International

• Friday, August 10th 2012 - 07:16 UTC

  Volcanic pumice mass, size of Belgium floating off the coast of New Zealand

  

  A mass of small volcanic rocks nearly the size of Belgium has been discovered floating off the coast of New Zealand, reports the Auckland media. The stretch of golf-ball-size pumice rocks was first spotted this week by a New Zealand air force plane about 1,000 kilometres northwest of Auckland.

• Thursday, August 9th 2012 - 06:08 UTC

  New Zealand launches program for high quality marbled beef off grass

  

  The New Zealand government announced last week it will be supporting a program to produce high-quality marbled beef off grass, by combining specific high-marbling genetics with the country’s strengths in pastoral agriculture, according to Joe Burke from the Meat Division of Bord Bia-Irish Food Board.

• Thursday, August 9th 2012 - 01:34 UTC

  Falklands’ oil explorer says deal with US company is “not politically motivated”

  

  The Chief Executive of Falkland Oil and Gas Ltd, FOGL, has said that its farm out agreement with Texas based US firm Noble Energy is not “politically motivated”, according to a report by the Daily Telegraph.

• Thursday, August 9th 2012 - 01:02 UTC

  Argentina warns US and EU markets on oil exploration activities in the Falklands

  

  Argentina’s National Securities Commission, CNV, officially communicated leading international stock exchanges in the US and Europe that hydrocarbons companies operating in the Argentine continental shelf in the area of the disputed Falklands/Malvinas Islands are involved in “illicit and clandestine” activities.

• Wednesday, August 8th 2012 - 21:38 UTC

  Can the Olympics re-brand Britain?

  

  By Andrew Hammond (*) With London 2012 proving a once-in-a-generation global showcase for Britain, a key uncertainty nonetheless remains over whether a substantial, meaningful legacy can be secured in future years from hosting the games. Given that the official public cost of the Olympics is some 9.3 billion pounds (a figure Parliament believes is nearer 11 billion pounds, and Sky News estimates to be a staggering 24 billion pounds) this is a key question, especially as Britain languishes in a double dip recession.

• Wednesday, August 8th 2012 - 19:41 UTC

  In carefully worded statement British bank rejects money laundering claims by US regulator

  

  As British bank denies accusations it hid 250 billion dollars in transactions with Iranian banks, its share price falls sharply. Standard Chartered has rejected a US regulator's claim that it hid 250 billion dollars in transactions with Iranian banks in violation of US sanctions.

• Wednesday, August 8th 2012 - 18:46 UTC

  Organized pickets in Andalusia raid supermarkets for food to distribute among the needy

  

  Pickets of unemployed and union members in the south of Spain took over supermarkets and took food produce which they then delivered to social organizations and needy families to protest and warn of the consequences of the tough measures implemented by the government.

• Wednesday, August 8th 2012 - 18:28 UTC

  Continental animal virus reached UK and spreads throughout the country

  

  The Schmallenberg virus reached the UK this summer and could spread throughout the country, scientists say. Staff from the Royal Veterinary College (RVC) and Institute for Animal Health (IAH) found the virus in animals on the RVC farm in Hertfordshire in June.

• Wednesday, August 8th 2012 - 00:58 UTC

  South Georgia ‘77 “Operation Journeyman”, a drill for the recovery of the Falklands in 1982

  

  The July edition of the South Georgia Newsletter recalls a major British military and political event in the South Atlantic has been largely overlooked by the region’s history books. A Royal Navy task force, codenamed Operation Journeyman, was deployed to the waters around South Georgia and the Falklands in 1977 following the occupation of Southern Thule in the South Sandwich Islands by 50 Argentine “scientists”.

• Tuesday, August 7th 2012 - 17:26 UTC

  Rice supply outstrips demand despite lower 2012 production according to FAO

  

  The United Nations’ food agency cut its 2012 global rice production forecast but said supply would still outstrip demand and that there was no increased risk of a food crisis as long as countries do not resort to export bans.