International

• Wednesday, March 13th 2013 - 03:36 UTC

  Europe ready to talk with the US to create the world’s largest free trade agreement

  

  The European Commission agreed Tuesday negotiating guidelines for talks with the United States on the world's biggest Free Trade Agreement, stressing a pragmatic approach to even sensitive subjects.

• Wednesday, March 13th 2013 - 03:32 UTC

  Falkland Islands’ referendum results are the clearest possible; time for the world to respect Islanders decision

  

  UK Primer Minister David Cameron called on Argentina to respect the wishes of Falkland Islanders, who have overwhelmingly voted to stay as a British Overseas Territory and invited other countries across the world that are guided by self-determination to also respect and revere the very clear results.

• Tuesday, March 12th 2013 - 14:52 UTC

  Britain and Argentina share stringent environmental duties in Antarctica

  

  Divers from Royal Navy ice patrol ship HMS Protector have been exploring beneath the waves of the Antarctic to ensure stringent environmental guidelines are being followed in the region. In the process the diving team on board HMS Protector has been busy capturing rare underwater footage of the Antarctic.

• Tuesday, March 12th 2013 - 14:25 UTC

  Hague calls on all countries to accept results of Falklands’ referendum and support the Islanders

  

  All countries should accept the results of the Falklands’ referendum and support the Islanders as they continue to develop their home and their economy, said on Tuesday Foreign Secretary William Hague following on the overwhelming weekend vote to remain as a British Overseas Territory.

• Tuesday, March 12th 2013 - 07:50 UTC

  Clear message to Argentina: 99.8% of Falkland Islanders want to stay British

  

  Despite frequent snow showers and zero temperatures, the celebratory party had already started on Arch Green in the centre of Port Stanley as the result of the Falklands’ referendum was a foregone conclusion, but the loud cheer that went up from the assembled gathering could be heard all over the town as the news filtered through that only 3 persons had voted against the Falklands remaining a self-governing dependent territory of Great Britain.

• Tuesday, March 12th 2013 - 07:40 UTC

  Cardinals’ conclave to elect new pope begins; a first non-European in the cards

  

  Roman Catholic Church cardinals will file into the 15th-century Sistine Chapel on Tuesday to begin their secret election of a successor to retired Pope Benedict XVI. Cardinals under the voting-age limit of 80, totaling 115 are scheduled to begin their conclave at 4:30 p.m. in Rome after asking for God’s guidance at a mass in St. Peter’s Basilica.

• Tuesday, March 12th 2013 - 07:29 UTC

  Observation mission praises Falklanders on referendum process and their democratic will

  

  The International Observation Mission (RIOM) congratulated the Falklands for the ‘free and fair referendum process’ reflecting the democratic will of the Falkland Islanders voters, and for its execution in accordance with international standards and local laws.

• Tuesday, March 12th 2013 - 01:52 UTC

  Overwhelming turnout and YES vote in the Falklands referendum

  

  As was anticipated 99.8% of Falkland Islanders voted to maintain the current political status of the Islands as a British Overseas Territory, it was announced late Monday evening by the local electoral authorities.

• Monday, March 11th 2013 - 18:35 UTC

  “The Falklands: a vote with no purpose”, says Ambassador Alicia Castro

  

  The following opinion column from Argentine ambassador Alicia Castro in UK was published Monday in The Guardian.

• Monday, March 11th 2013 - 18:27 UTC

  Commonwealth first formal Charter outlines institution’s core values

  

  For the first time in its sixty-four year history, the Commonwealth will have a formal Charter setting out its core values.