Stories for November 13th 2013

Wednesday, November 13th 2013 - 19:49 UTC
HMS Richmond welcomes on board CBF Air Commodore La Forte

Commander British Forces South Atlantic Islands, Air Commodore Russell La Forte CBE, based in the Falkland Islands, MPA, was welcomed aboard HMS Richmond by Commanding Officer, Commander Robert G Pedre, and the ship’s company.
Wednesday, November 13th 2013 - 19:30 UTC
Latin America the most insecure region in the world suffers 'epidemic of violence'

Despite a decade of economic growth, Latin America is the most insecure region in the world, and an increase in crime on the continent has led to “an epidemic of violence” that is affecting growth, according to a report released by the UN Development Program. One in three Latin Americans reported being a victim of a violent crime in 2012, with the majority of the attacks being mainly robberies.
Wednesday, November 13th 2013 - 19:02 UTC
Spain warns “exhaustive checks” at border crossing with Gibraltar will continue

The Spanish Government warned on Tuesday that it would continue to implement exhaustive checks on vehicles and pedestrians crossing into Spain from Gibraltar.
Wednesday, November 13th 2013 - 18:52 UTC
Latin America's English proficiency ‘very low’

Despite a strong economy attracting new international business and increasing the need for multilingual professionals in the workforce, Chile remains one of the countries with the lowest levels of competency in English among adults worldwide, according to a study released Friday.
Wednesday, November 13th 2013 - 06:49 UTC
Paraguay normalizes relations with Venezuela and Brazil; Bolivia next

The new Paraguayan government of President Horacio Cartes is rapidly formalizing relations with its Mercosur partners. On Tuesday the ambassador that will represent the country in Venezuela, Enrique Jara took the oath of office, which in fact means full normalization of relations with the country ruled by Nicolas Maduro.The ceremony at Government House in Asunción was headed by President Cartes and cabinet members.
Wednesday, November 13th 2013 - 06:38 UTC
Falklands/Malvinas: Visiting MPs refuse to organize working group on the Islands sovereignty

A group of visiting British MPs and Lords refused to organize a working group over the issue of Falklands/Malvinas Islands sovereignty with their Argentine counterparts during a visit to Congress in Buenos Aires on Tuesday.
Wednesday, November 13th 2013 - 06:32 UTC
Britain dismisses suggestion of any bilateral negotiations with Spain on Gibraltar

The British Government has dismissed any suggestion of a return to bilateralism with Spain over Gibraltar. In a response to a question tabled in the House of Commons, Europe Minister David Lidington repeated Britain’s long-standing commitment to the people of Gibraltar over sovereignty.
Wednesday, November 13th 2013 - 06:27 UTC
Foreign Office analyzes OAS initiative on drugs policy: fears some Latam countries may dump coercive policies

The OAS’s June 2013 paper on the drugs problem in the Americas responded to a growing debate in Latin America and has been seen as groundbreaking. Its underlying message is that current approaches to drugs are not working and that change is needed. But there is no common view in the region on the way forward, according to a paper from the Foreign Office.
Wednesday, November 13th 2013 - 06:24 UTC
Guyana terms “illegal” and “spurious” Venezuela's claim over the Esequibo

Guyana's Minister of Foreign Affairs Carolyn Rodrigues-Birkett termed “illegal” and “spurious” Venezuela's claim over Essequibo, which is equivalent to a third of the former British colony territory.
Wednesday, November 13th 2013 - 06:22 UTC
New oil resources does not mean an era of abundance cautions IEA

Technology and high prices are opening up new oil resources, but this does not mean the world is on the verge of an era of oil abundance, according to the International Energy Agency’s (IEA) 2013 edition of the World Energy Outlook (WEO 2013).