'All politics is local, and so increasingly is foreign policy,' said the Foreign Secretary, Jack Straw, during a speech in Alabama on 21 October on the foreign policy issues facing the UK and the US. 'Politics is only made relevant to people by its locality,' he said, 'so we must demonstrate more consistently, constantly, visibly, how an active foreign policy benefits individuals'. Mr Straw went on to say: 'We cannot build democracy abroad without nurturing and sustaining democracy at home'. In conclusion, the Foreign Secretary said: 'Our two countries, United States and United Kingdom, have a shared faith in human progress and a common belief in the power of individuals to make their lives better through their own free choices in everyday life.'

Hurricane Wilma, a Category 4 hurricane (wind speeds up to 155 mph), hit the Yucatan coast of Mexico on 21 October. Predictions vary, but it is expected to move in a north-easterly direction towards the Florida coast in the US over the weekend. Mexican and US authorities have been preparing for its impact. The Foreign Office has recommended if you have friends and relatives in the affected areas to contact them now (in case phone networks are damaged later by the hurricane), to ask about their plans and movements over the next few days.

Minister for Europe, Douglas Alexander, has welcomed the announcement by the European Commission to recommend the opening of negotiations with Bosnia and Herzegovina on a Stabilisation and Association Agreement. Mr Alexander said on 21 October: 'This will enable Bosnia and Herzegovina to take its first major step in the European integration process.'

Mr Roger Sykes OBE has been appointed British High Commissioner to the Republic of the Fiji Islands in succession to Mr Charles Mochan who will be retiring from the Diplomatic Service. Mr Sykes will take up his appointment in February 2006.