
The Falkland Islands elected Legislative Assembly welcomed the statement of Secretary of Defense before the House of Commons and said it was reassuring that the UK government remains committed to the defense of the Islands, and equally significant the strong support received by the secretary from members of Parliament.

Hundreds turned out in the western German town of Haltern am See to mourn 16 students and two teachers lost in Tuesday’s Germanwings crash in the French Alps. The Airbus A320 crashed en route to Dusseldorf from Barcelona, likely killing all 150 on board, in what would be the worst air accident on French soil in three decades. Spain declared three days of national mourning.

Germanwings tragedy in which 150 people were killed happened strikingly close to another French Alps air disaster, more than half a century ago. The air crash in 1953 unfolded only one kilometer away in the rocky summits of the mountain range of very difficult access.

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.

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.

Paul Singer-controlled NML Capital said that the hedge fund, as well as other holders of Argentine debt, made a deal with Citibank regarding the legal dispute at New York courts over Argentine-law bonds.

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.

Uruguayan Foreign Minister Rodolfo Nin Novoa said on Monday that Montevideo absolutely will not accept any more inmates from the U.S. prison at Guantanamo, in contrast to the previous government of Jose Mujica, who took in - as refugees - six Middle Eastern men who had been held at the facility.

As the perils of climate change increasingly threaten the planet, the international community must unite in “a spirit of urgent cooperation” to address the many water-related challenges facing humanity, United Nations Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon declared on Sunday.

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.