International

• Monday, December 23rd 2024 - 07:59 UTC

  UK government backs Spanish shipbuilder Navitas deal to take over Harland and Wolff

  

  A UK Government-backed deal will see Spanish shipbuilding subsidiary Navantia UK buy out Harland and Wolff, securing the future of all four yards in the UK, including two in Scotland. The buy-out saves the jobs of 350 skilled workers at the company’s sites in Methil, Fife, and Arnish in the Western Isles.

• Monday, December 23rd 2024 - 07:47 UTC

  UK confirms appointment of Lord Peter Mandelson as British ambassador in Washington

  

  UK Prime Minister confirmed the appointment of Lord Peter Mandelson to be the next British Ambassador to the United States of America. His Majesty the King approved the appointment on the recommendation of the Prime Minister and the Foreign Secretary, David Lammy. 

• Monday, December 23rd 2024 - 07:34 UTC

  Gibraltar Chief Minister, Fabian Picardo, makes informal visit to La Linea and met Mayor Juan Franco.

  

  The opportunity was taken to take a walk around the center of the neighboring town, where Mr Picardo had the chance to greet several businessmen and citizens. The Mayor arranged for a lunch in a well-known bar/restaurant in the center of town, which enabled those invited to exchange views on the current situation with the Chief Minister.

• Monday, December 23rd 2024 - 07:24 UTC

  Ongoing UK/new Mauritius government talks to finalize Chagos archipelago deal

  

  The British Foreign Office has reported that “the Republic of Mauritius and the UK have held a series of productive, ongoing conversations and exchanges on finalizing a historic Treaty on the exercise of sovereignty over the Chagos Archipelago.

• Sunday, December 22nd 2024 - 05:07 UTC

  Electronic Travel Authorizations for entry to UK needed as of next 8th January

  

  Residents of the Falkland Islands should be aware that from the 8th January 2025, Electronic Travel Authorizations (ETAs) will be required for all visitors to the UK who do not currently need a Visa for short stays of up to six months, or those who do not already have UK immigration status.

• Friday, December 20th 2024 - 21:11 UTC

  Argentine Embassy in Kyiv hit by Russian shelling

  

  Argentina's Embassy was among the six diplomatic missions hit Friday when Russia bombed Kyiv. The others were those of Albania, North Macedonia, Palestine, Portugal, and Montenegro. Besides the “relatively light” material damage, all staffers of the South American legation were reported to be unharmed.

• Friday, December 20th 2024 - 10:17 UTC

  Bank of England leaves rate unchanged at 4.75%, but inflation is increasing with a no economic growth in 2024

  

  The Bank of England on Thursday left interest rates unchanged at 4.75%, despite an inflation rate that reached an eight-month high, pushed by services and wage increases. However three members of the Bank’s Monetary Policy Committee voted for a rate reduction, while six insisted in keeping them on hold.

• Friday, December 20th 2024 - 09:37 UTC

  Falklands, Christmas message from Sir Keir Starmer

  

  A message from Prime Minister Keir Starmer: It’s a real privilege to wish everyone in the Falkland Islands a very happy Christmas. It has been a year of change in the UK as we’ve brought in our new Government of service with that commitment to service extending to every one of you supporting your islands and the issues you care about, cheering you on in your successes and flying your flag proudly over Whitehall on Falklands Day.

• Thursday, December 19th 2024 - 09:48 UTC

  UK “absolutely resolutely committed to the sovereignty and self-determination of Gibraltar and the Falklands”

  

  “We are absolutely resolutely committed to the sovereignty and self-determination of Gibraltar and the Falkland Islands,” said Stephen Doughty MP and Minister of State for the Overseas Territories on a question from a fellow Labour MP, Portsmouth North, Amanda Martin during the Wednesday Parliament session.

• Thursday, December 19th 2024 - 09:31 UTC

  Falklands/UK Airbridge: increased seat allocation for FIG passengers as of next year

  

  Following discussions between the Falkland Islands Government (FIG) and the UK Ministry of Defense (MOD), it has been confirmed that the FIG seat allocation for the South Atlantic Airbridge (SAA) is to increase from 1 January 2025 for a three-month review period.