The Royal Navy's flagship HMS Queen Elizabeth's departure to lead the largest NATO exercise since the Cold War has been cancelled at the last minute after an “issue” with a propeller shaft was spotted during final checks.
Exploring the viability of the oil industry in the Falkland Islands is building up since its Readiness program in 2014 and has been further boosted by recent agreements among companies interested in developing potential projects, but it recently also faced an unexpected technical hurdle from the UK Treasury Department. Nevertheless, London once again ratified support for the Falkland's right to explore and exploit its natural resources.
The Falkland Islands government reminds that as agreed in the Budget for 2023/24, the rate of embarkation tax payable by passengers departing the Falkland Islands by air, in accordance with the Embarkation Tax Regulations Ordinance 1999, was increased from £27 to £30 per passenger, with effect from Monday 1 January 2024.
Members of the Falkland Islands Legislative Assembly received on Saturday the visit of esteemed representatives from the Senedd Cymru – the Welsh Parliament, fostering greater exchange between the Falkland Islands and Wales.
Bettina Alberti Arriaga, who was the student competition winner from Uruguay, has published an article about her visit to the Falkland Islands.
The House of Commons Environmental Audit Sub-Committee on Polar Research, EAC, visiting the Falkland Islands on their way to Antarctica in December enjoyed an ”air tour'' of South Georgia island.
Following on the Falkland Islands Natural Resources Department update on confirmed avian influenza (bird flu) case – Steeple Jason Island, northwest of the archipelago, it has been reported that Falklands Conservation carried out a surveillance visit in January 2024 and found dead albatross chicks in their thousands as well as low levels of rockhopper and skua mortalities. A further set of several more swabs were collected.
The Center of Former Malvinas Islands Combatants (CECIM) La Plata raised concerns about alleged “flights of dubious origin” to the Falkland Islands, emphasizing “potential risks to national sovereignty.” The former combatants called attention to the Argentine government's silence on logistical operations allegedly violating UN resolutions, particularly the Zone of Peace and Cooperation in the South Atlantic (ZPCAS), established in 1986.
Britain is preparing to offer Argentina improved diplomatic, political, and trade terms since the new liberal government of President Javier Milei took office. The expected approach of a fresh start, and a relief for the Falkland Islands dispute, was anticipated at the World Economic Forum at Davos, Switzerland, during a brief meeting and photo between British foreign minister Lord David Cameron and President Milei.
Gustavo Melella, Governor of the province of Tierra del Fuego, which, according to Argentina, technically includes the country's portion of Antarctica and the British Overseas Territories in the South Atlantic (mainly the Falkland Islands) said last week that London “cannot continue to turn its back on international law and we will denounce them as many times as necessary.”