International

• Monday, January 30th 2012 - 09:22 UTC

  PM Cameron repeats ‘re-colonization’ argument for Gibraltar and Spain

  

  Repeating his recent statement regarding the Falkland Islands and Argentina, British Prime Minister David Cameron said the UK backed Gibraltar’s right to self determination and that to go against the wishes of its people would amount to “re-colonisation”.

• Monday, January 30th 2012 - 09:20 UTC

  Gibraltar Tripartite dialogue dead, announces Spanish Vice president

  

  Spanish Foreign Minister Jose Garcia Margallo has sent a letter to his UK counterpart William Hague responding to Prime Minister David Cameron’s remarks on self-determination.

• Monday, January 30th 2012 - 07:03 UTC

  Merkel under pressure on the Euro from allies and her conservative coalition

  

  Chancellor Angela Merkel tried to deflect growing international pressure on Germany to agree an increase in the Euro zone's bailout funds by saying talks were still continuing.

• Monday, January 30th 2012 - 06:25 UTC

  Contruction of St Helena airport begins next May, should be ready in 48 months

  

  The Argentina press announced on Sunday the construction of an airport in the middle of the Atlantic Island of St Helena, a British Overseas Territory and which would become a crucial hopping point for the Falklands/UK air bridge.

• Saturday, January 28th 2012 - 10:11 UTC

  Fitch downgrades Italy and Spain ratings; Milan police raid agencies offices

  

  The credit ratings of Italy, Spain and three other Euro-area countries were cut by Fitch Ratings, which said the five nations lack financing flexibility in the face of the regional debt crisis.

• Saturday, January 28th 2012 - 09:51 UTC

  ‘King Leo’makes the cover of this week’s TIME magazine but not in the US

  

  Argentine born Lionel Messi, three-time FIFA player of the year, is on the cover of this week's Time, but only if you buy it in Europe, Asia or the South Pacific. The United States cover is actually devoted to “The Power of Shyness”.

• Saturday, January 28th 2012 - 09:35 UTC

  Costa Concordia company offers 11.000 Euros compensation for each passenger

  

  Several of Italy's consumer groups signed an agreement with Costa Cruises to offer about 11,000 Euros to each of the more than 3,000 passengers aboard the Costa Concordia when it hit a rock and capsized near the Italian island of Giglio on January 13, a statement from the consumer groups said.

• Saturday, January 28th 2012 - 07:09 UTC

  UK praises naming of Argentine ambassador to London, calls for “strengthened cooperation”

  

  The British government acknowledged on Friday the naming of the new Argentine ambassador to the United Kingdom, and stated that they hoped the coverage of the long-vacant position will permit “the strengthening of cooperation” between the two countries.

• Friday, January 27th 2012 - 11:18 UTC

  Foreign Office has not discussed Gibraltar with new Spanish government

  

  Foreign Office Ministers have not discussed Gibraltar with the new Spanish Government, a Foreign Office spokesman said on Wednesday.

• Friday, January 27th 2012 - 11:12 UTC

  Scottish independence debate rattles across Europe fearing breakaway movements

  

  British diplomats are working behind the scenes to dampen down concern in Europe that Scotland's independence debate could trigger breakaway movements across the continent, reports the Herald Scotland.