International

• Thursday, February 9th 2017 - 15:45 UTC

  Cereal prices continue to rise despite improved supplies, says FAO

  

  The FAO Food Price Index averaged 173.8 in January, its highest value in almost two years, marking a 2.1% increase from its revised December value and 16.4% above its 2016 January level. The FAO Sugar Price Index surged 9.9% in the month, driven by expectations of protracted supply tightness in Brazil, India and Thailand.

• Thursday, February 9th 2017 - 07:28 UTC

  Brexit bill unchanged moves to House of Lords; Scots reprimanded for singing the EU national anthem

  

  Members of Parliament have overwhelmingly agreed to let the government begin the UK's departure from the EU as they voted for the Brexit bill. The draft legislation was approved by 494 votes to 122, and now moves to the House of Lords.

• Wednesday, February 8th 2017 - 11:20 UTC

  Rajoy speaks to Trump and offers to act as a link with Latin American countries

  

  United States President Donald Trump has expressed his commitment to NATO and bilateral cooperation with Spain during a telephone call with Spanish Prime Minister Mariano Rajoy, a media report said on Wednesday. They also discussed the fight against the terrorist group Islamic State (IS), and Spain's role as potential bridge with Latin American countries and Europe.

• Wednesday, February 8th 2017 - 10:49 UTC

  Scottish Parliament opposes UK government starting the Brexit process

  

  The Scottish Parliament has voted by 90 to 34 to oppose the UK government starting the Brexit process. The Supreme Court ruled last month that there was no legal need for Holyrood to give its consent to the triggering of Article 50, but First Minister Nicola Sturgeon said she would let MSPs have a say, despite it being largely symbolic.

• 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 - 10:01 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.

• 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 - 22:08 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.