Politics

Saturday, February 8th 2014 - 09:00 UTC
Foreign Office Minister Hugo Swire message to the Falkland Islands

I am honoured to hold Ministerial responsibility for the Falkland Islands, which has a very special place in the British consciousness and in British history. And next week I am finally able, for the first time, to come down to see the Islands and their people for myself. I could not be looking forward to it more.
Saturday, February 8th 2014 - 06:35 UTC
Mercosur interested in trade integration with members of the Pacific Alliance, says Brazil

Mercosur pretends to increase its trade integration with members from the Pacific Alliance, said Brazilian foreign minister Luiz Alberto Figuereido. The top official made the statement this week before the Brazilian Senate foreign affairs committee.
Friday, February 7th 2014 - 07:18 UTC
ECB president downplays the threat of deflation in the Euro zone

The European Central Bank left interest rates at a record low at 0.25% on Thursday, but said it remained ready to act in the face of risks to the Euro zone economy, particularly turbulence in the emerging markets, and downplayed deflation.
Friday, February 7th 2014 - 07:13 UTC
Two leading US Senators anticipate an economic crisis in Argentina, soon

The current Argentine economic situation reached the US Capitol during the hearings to consider President Obama's nomination for future ambassador in Buenos Aires, and what was said was not encouraging.
Friday, February 7th 2014 - 06:59 UTC
Falklands trip by Uruguayan lawmakers condemned by Argentine embassy

The Argentine embassy in Montevideo through a “Forum Malvinas Uruguay” release “totally rejected” the decision from a group of Uruguayan lawmakers, representing all parties in parliament, accepting an invitation from the British embassy to visit the Falkland Islands.
Friday, February 7th 2014 - 06:42 UTC
Malvinas recovery needs of a State policy argues Argentine opposition leader

The superficialities and inconsistencies of the last Justicialista governments (Presidents Carlos Menem, Nestor Kirchner and Cristina Fernandez) have facilitated the consolidation of British presence in the South Atlantic and this will continue unless the Argentine political system agrees on a state policy regarding the recovery of the Malvinas Islands.
Thursday, February 6th 2014 - 22:28 UTC
Making Spanish workers to queue to access Gibraltar is “curious”

Britain’s ambassador to Spain has expressed concern about continued queues at the border between Gibraltar and Spain. Speaking to reporters during a visit to the Canary Islands, Simon Manley said the queues were “curious” given Spain’s high unemployment and the fact that many Spanish workers were caught up in the delays.
Thursday, February 6th 2014 - 22:03 UTC
Bank of England leaves rates on hold; next week's inflation report could signal changes

UK interest rates have been kept unchanged at their record low of 0.5% by the Bank of England. The bank's Monetary Policy Committee, (MPC) also left the £375bn quantitative easing stimulus program unchanged. Analysts now hope that the Bank will use next week's inflation report to signal changes to its policy of forward guidance.
Thursday, February 6th 2014 - 21:58 UTC
Mercosur committee to meet next week to address tariffs' reduction proposal

A Mercosur technical committee will be meeting next week in Venezuela to elaborate the group's final tariffs reduction proposal to exchange with the European Union as part of the ongoing, but long delayed, negotiations to reach an ambitious free trade agreement, according to Brazil's foreign minister Luiz Alberto Figuereido.
Thursday, February 6th 2014 - 05:22 UTC
BP warns of 'big uncertainties' over possibility of Scotland becoming independent

Oil giant BP boss Bob Dudley has warned there are “big uncertainties” for the company over the possibility of Scotland becoming independent. Mr Dudley told the BBC the “question mark” over which currency Scotland might adopt if there was a 'yes' vote in September's referendum was “a concern”.