Falkland Islands

• Wednesday, March 25th 2015 - 07:07 UTC

  Falklands' economy performance impressive, although volatile and vulnerable

  

  The Falkland Islands economy has witnessed impressive, although volatile, growth in recent years with unemployment rates low enough to be the envy of most countries in the world and the government is free of debt, according to the latest “State of the Economy” released by the Falklands Policy Unit.

• Wednesday, March 25th 2015 - 06:39 UTC

  Argentina as a 'live threat' to the Falklands, triggers fury from Buenos Aires

  

  The government of President Cristina Fernandez accused the United Kingdom of using an alleged Argentine threat to the Falkland/Malvinas Islands in order to boost its military budget, while also claiming that the archipelago has been turned into an electoral campaign issue.

• Wednesday, March 25th 2015 - 06:27 UTC

  Falklands: no surge in troop numbers but upgraded infrastructure and £180 million in ten years

  

  United Kingdom Defense Secretary Michael Fallon has dispelled media reports suggesting a surge in troop numbers was likely. Fallon on Tuesday outlined £180 million infrastructure spending plans, but told MPs numbers would remain at around 1,200 military and civilian personnel.

• Tuesday, March 24th 2015 - 04:55 UTC

  Falklands' defense review full statement from Secretary Fallon expected soon

  

  A statement from UK Defense secretary Michael Fallon relative to the Falkland Islands' garrison is expected sometime this week, according to reports in the British media. The Falklands' military response capacity has been a matter of much ongoing debate among analysts and former officers, as Argentina allegedly is involved in increased military expenditure.

• Tuesday, March 24th 2015 - 04:36 UTC

  Argentines fly the flag in South Georgia, 33 years ago

  

  Ushuaia daily Diario Fin del Mundo recalls that 33 years ago on 19 March 1982, the Argentine navy transport vessel ARA Bahía Buen Suceso landed in South Georgia a party of workers on contract to dismantle remains of the whaling station, and on arriving raised the Argentine flag. An incident which was to lead to the full-fledged conflict the following month.

• Monday, March 23rd 2015 - 19:43 UTC

  Falklands will celebrate Queen's birthday parade April 21st

  

  On Tuesday 21 April the Falkland Islands will be holding a parade to celebrate the birthday of Queen Elizabeth. Contingents from the Royal Navy, Army, Royal Air Force and the Falklands' Defense Force will form at Stanley's Victory Green, reports Gilbert House, seat of the Falklands' elected Legislative Assembly.

• Monday, March 23rd 2015 - 11:58 UTC

  Falklands resurges in controversy over Russian annexation of Crimea

  

  Russia has more claim to Crimea than Britain has to the Falkland Islands, a senior Russian lawmaker insisted Sunday as London again denounced Moscow's “illegal annexation” of the peninsula.

• Tuesday, March 17th 2015 - 08:06 UTC

  Falklands’ HMS Conqueror which sank Belgrano to be exhibited at UK memorial centre

  

  The first British nuclear submarine to fire at Argentine battle cruiser General Belgrano during the Falkland Islands conflict is to be exhibited at a memorial centre, the UK-based Sunday Express reported on Sunday. The HMS Conqueror — known for having contributed to sinking of the Argentine cruiser, at the cost of 323 lives — is due to be allocated in a commemoration to the British fleet used during 1982 South Atlantic conflict.

• Thursday, March 12th 2015 - 09:20 UTC

  HMS Dragon calls at Cape Town's naval base for mid-deployment break

  

  There is a permanent reminder of the Royal Navy's HMS Dragon’s first visit to South Africa as the destroyer upheld a 90-year-old tradition. A large painting of the ship’s badge, featuring her namesake mythical beast, adorns the wall of the cavernous dry dock where the Portsmouth-based warship spent her mid-deployment break, receiving some TLC after a four-month battering from the Pacific and Atlantic.

• Wednesday, March 11th 2015 - 06:08 UTC

  French team to investigate choppers' collision in Argentina; “immense sadness”, said president Hollande

  

  A manslaughter investigation into the helicopter crash in La Rioja province that killed eight French nationals and two Argentines was opened on Tuesday in Paris, Le Monde reported. Two experts from France's crash investigation agency (BEA) were travelling to Argentina.