Stories for September 18th 2017

Monday, September 18th 2017 - 10:41 UTC
Scottish government supports Catalonia's right to decide its future

The people of Catalonia should determine its future, the Scottish government has said. The region's government has insisted a referendum on independence from Spain will go ahead on 1 October. Madrid has vowed to block the vote, saying it is unconstitutional.
Monday, September 18th 2017 - 09:40 UTC
Washington considers closing embassy in Havana because of “sonic attacks”

The United States is considering closing its embassy in Cuba after diplomatic staff reported health problems which Washington blames on a “sonic attack”. Secretary of State Rex Tillerson said a decision whether to shut to the mission in Havana was “under evaluation”.
Monday, September 18th 2017 - 09:33 UTC
Spain pledges to keep border “fluidity” with Gibraltar following Brexit

Spain’s Minister for Foreign Affairs, Alfonso Dastis, sought to reassure cross-border workers during a visit to La Linea, insisting Madrid would work to minimize the impact of Brexit on Spanish citizens, “and very especially those from the Campo and La Linea” who cross every day to Gibraltar.
Monday, September 18th 2017 - 09:17 UTC
Lib/Dem a growing “plausible alternative” given Tories and Labour's disarray, says Sir Vince Cable

Liberal Democrat leader Sir Vince Cable has insisted he is a credible candidate to be the next prime minister. Despite heading a party with just 12 MPs, Sir Vince said he could replace Theresa May in Downing Street.
Monday, September 18th 2017 - 08:03 UTC
Falklands' flock reaches 490.113; West Falkland produces more wool per sheep than in the East

By Sharon Jaffray - The Falkland Islands flock reached 490.113 sheep of which 281.671 in East Falkland and 177.506 in the West plus 30.936 in the outer islands, according to the latest Farming Statistics 2016/2017, in accordance with the Agricultural Returns Ordinance. Likewise the number of cattle was 3.433.
Monday, September 18th 2017 - 07:43 UTC
EU and UK business leaders voice concern about slow pace of Brexit talks

Business leaders have voiced concern about the slow pace of Brexit negotiations, warning it could affect a constructive exit from the EU. BusinessEurope, an umbrella group representing business federations across Europe, said companies needed certainty and time to prepare for future arrangements.
Monday, September 18th 2017 - 07:35 UTC
UK's Blue Belt Initiative taken as reference at the International Marine Protected Areas congress in Chile

The British Embassy in Santiago participated this month with over 30 British delegates and a GREAT-branded stand at Impac4, the world’s largest Congress on International Marine Protected Areas held in La Serena, a city located in the north of Chile. The Congress, hosted by the Chilean Ministries of Foreign Affairs and Environment, was followed by a High Level meeting in the city of Viña del Mar, near Santiago, Chile’s capital.
Monday, September 18th 2017 - 07:07 UTC
Argentina receives in Vigo state of the art fisheries scientific research vessel

Argentina baptized and received on Saturday in Vigo, Spain a state of the art scientific fisheries research vessel which will be incorporated to Mar del Plata based INIDEP's (National Institute of Research and Fisheries Development) fleet of vessels involved in promoting a sustainable fishing industry.