Rescue mission underway for stricken crew of FV Argos Georgia 200 miles east of Stanley
Uncontrolled flooding on the fishing vessel led to the crew of 27 abandoning the ship yesterday afternoon around 4pm. The crew spent the evening in life vessels as rescue attempts by search and rescue (SAR) helicopters have been unsuccessful due to bad weather. This morning it was announced the search area remains “out of limits […]
Tax exemption denied for FIDC’s investment programme
Approval could be viewed as “discriminatory to lower earners”. The Portfolio Participation Programme (PPP) from the Falkland Islands Development Corporation (FIDC) has raised £500,000 from Falklands investors. FIDC had applied to the tax office seeking to exempt all subscribers of PPP from paying tax on interest earned. Updating the board on Wednesday chairman Michael Poole […]
Shortage of contractor housing ‘pretty scary’
Concerns were raised at Wednesday’s Housing Committee Providing an update on the state of government housing Senior Housing Officer Kirsty Williams confirmed there are currently 193 properties in the contract pool, which includes 24 private rentals. Of these properties, 31 are vacant with 30 allocated to incoming contractors. This leaves one property which is currently […]
Access to education in the UK still an issue
The Foreign Affairs Committee’s Sub-Committee on the Overseas Territories discussed some barriers to Falklands students accessing UK education earlier this year. The UK General Election was called two days after this meeting, which stopped further action. The Director of Education Sarah Stannard told the education committee on Thursday she is in contact with the administrator […]
Iceberg spotted in Falklands waters
The iceberg is estimated to be as tall as 60 feet. Chris and Lyndsey May, of Speedwell Island, spotted what they thought was a white ship surrounded by life rafts in Eagle Passage on Monday night. No ships were showing on AIS so the sighting was reported to the Harbour Master, who was unable to […]
Internet limitations blamed for hospital’s outdated software
The current software used to store and access medical records in the Falklands is so outdated it needs Windows 7 to run. Despite going out to tender for a third time, the Health and Medical Services Committee, sitting on Wednesday, was told no suitable bids for a replacement system were received. Director of Health and […]
Falklands albatross adoptions boosted by Taylor Swift
A track on the singer’s latest album is thought to be behind the rise. Glenn Welch of Falklands Conservation said there has been a recent flurry in albatross adoptions with the charity selling about three months worth of adoption packs in three days. A track called The Albatross on Swift’s new album is thought to […]
UK student visas impacting Falklands students
It can take up to a year to acquire the relevant visa for some students wishing to study in the UK. The director of education Sarah Stannard said the UK Government requires student visas for those who hold British Overseas Territory Citizenship passports or a passport from another country other than the UK. During Wednesday’s […]
Falklands Government £20m better off than budgeted
At the end of February the surplus at the end of the Financial Year was forecast to be just over forty million pounds, almost double what had been budgeted. Standing Finance Committee (SFC) was told yesterday higher than budgeted revenues from corporation tax and personal income tax account for about two thirds of the difference. […]
Search and rescue capabilities in the Falklands enhanced by visiting team from Scotland
The Falkland Islands Defence Force is being trained by members of Tweed Valley Mountain Rescue. Major Dan Biggs, Officer Commanding of the FIDF, said: “There has been a search and rescue role in the Force for a long time and we have a very basic function. But this is bringing far, far more knowledge and […]
