmentally responsible private-sector travel to Antarctica.

• Friday, May 12th 2017 - 06:59 UTC

  IAATO members vote to develop an Antarctic conservation plan

  

  Members of the International Association of Antarctica Tour Operators (IAATO) have agreed to develop a science based conservation plan for the Antarctic Peninsula in collaboration with the Scientific Committee on Antarctic Research (SCAR) to support decision making for tourism management.

• Thursday, May 11th 2017 - 13:54 UTC

  FBI chief fired after refusing to preview with Trump officials his testimony to the Senate

  

  Anger behind president Donald Trump's firing of FBI Director James Comey on Tuesday had been building for months, but a turning point came when Comey refused to preview for top Trump aides his planned testimony to a Senate panel, White House officials said.