MercoPress. South Atlantic News Agency

Breaking News from FIBS.

Diesel Spillage at East Cove

On Tuesday afternoon a spillage of approximately one hundred gallons of diesel resulted in a ¼ of a mile of maritime pollution on a beach adjacent to East Cove. The media officer at Mount Pleasant Airport has reported that the spillage took place while HMS Endurance was alongside preparing to sail to South Georgia. The incident was reported as soon as it happened and a containment and clear up plan was instigated immediately. A further sweep on ¾ of a mile east of the initial spillage has been carried out and all traces of diesel have been lifted where possible. It is reported that the wildlife in the vicinity shows little effect from the incident and as a result of immediate and secondary clean-up action, the majority of the effects have been removed or otherwise dissipated due to local environmental conditions. It is said that the affected area is likely to return to normal in a very short time.

Fuel Increase and Decrease

As one fuel price increases, another decreases. The new prices were announced by Stanley Services Ltd yesterday evening. The price of diesel has risen by four pence to thirty-four pence per litre, whereas the price of petrol has fallen by four pence to 41 pence. Kerosene and propane will remain the same and Stanley Services Ltd have blamed the diesel rise on increased demand in the Northern Hemisphere with the onset of winter.

Cruise Ship News

The cruise vessel Hanseatic arrived in Stanley Harbour this morning. She has a maximum passenger capacity of 194 and is due to leave at 4 O'clock this afternoon. Another vessel due in today is the Caledonian Star, which can carry up to 110 passengers. Tomorrow the Maria Yermalova, which can carry up to 128 people, will dock alongside FIPASS in the morning.

BBC Report on Military Status

According to a BBC article today, the Liberal Democrats have claimed that almost 10% of British Army personnel are classified as unfit for frontline duty. A total of 9,144 were in the medically downgraded category, the party's defence spokesman Menzies Campbell has revealed. He was quoting a letter from Junior Defence Minister Dr Lewis Moonie,