
The Falkland Islands government (FIG) announced it has extended the public consultation period for the Oil & Gas Social Effects Monitoring Program, which was originally intended to end this week. The new deadline is Friday 24 April.

Falkland Islands former minefields that have been cleared by BACTEC International’s (*) deminers are, “cleared to a higher quality than the areas that are outside the fences,” assured Project Manager Julius Unsing, speaking to Penguin News this week.

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.

The Falkland Islands Museum & National Trust is very proud to announce that the Historic Dockyard Museum has been shortlisted in the International category of the Museums + Heritage Awards for Excellence 2015.

The semi-submersible oil rig oil rig Eirik Raude entered Falkland Islands waters to the north this week and has already been served by supply vessels and undergone a crew change operation. The Eirik Raude will shortly begin a six-well drilling campaign operated by Premier Oil and Noble Energy.

The Falkland Islands government has informed that there have been two separate man-overboard incidents reported this week concerning a total of nine crewmen from two Taiwanese fishing vessels.

Falkland Islands will this month begin to grapple with the big questions about how oil and gas development will impact on their society and culture. The start of a series of focus groups run as part of the Social Effects Monitoring Programme study, led by Regeneris Consulting, and Falkland Island partners Karen Lee and Carolyn Montgomerie, reports the Penguin News in its latest edition.

The 250 years since Britain officially claimed the Falklands will be celebrated on a number of occasions this month. Celebrations are being organized in Stanley by members of the public on January 21 and 24 and by Falkland Islands Government on January 23 and 31, along with a ceremony on Saunders Island at Port Egmont on January 23.

Falkland Islands residents will gather this Saturday afternoon next to the 1982 Liberation Monument for the unveiling and dedication of the Falkland Islands Government commissioned bronze bust of Baroness Margaret Thatcher.

Its acceptance is voluntary at this stage. It provides for formation of Local Content Board, among other steps towards maximising local benefits and opportunities.