MercoPress https://en.mercopress.com/ South Atlantic News Agency en Copyright 2026, MercoPress. https://en.mercopress.com/web/img/en/mercopress-logo.gif MercoPress http://en.mercopress.com/ <![CDATA[Brent touches US$110 for the first time since May on Middle East tensions]]> Attacks around Hormuz have intensified over the past ten days, with Iran saying it is responding to the US blockade of its ports and tougher sanctions imposed last month Brent crude reached US$110 a barrel on Friday for the first time since May, driven by fears that escalation in the Middle East could further tighten supplies and by doubts over how much diesel Russia can supply to the market. Brent settled 3.7% higher at US$109.86, its highest since May 19, while US benchmark WTI rose 3.5% to US$101.41.

]]> Sat, 17 Oct 2026 06:17:00 GMT <![CDATA[Argentina’s bill toughening sanctions over Sea Lion stalls in Congress]]> The bill, sent to Congress in September, has 133 articles. The first 40 repeal the 2011 law penalising hydrocarbon exploration not authorised by Argentina and create a broader regime with fines The National Sovereignty Defence bill, with which Javier Milei’s government seeks to toughen sanctions against those involved in exploiting resources in the Falklands, failed to secure committee approval in the Chamber of Deputies and will not reach the special session planned for October 21, according to the Argentine press. The opposition is demanding that the text, which besides sanctions reforms security, defence and intelligence, be split.

]]> Thu, 15 Oct 2026 20:59:00 GMT <![CDATA[What are the red notices Argentina has sought from Interpol over Sea Lion]]> The chief executive of the islands’ government, Andrea Clausen, acknowledged that the use of Interpol poses a threat Argentina has requested Interpol red notices against individuals linked to the Sea Lion oil project north of the Falklands, and the United Kingdom has asked the organisation to reject them as “politically motivated”, according to the British newspaper The Guardian. Interpol responded by reaffirming Article 3 of its constitution, which prohibits any intervention or activity of a political character.

]]> Wed, 14 Oct 2026 21:45:00 GMT <![CDATA[UK Overseas Territories Minister accuses Milei of using the Falklands for electoral ends]]> Minister Uma Kumaran and MLA Jack Ford in discussion following her statement to Parliament British Overseas Territories Minister Uma Kumaran on Tuesday accused Argentine President Javier Milei of a “brazen attempt to use the people of the Falkland Islands as some sort of political prop ahead of Argentina’s elections next year”, in a statement to the House of Commons watched from the gallery by the Chair of the islands’ Legislative Assembly, Jack Ford.

]]> Tue, 13 Oct 2026 18:53:00 GMT <![CDATA[London says it will abide by any law of the sea provisional measures as it moves to shield its companies]]> The UK is preparing measures under its Protection of Trading Interests law to stop British firms and individuals being forced to comply with extraterritorial Argentine rules The British government said on Tuesday that any provisional measures ordered by the International Tribunal for the Law of the Sea are binding and that the United Kingdom complies with its international obligations, on the same day Argentina asked that tribunal to halt the Sea Lion oil project in Falklands waters. In parallel, London announced it will use its protection of trading interests legislation to shield British companies from Argentine sanctions.

]]> Tue, 13 Oct 2026 18:45:00 GMT <![CDATA[Trump says Russia will supply millions of tonnes of diesel as US eases sanctions on Moscow]]> ”Diesel Prices for Americans and, indeed, the World, will be COMING DOWN, IN RECORD NUMBERS, AND FAST!” he wrote US President Donald Trump announced on Friday a deal with Russian President Vladimir Putin for Russia to supply some 4.8 million tonnes of diesel to US and global markets, aiming to curb rising fuel prices. To make it possible, the Treasury Department temporarily suspended sanctions on Russian diesel until April 2027.

]]> Fri, 09 Oct 2026 22:44:00 GMT <![CDATA[Why Argentina's Falklands sanctions do not automatically reach Sea Lion's operator]]> Photo: Raphael WOLLMANN / Getty Images The sanctions Argentina has imposed on companies involved in the Sea Lion oil project north of the Falklands target specific entities rather than entire corporate groups, so the subsidiary currently operating the field is not automatically covered, according to a legal analysis by specialist site Diplomacy & Law.

]]> Thu, 08 Oct 2026 08:29:00 GMT <![CDATA[Halliburton rules out Sea Lion after Argentina raised criminal and civil enforcement]]> In a statement issued in Houston, the New York Stock Exchange-listed company said it had been in contact with the “Argentine Federal Authority” regarding any involvement in the project US oilfield services company Halliburton confirmed on Friday that neither it nor its subsidiaries will work on the Sea Lion project or take part in hydrocarbon exploration or production in or around the Falklands, after Argentine authorities raised the prospect of criminal and civil enforcement.

]]> Sat, 03 Oct 2026 06:56:00 GMT <![CDATA[British foreign secretary reiterates support for the Falklands in meeting with Cheryl Roberts]]> Roberts holds the Trade, Industry and Mineral Resources portfolio in the archipelago's government and announced on September 21 the five-year extension of offshore hydrocarbon licences. British Foreign Secretary Ed Miliband hosted Cheryl Roberts, a member of the Falkland Islands Legislative Assembly, in London on Thursday, and reiterated to her that the United Kingdom “stands shoulder to shoulder” with the archipelago's residents and “remains steadfast” in supporting their right “to determine their own future and develop their own resources”.

]]> Thu, 01 Oct 2026 23:07:00 GMT <![CDATA[Uruguay's foreign minister separates the "invaded island" from the money extracted from the Falklands]]> The minister said this was the main subject of his conversation with his Argentine counterpart, Pablo Quirno, and denied discussing with him Uruguay's interest in acquiring British ships Uruguay's Foreign Minister Mario Lubetkin argued that the Falklands dispute has changed in nature with oil exploration: one thing, he said, is "the invaded island" and "the fight against colonialism", and another is "when a lot of money is taken from there". His remarks come as Yamandú Orsi's government considers buying two patrol vessels from the Royal Navy, a deal that has already prompted a resolution from twenty deputies of Argentine President Javier Milei's party.

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