Stories for March 25th 2014

Tuesday, March 25th 2014 - 23:54 UTC
Falklands yomp recreated by royal marines from HMS Protector

A team of five Royal Marines from ice patrol ship HMS Protector yomped in full kit in the Falkland Islands from San Carlos to the Islands’ capital Stanley, following the exact route of 45 Commando in 1982, thirty two years ago.
Tuesday, March 25th 2014 - 23:09 UTC
China's manufacturing sector contracted in March, according to private survey

China's manufacturing sector showed further contraction in March, according to a new report which mainly tracks activity in smaller factories. The HSBC Purchasing Managers' Index (PMI) gave a reading of 48.1 for March, compared to 48.5 in February.
Tuesday, March 25th 2014 - 22:20 UTC
South Georgia reindeer eradication project to recover natural environment almost completed

After many years of planning, and two field seasons on the ground, the main part of the Government of South Georgia and South Sandwich Islands, SGSSI, Reindeer Eradication Project is now all but done, according to the latest South Georgia newsletter. An estimated 3.140 animals have been sacrificed over a six-week period.
Tuesday, March 25th 2014 - 09:37 UTC
Unasur delegation expected Tuesday in Caracas 'to follow the political dialogue'

The Unasur (Union of South American Nations) committee to follow the political dialogue in Venezuela will be meeting in Caracas Tuesday and Wednesday this week in Caracas, reported officially the Ecuadorean Foreign minister, Ricardo Patiño.
Tuesday, March 25th 2014 - 09:30 UTC
Despite backlash from the extreme right, France will stick to economic reforms, says minister

President Francois Hollande's government will stick to planned economic reforms and spending cuts despite being punished in local elections where the anti-immigrant National Front (FN) made gains, the French finance minister said on Monday.
Tuesday, March 25th 2014 - 09:25 UTC
Malaysia officially declares that Flight MH370 crashed in the Indian Ocean

The Malaysia Airlines plane that disappeared over two weeks ago crashed in the southern Indian Ocean, Prime Minister Najib Razak announced on Monday. New satellite analysis from Britain had shown that Flight MH370, with 239 people on board, was last seen in the middle of the Indian Ocean west of Perth, Australia, he said in a statement.
Tuesday, March 25th 2014 - 09:06 UTC
Argentina ready to sign for the Israeli Kfir Block 60 fighter aircraft

Argentina is advancing in negotiations with Israel for the purchase of the multi-purpose combat aircraft Kfir Block 60, which is supposed to replace the aging Mirage III, on service for over four decades.
Tuesday, March 25th 2014 - 08:59 UTC
Brazil militarizes favelas in Rio do Janeiro to guarantee 'law and order'

The Brazilian government announced on Monday, 80 days before the start of the 2014 World Cup, that the military will help occupy several “favelas,” or shantytowns, in Rio de Janeiro to guarantee security in an area currently controlled by violent drug trafficking outfits where some 100,000 people live.
Tuesday, March 25th 2014 - 08:51 UTC
S&P downgrades Brazil’s sovereign debt rating to BBB minus

Standard & Poor's cut Brazil's sovereign debt rating closer to speculative territory in a blow to President Dilma Rousseff administration. Brazil had its long-term debt rating downgraded to BBB minus, the agency's lowest investment-grade rating. S&P changed its outlook to stable from negative, meaning further downgrades are unlikely for now, which will come as a relief for both politicians in Brasilia and financial markets.The move was widely expected but the timing surprised some investors.