Stories for February 2017

Wednesday, February 8th 2017 - 10:28 UTC
British government manages to avoid conditions to the Brexit bill

The British government has seen off an attempt to add conditions to its Brexit bill as a Conservative rebellion was avoided. MPs rejected a bid by Labour's Chris Leslie to force the government to consult Parliament on the deal struck with the EU before it is finalized. It came after ministers pledged that a “meaningful” vote would be offered.
Wednesday, February 8th 2017 - 10:17 UTC
Falklands' oil exploration: Rockhopper announces investments in Sea Lion

Rockhopper Exploration plc has provided its latest operational and corporate update which includes the North Falkland Basin Sea Lion project and has announced that the technical engineering is approaching conclusion and a settlement on the Eirik Raude rig dispute has been reached.
Wednesday, February 8th 2017 - 10:01 UTC
Falklands attends UKOTs Brexit implications forum in London

British Overseas Territories representatives, including from the Falkland Islands held a two-day meeting in London to address Brexit implications such as development funds, tariff free fish exports and the right to travel freely through the European Union. The meeting was in the framework of Prime Minister Theresa May's administration initiative to involve all parts of the UK in preparing for the crucial negotiations.
Wednesday, February 8th 2017 - 08:02 UTC
Macri and Temer agree to open Mercosur and to closer ties with Mexico

The leaders of Brazil and Argentina said on Tuesday they would pursue closer ties with Mexico and other Latin American nations alarmed by U.S. President Donald Trump's promises to tear apart trade deals and build a wall in the Mexican border to protect American jobs.
Tuesday, February 7th 2017 - 08:24 UTC
Maduro wants to involve the Pope in restarting talks with Venezuelan opposition

The president of Venezuela Nicolas Maduro is working to set up a meeting with Pope Francis in hopes of restarting talks with the Venezuelan opposition. Maduro is reportedly hoping to meet with the Pope at the Vatican, along with representatives from his opposition.
Tuesday, February 7th 2017 - 07:02 UTC
Malvinas sovereignty: UK officials and Parliament members were willing to listen to Argentina's claim

British officials and members of Parliament were “more understanding and willing to listen to Argentina's claim over the Malvinas Islands” according to congress member Margarita Stolbizer who recently visited London and Scotland as part of a delegation of Argentine lawmakers.
Monday, February 6th 2017 - 23:00 UTC
Crop destroying caterpillar rapidly spreading across Africa; maize production endangered

New research announced by scientists at CABI (Center for Agriculture and Bioscience Information) confirms that a recently introduced crop-destroying armyworm caterpillar is now spreading rapidly across Mainland Africa and could spread to tropical Asia and the Mediterranean in the next few years, becoming a major threat to agricultural trade worldwide.
Monday, February 6th 2017 - 22:42 UTC
Crime and violence cost Latin America and the Caribbean 3.55% of GDP

A study by the Inter-American Development Bank (IDB) estimates the direct annual cost of crime and violence in Latin America and the Caribbean at US$261 billion or 3.55% of GDP, roughly what the region invests on infrastructure and double the average cost for developed countries. It is also the equivalent income for 30% of the poorest population, underscoring the grave development impact violence has on the region.
Monday, February 6th 2017 - 22:08 UTC
Uruguayan president and business delegation begin tour of Germany, Finland and Russia

Uruguayan president Tabare Vazquez, six cabinet ministers and a numerous business delegation begin on Monday a two weeks official tour of Germany, Finland and Russia to increase political and trade links, particularly in the “new international scenario” and hopefully advancing in locking the long delayed accord between the European Union and Mercosur.
Monday, February 6th 2017 - 10:17 UTC
Judge rejects Trump's travel ban appeal; new hearing on Monday

Donald Trump has ramped up his criticism of the federal judges who suspended his travel ban. It comes after other judges rejected his appeal to have his executive order immediately reinstated.