Falkland Islands

• Wednesday, December 24th 2003 - 20:00 UTC

  “People in the Islands are Argentine”

  The idea of the Argentine government is “to begin flights to the ”Islas Malvinas“ from Argentine territory and with Argentine flag carriers”, reinforcing the concept that “it's Argentine territory”, and that “for us all the people living in the Islands are Argentine”, Julián Tetamantti, Argentine Consul in Punta Arenas is quoted by La Prensa Austral.

• Wednesday, December 24th 2003 - 20:00 UTC

  Blair implores Argentina to “cooperate on matters on mutual interest”

  The British Prime Minister Tony Blair has called on the Argentine Government to actively participate, with the Falkland Islands, 'in practical cooperation on matters of mutual interest'. Mr Blair's comments came during his annual Christmas message to the Islanders which was broadcasted on the BBC World Service.

• Wednesday, December 24th 2003 - 20:00 UTC

  “Fresh Spanish assault” on Gibraltar

  Gibraltar Government responded swiftly to the report in The Chronicle that Spain is mounting a fresh assault on Gibraltar's position in the European Union and is seeking the Rock's exclusion from the external borders of the EU. It emerged that Government was in the dark over this incident.

• Tuesday, December 23rd 2003 - 20:00 UTC

  Record cattle stock in Uruguay

  Uruguay's cattle stock increased 3,7% over the previous year and now stands at 11,689,000, the highest in almost thirty years. This means the increase was equivalent to 415,000 head, according to the latest release from Uruguay's Cattle Census Office, DICOSE.

• Tuesday, December 23rd 2003 - 20:00 UTC

  Maersk feeder ship plans to call in on January 25

  International shippers, Maersk, are planning to send a vessel to the Falklands next month.

• Sunday, December 21st 2003 - 20:00 UTC

  Injured British pilots recovering in Punta Arenas

  Veteran British explorers Jennifer Murray, 63, and Colin Bodill, 54, were evacuated this Saturday evening to Punta Arenas hospital after their helicopter fell in the Antarctic while attempting to break the world helicopter pole to pole flight record.

• Saturday, December 20th 2003 - 20:00 UTC

  Falklands Councillors deplore Argentina's “bullying and threatening” tactics.

  All eight elected members of the Falkland Islands Government condemned what they called, 'Argentina's bullying and threatening tactics' during a meeting of the Legislature on Friday.

• Saturday, December 20th 2003 - 20:00 UTC

  UK interest rate remains unchanged: 3,75%

  The Bank of England left interest rates unchanged at 3,75% during the December meeting of the Monetary Policy Committee but suggestions of an increase in the near future seem certain.

• Friday, December 19th 2003 - 20:00 UTC

  Penguin News Update.

  Headlines:
  Handing over command; Director looks forward to New Year change; Visiting officials' passports must be stamped; Forbes v FIG; Ships cruising in.

• Friday, December 19th 2003 - 20:00 UTC

  Patagonian toothfish fishery suspended

  The Fisheries and Aquaculture Undersecretary has suspended the fishery of Patagonian toothfish (Dissostichus eleginoides) as a target species in national waters, after this year's 4,800 tonne TAC was fulfilled.