The Antarctic Ocean Alliance (AOA) called on the 25 member countries gathering on Monday for the annual meeting of the Commission for the Conservation of Antarctic Marine Living Resources (CCAMLR) to finally agree on lasting and significant Southern Ocean protection.
The Malvinas Forum, chapter Uruguay, which supports Argentina's sovereignty claim over the Falkland Islands, held a meeting to commemorate the UN General Assembly resolution of 1965, name new authorities and prepare the agenda of activities for next year.
Field staff from the International Association of Antarctic Tour Operations (IAATO) and the Association of Arctic Expedition Cruise Operators (AECO) got together in Toronto last month in the first Polar field staff conference ever held. Seventy-five people attended over the three days representing 24 IAATO/AECO members, three governments, three universities and the World Wildlife Fund.
More than 74 years of continuous Royal Air Force UK search and rescue (SAR) air operations drew to a close this month, as the Service handed over SAR duties to the Maritime & Coastguard Agency and Bristow Helicopters Ltd. SAR operated mostly in the UK, Falkland Islands and Cyprus.
The US government has announced new curbs on oil and gas exploration in Arctic waters off Alaska's northern coast. It comes after oil giant Royal Dutch Shell last month stopped its Arctic activity citing “disappointing” tests.
China's economy grew 6.9% in the third quarter, the weakest rate since the global financial crisis. The growth rate is below the government's 7% target. Though slightly above expectations, the data is expected to raise pressure on policymakers to step up monetary policy to stem the slowdown.
The loss of the Argentine yacht La Sanmartiniana which was abandoned and left adrift in the South Atlantic, but is currently moored in the Falklands as part of a salvage effort, led to a minor air incident according to Clarin when an RAF Typhoon from MPA warned a private search plane it was approaching Falkland Islands jurisdiction.
The number of billionaires in China has overtaken that of the United States for the first time, an annual survey said on Thursday, calling it a “turning point” for the super-wealthy. Communist-ruled China now has 596 billionaires, up a “staggering” 242 over the last year, Shanghai-based luxury magazine publisher Hurun Report said, surpassing the 537 Americans.
Days before an emergency FIFA ExCo meeting, Prince Ali Bin Al Hussein has submitted his candidacy for the presidency vowing to restore the governing body’s battered reputation. In compliance with electoral regulations, the Jordanian has the backing of five national associations, although he didn’t name them.
In one round of voting the United Nations General Assembly on Thursday elected Egypt, Japan, Senegal, Ukraine and Uruguay to serve as non-permanent members on the Security Council for two-year terms beginning on 1 January 2016.