Stories for August 20th 2012
Ecuadoreans march in support of President Correa and Assange
Hundreds of Ecuadoreans marched on Monday in support of the government's decision to grant asylum to WikiLeaks founder Julian Assange in a saga that could help President Rafael Correa if he seeks re-election.
Fears of resumption of clashes with Spain over net fishing in Gibraltar bay
Spanish fishermen expressed perplexity at the announcement by the Gibraltar Government that it will not be granting permission for commercial fishing with nets to be carried out in Gibraltar waters. The controversy has caused several incidents in the bay between the Spanish Guardia Civil and Gibraltar Royal Police and there are fears of a resumption of the conflict.
Insufficient harvests and soaring prices anticipate another world food crisis
With droughts parching farms in the United States and near the Black Sea, weak monsoon rains in India and persistent hunger in Africa's Sahel region, the world could be headed towards another food crisis, experts say.
Royal Navy presents computer images of Type 26 combat ship planned for 2020
The latest design of the Royal Navy's Type 26 Global Combat Ship (T26 GCS), the next generation of warships, was unveiled on Monday. The UK Ministry of Defence has released images showing the basic specification of the T26 GCS, which is a significant milestone in the development of this program.
End of perks for British Defence officials and high ranking military personnel
The UK Ministry of Defense hospitality budgets that allowed colonels, majors and brigadiers to entertain guests at taxpayers’ expense have been cut, along with funding for cooks, cleaners and other domestic staff, reported the Daily Telegraph. Junior ministers in the Ministry of Defense now share cars and first class air travel has been banned across Whitehall and the Armed Forces.
Falklands appoint landscape impact assessment consultant for new harbour development
The Falkland Islands government has appointed Macclesfield based consultancy Tyler Grange to undertake a landscape and visual impact assessment for a new harbour development near the capital Stanley.
Falklands improves livestock haulage to ensure steady supply to meat plant
Falkland Islands livestock haulage should become easier in the forthcoming season with the introduction of suitable sized crates and equipment for both East and West Falkland, reports the Penguin News.
Argentina accuses EU before WTO for restriction imposed on bio-fuel imports
Argentina has taken the first steps toward formally accusing the European Union of violating World Trade Organization rules in a dispute over restrictions on bio-fuels exports to the EU from the Mercosur member country.
Calderón reveals he was alerted of plans by Mexican cartels to kill him
Mexican President Felipe Calderón was warned during the early years of his administration of a credible threat to assassinate him while he was in the presidential jet, Mexican media reported on Sunday.
Unasur calls for dialogue to solve the controversy between Ecuador and the UK
The Union of South American Nations (Unasur) called for dialogue to solve the crisis between Ecuador and Great Britain regarding the diplomatic asylum granted by the Andean country to Wikileaks founder Julian Assange who is holed in at the embassy in London.
