Stories for October 19th 2015

Monday, October 19th 2015 - 21:46 UTC
Polar operators keen on conducting citizen science projects

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.
Monday, October 19th 2015 - 21:10 UTC
UK hands RAF Search & Rescue air operations to Maritime Agency and Bristow Helicopters

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.
Monday, October 19th 2015 - 10:16 UTC
Bristow adds new hangar to support Falklands' oil and gas industry

Bristow has added a new hangar and modular offices at Stanley Airport in the Falkland Islands to help improve operational efficiencies for oil and gas commercial services and search and rescue (SAR) support.
Monday, October 19th 2015 - 10:02 UTC
US imposes new curbs on Arctic waters oil and gas exploration

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.
Monday, October 19th 2015 - 09:53 UTC
Guyana beefs up reserves to protect country from Venezuela and Suriname

Against the background of what he said were continued territorial threats from both Venezuela and Suriname, Guyana President David Granger has announced a Total National Defense Policy.
Monday, October 19th 2015 - 09:47 UTC
China's growth below target; monetary policy stimuli expected

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.
Monday, October 19th 2015 - 07:11 UTC
Economic activity in Brazil plunges 4.47% in the last twelve months to August

Economic activity in Brazil fell for a third straight month in August, Central Bank data showed, adding to evidence of a steeper-than-expected recession in the country. The figures were unveiled on the same day the government dismissed rumors over the resignation of Finance Minister Joaquim Levy.
Monday, October 19th 2015 - 06:59 UTC
Scioli with best chances of becoming Argentina's next president, if the runoff is with Macri

With less than a week to Argentina's presidential election next Sunday, the latest reliable public opinion polls indicate a very close race with the incumbent and leading candidate hovering very close to the magic 40% of ballots needed to win in the first round and thus avoid a runoff a month later.
Monday, October 19th 2015 - 06:40 UTC
Falklands' salvage of La Sanmartiniana, triggered minor air incident, reports Argentine media

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.