Stories for January 2024

Tuesday, January 23rd 2024 - 11:08 UTC
Falklands confirms new avian influenza (bird flu) case, gentoo penguins on Sea Lion Island

On Thursday 18 January, swabs from 3 dead gentoo penguins from Sea Lion returned positive results for highly pathogenic avian influenza. Several gentoo chicks (20-30) and a few adults (1-4) were observed dead or symptomatic. Given the proximity of the affected colony to the airstrip and residential area of the Island and the density of wildlife in the area, a level 3 response will be followed and the whole of Sea Lion Island is declared an infected place. No persons are permitted to visit Sea Lion Island without authorization from the Director of Natural Resources.
Tuesday, January 23rd 2024 - 11:05 UTC
BAS scientists carry out aerial survey of sub-Antarctic largest penguin colony

Researchers from British Antarctic Survey (BAS) have carried out aerial surveys of the remote volcanic Zavodovski Island in the sub-Antarctic to count the largest penguin colony in the world.
Tuesday, January 23rd 2024 - 11:04 UTC
Argentina: Daughter of minister's bodyguard killed during robbery

Nine-year-old Umma, the daughter of an Argentine Federal Police (PFA) officer who serves on Security Minister Patricia Bullrich's bodyguard team, died Monday from a bullet wound to her head when the family was robbed at gunpoint, it was reported in Buenos Aires.
Tuesday, January 23rd 2024 - 11:03 UTC
Venezuelan gov't arrests 32 alleged “traitors to the homeland” who planned to kill Maduro

Venezuelan authorities have arrested 32 people who were said to be involved in a plot to assassinate President Nicolás Maduro with backing from the United States, it was reported in Caracas. “Treason” charges were filed against the detainees, the Public Prosecutor's Office said.
Tuesday, January 23rd 2024 - 11:00 UTC
New strain of Covid-19 detected in Brazil

Brazilian authorities Monday confirmed the detection of four cases of the JN 2.5 subvariant of the SARS-Cov-2 virus in the state of Mato Grosso. The patients were reported to be all female and hospitalized in a serious condition. One of them even died. However, the Mato Grosso State Health Department said there was no reason to panic because at this point “it is not possible to say that the cause of death was COVID-19” since ”the patient already had chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD).”
Tuesday, January 23rd 2024 - 10:53 UTC
Power restored at Uruguay's Artigas Base in Antarctica

Uruguay's National Administration of Power Plants and Electrical Transmissions (UTE) has restored power supply at the South American country's Artigas Scientific Base in Antarctica, it was reported Monday in Montevideo. The service had been interrupted between Thursday at 2.28 pm and late Sunday.
Tuesday, January 23rd 2024 - 10:51 UTC
Falklands: Sheep industry global downturn resurfaces debate on the abattoir

The decision by the Falkland Islands Executive Council, and approved by the Standing Finance Committee, to provide additional financing of £1 million to the Falkland Islands Meat Company (FIMCO), has not been without controversy.
Tuesday, January 23rd 2024 - 10:49 UTC
Falklands applies for expansion of wind farm which supplies 35% of Stanley's energy

The Falklands Islands have invested heavily in green, renewable energy and protection of the environment, while at the same time having as a goal making the Islands energy independent, secure and resilient. This has meant that 90% of households in Camp use energy derived from wind and solar power, while 35% of Stanley’s energy comes from wind power, mainly three eolic turbines at Sand Bay.
Tuesday, January 23rd 2024 - 10:47 UTC
Falklands consultations on Pollution Prevention, Waste Management and Energy Strategy

Falklands Environment Department reminder of consultations on the development of the Pollution Prevention and Waste Management Policy and the Energy Strategy. One of them this Tuesday at the Malvina Hotel and later visits to Camp settlements at Goose Green, Fox Bay and Hill Cove.
Tuesday, January 23rd 2024 - 10:36 UTC
Brazil's gov't pushes for further industrial development

President Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva Monday launched the New Industry Brazil (NIB) plan which promises to invest R$ 300 billion (US$ 60.12 bn) by 2026 in a move to boost the South American country's economy. The project laid out by the National Industrial Development Council (CNDI) aims to transform Brazil's industry into a more innovative, green, exporting, and productive sector, it was explained.