Briton With Ebola Cured After Taking New Drug

Written By Unknown on Sabtu, 28 Maret 2015 | 18.55

We use cookies to give you the best experience. If you do nothing we'll assume that it's ok.

A British military health worker has been declared free of Ebola after being the first patient in the world treated with an experimental drug.

Corporal Anna Cross, 25, was admitted to the Royal Free Hospital on 12 March after contracting the disease.

She said she decided to allow doctors to use MIL 77, which they acquired from China, after "careful consideration".

Speaking at a news conference in London, she recalled her response when asked whether she was prepared to try the experimental drug.

"I said: 'I have Ebola, so I'd rather that than high-dose vitamin C. I'll have what drugs you think are good for me,'" she told reporters.

1/11

Gallery: The Desperate Fight To Contain The Ebola Outbreak

A man rests outside the clinic.

A woman is comforted after medical officials remove her husband, who is suspected of having the disease.

]]>

Officials try to prevent themselves from spreading the disease.

]]>

A local who has just brought his brother to the centre. He had to rely on plastic bags tied around his hands to try to protect himself.

]]>

A man thought to be infected with ebola waits for treatment.

]]>

MIL 77 is a close relative of ZMapp, which scientists claimed healed 18 monkeys given a lethal dose of Ebola.

Doctors at the hospital acquired the drug from a company in China and Cpl Cross chose to be treated with the MIL 77 following "careful consideration," she said.

Cpl Cross thanked the medical team who looked after her and added she cried when she heard she was free of the virus.

"They are an absolutely incredible bunch of clinicians; incredibly skilled, incredibly intelligent," she said. "Thanks to them, I'm alive."

Cpl Cross had been working at a British built Ebola crisis centre in Kerry Town, southwest of the capital Freetown when she was diagnosed with the disease.

She was evacuated back to the UK by the RAF after becoming the third Briton to test positive for the virus.

"I was diagnosed by one of the military doctors out there," she said. "They did a blood test on me, then they came and told me personally. It was somebody that I knew really well, and I knew they were gutted to tell me."

Describing how she dealt with being treated as a patient after working as a nurse at the facility, Ms Cross said the experience of others in the hospital made her strong.

"I had treated a patient in the facility and the next day I was sitting with him. So it was nice, in a sense, because I felt like we were having the same experience.

"I have seen patients who got really sick and died but he was doing really well, which was encouraging for me."

Cpl Cross said her family were delighted to learn of her recovery.

"They are really thrilled. They are fighting to look after me at the moment," she said.

Although she has no plans to return to Sierra Leone, Cpl Cross intends to rejoin the military as soon as she is fit again.

"I have to do a lot of physical work, it is going to take me a long time," she said.

British nurses Pauline Cafferkey and Will Pooley also contracted the disease in Sierra Leone and both survived the disease after being treated in the UK.

The current outbreak of Ebola has killed more than 10,000 people in West Africa.

Recommended by Outbrain Recommended by Outbrain

Written By Unknown on Jumat, 27 Maret 2015 | 18.54

By Charlotte Lomas-Farley, Sky News Correspondent

New safety rules have been introduced in the UK after 150 people on board the Germanwings Airbus A320 were killed when it crashed in the French Alps.

The UK's aviation regulator, the UK Civil Aviation Authority, has contacted all British airlines to get them to review all relevant procedures.

Here is a breakdown of how the safety rules affect different airlines:

:: Thomas Cook, Thomson and easyJet - from Friday, all three are changing their safety procedures to ensure that two crew members are in the cockpit at all times.

:: Virgin Atlantic and Monarch - both airlines say that while a two crew policy has always been common practice, they are in the process of making this formal policy.

If a pilot or co-pilot needs to leave the cockpit for any reason then a cabin crew member will stand in.

:: Jet2 and Flybe - both carriers already implement a two people in the cockpit at all times policy, as does Ryanair.

:: British Airways - the airline has refused to comment on the policy of its cockpit manning levels. The airline has insisted it does not discuss security issues.

18.54 | 0 komentar | Read More

Clarkson Row Producer Will Not Press Charges

We use cookies to give you the best experience. If you do nothing we'll assume that it's ok.

Oisin Tymon, the Top Gear producer punched by Jeremy Clarkson during a row over food, has told police he does not want to press charges.

Mr Tymon had to drive himself to hospital when he was left with swelling and a split lip after the Top Gear presenter launched an "unprovoked" attack on him at a hotel in North Yorkshire on 4 March.

Clarkson's Top Gear contract has not been renewed by the BBC after an internal investigation found he had "crossed a line".

The outspoken presenter received widespread public support - including from his friend, Prime Minister David Cameron - while one million people signed a petition calling for the BBC to reinstate him.

But Mr Tymon has received huge abuse from trolls on Twitter, including death threats.

1/11

Gallery: Who Could Replace Jeremy Clarkson?

Model and TV presenter Jodie Kidd is a well-known car expert and amateur racing driver. She currently presents The Classic Car Show on Channel 5

Actor and comedian Stephen Fry famously drives a black cab around London and would be a popular choice for many

]]>

Chris Evans has repeatedly denied that he is interested in the job but bookies still seem to think he's a hot contender

]]>

Comedian Steve Coogan has appeared on Top Gear several times, but since then has been critical of the show's brand of humour

]]>

Former racing driver Eddie Irvine would certainly tick the boxes in terms of car knowledge, but his lack of TV experience could count against him

]]>

On Thursday, Clarkson called on people to leave Mr Tymon alone "because none of this was his fault".

Mr Tymon's lawyer Paul Daniels issued a statement in which he said: "Mr Tymon has informed the police that he doesn't want to press charges.

"The events of the last few weeks have been extremely unpleasant for everyone involved. The matter has taken a great toll on Oisin, his family and his friends.

"Quite simply, Mr Tymon just wishes to return now to the job at the BBC he loves, as soon as possible. Further, the BBC have, in his view, taken action with a view to addressing the issues at hand.

"Mr Tymon agrees with the BBC's stated view that all parties should now be allowed to move on, so far as possible."

North Yorkshire Police, which has already spoken to some potential witnesses, said the force is still investigating the incident.

A spokesman said: "Inquiries are ongoing."

Two major companies, Sky and Channel 4, are understood to have ruled out working with Clarkson, while ITV would not comment on "a BBC issue".

Chris Evans leads the betting as favourite to take over at the show, even though he has ruled himself out on more than one occasion.

Recommended by Outbrain Recommended by Outbrain

Written By Unknown on Kamis, 26 Maret 2015 | 18.54

The Supreme Court has dismissed the Government's bid to keep letters written by the Prince of Wales to MPs hidden from the public.

The judgement is the latest step in a 10-year legal battle to establish what Charles has written to politicians and whether, in the process, he has overstepped the mark of political neutrality.

The 27 notes, written in 2004 and 2005, have become known as the "black spider memos" because of the Prince's sprawling handwriting and abundant use of underlining and exclamation marks.

The battle to make them public began when Guardian journalist Rob Evans applied to see a number of written communications between Charles and various government ministers between September 2004 and April 2005.

Last year, judges at the Court of Appeal ruled the Attorney General, then Dominic Grieve, on behalf of the Government, had "no good reason" to stop the letters from being released.

In a final attempt to prevent their publication, the Government turned to the Supreme Court to ask it to overturn that ruling.

But the court's president Lord Neuberger said there was a "fundamental composite principle" behind its reasons for dismissing the appeal.

He announced: "That principle is that a decision of a judicial body should be final and binding and should not be capable of being overturned by a member of the executive."

Responding to the Supreme Court's decision, Clarence House said it was "a matter for the Government" but they were "disappointed the principle of privacy had not been upheld".

It is unclear what the letters are about but they were written to seven departments, including the Cabinet Office and, according to Mr Grieve, the letters reflect the Prince's "most deeply held personal views and beliefs".

Prince Charles is well-known for "bombarding" ministers with letters attacking policy on topics from the environment and farming to complementary medicine and architecture, and he has always argued his campaigning is a catalyst for change.

But some believe he goes too far and strays into party-political matters, and that the letters could damage his role as future monarch.

The Prime Minister described the ruling as disappointing and said the Government would now consider how to release the letters.

"This is about the principle that senior members of the Royal Family are able to express their views to government confidentially," David Cameron said.

"I think most people would agree this is fair enough.

"Our FOI laws specifically include the option of a governmental veto, which we exercised in this case for a reason.

"If the legislation does not make Parliament's intentions for the veto clear enough, then we will need to make it clearer."

The editor-in-chief of the Guardian said the ruling marked "a good day for transparency in government".

Alan Rusbridger added: "The Government wasted hundreds of thousands of pounds trying to cover up these letters, admitting their publication would 'seriously damage' perceptions of the Prince's political neutrality.

"Now they must publish them so that the public can make their own judgement."

18.54 | 0 komentar | Read More

Pothole Repairs To Cost '12bn And Take 13 Years'

It will cost more than £12bn and will take 13 years to fix all the potholes on roads in England and Wales, a report has claimed.

Despite more being filled in, the Asphalt Industry Alliance (AIA) claims the cash spent on repairs in the last 12 months has been "wasted".

The group's annual survey also found an increase in the amount paid in compensation to motorists in England to more than £20m.

Local authority staffing costs, to process the claims, have increased to around £18m, the report said.

Alan Mackenzie, chairman of the AIA, said: "Essentially, the money spent on filling the 2.7 million potholes reported is wasted - it is inefficient and short term in its effectiveness.

"So, while we understand that the Department for Transport is promoting permanent repairs, the point remains that money would be better spent preventing potholes forming in the first place.

"The £6bn of funding pledged between 2015 and 2021 is welcome, and hopefully will be confirmed by an incoming government.

"But the truth is that although it sounds like a big investment, it will only be enough for local authorities to tread water and it will do nothing to tackle the backlog or prevent continuing deterioration."

Peter Box, transport spokesman at the Local Government Association, said: "Councils need billions, not millions, to bring our roads up to scratch.

"Every mile of motorways and trunk roads will receive £1.4m funding over the next six years compared with £31,000 per mile for local roads.

"This makes little sense given the Government's own traffic projections predict an increase in local traffic of more than 40% by 2040."

A Department for Transport spokesman said: "Well maintained local roads are vital for our transport network and it is for local councils to maintain them properly."

18.54 | 0 komentar | Read More

Styles In Tears After Zayn Malik Leaves 1D

Harry Styles has broken down in tears on stage during One Direction's first performance since Zayn Malik's departure.

The singer was filmed appearing to wipe away tears as the band performed the latest leg of their On The Road Again Tour in Jakarta, Indonesia, just hours after the news of Malik's leaving broke.

Malik said he made the decision to quit the world's biggest band because he wants the chance to live as "a normal 22-year-old".

He left the world tour last week after being "signed off with stress" and returned to the UK after he was forced to defend himself online and declare his love for fiancee Perrie Edwards when pictures emerged of him apparently close to another woman.

The group said they would continue as a four-piece for the tour and record another album - their fifth - later this year.

But it is clear they are going to struggle to come to terms with performing without their friend and bandmate.

Following the concert in Jakarta, Styles tweeted: "All the love as always. H."

Liam Payne told his 19.7 million Twitter followers: "So glad to be in bed after a long and strange 24 hours."

The news has also devastated millions of One Direction's fans around the world, and many took to social media to vent their feelings.

But they were offered words of comfort from a veteran of boyband break-ups, Take That's Gary Barlow.

Barlow, who saw the disintegration of his own boyband in 1996 after Robbie Williams left, tweeted: "Sending my best to all the 1D boys ! #thatters we've all been there haven't we ? !!!!!"

Take That's Howard Donald added: "All will b ok in the end."

X Factor judge Louis Walsh said he had heard rumours for a number of weeks that "everything wasn't happy in paradise".

He told Irish radio station RTE Radio One: "The problem with these guys is they've been in a bubble for the last five years, pressure, working, a lot harder than people think, so something had to give.

"So Zayn was the first person just to crack up a little bit."

18.54 | 0 komentar | Read More

Secret Terror Trial: Law Student Not Guilty

By Mark White, Home Affairs Correspondent

A law student has been found not guilty of a terrorist plot, which the Crown had claimed may have included plans to murder former prime minister Tony Blair.

Erol Incedal, 27, broke down in tears as he was cleared of preparing acts of terrorism after a retrial at the Old Bailey, which has been highly controversial as it was held mostly in secret.

However, he was found guilty of possessing bomb making instructions at his first trial in November last year and will be sentenced alongside co-defendant Mounir Rarmoul-Bouhadjar, who had earlier pleaded guilty to possessing bomb making instructions.

During the course of the second old Bailey trial, the Crown claimed Incedal, a British citizen of Turkish descent, had not settled on any firm attack plan, but had been considering a range of potential options, including a Mumbai style attack in the UK.

The Mumbai terrorist atrocity, six years ago, left 174 dead and hundreds of others injured after a group of militants attacked the Indian city's rail station, hotels and other buildings with guns and explosives.

UK authorities had originally attempted to hear the whole trial in secret.

They never explained why there was a need for such secrecy but the attempt to ban reporting of the trial brought media organisations and civil liberties groups to the Court of Appeal.

Lawyers for the media argued that an entirely secret trial would set a dangerous precedent and flew in the face of the fundamental principle of open justice.

Three Appeal Court judges agreed, at least in part, allowing some limited reporting of the trial.

However, more than two-thirds of the case has still been held entirely in secret, with the press and public barred from court.

A small group of journalists have been allowed to listen to a limited amount of the secret evidence, but they might never be able to reveal what they have heard.

Lawyers representing all sides in this case will now meet to decide if any further evidence can be released to the public.

Although still largely shrouded in secrecy, there was a tantalising, all be it limited glimpse into the Crown's case against Incedal.

On 30 September 2013, Incedal's car was pulled over by police in west London.

The defendant thought it related to a traffic violation. But, as he was held in custody for a few hours at a nearby police station, the authorities planted a listening device in his car and searched it.

Inside a Versace glasses case, they found a folded up piece of paper containing the address of one of the properties owned by Mr Blair and his wife Cherie.

Over the next fortnight, as he drove around London, police listened to Incedal discussing his hatred of the police and white people and arranging to purchase a gun and ammunition.

By 13 October last year, armed police moved in, shooting out his car tyres in an east London street before arresting Incedal and his co-accused Rarmoul-Bouhadjar.

In his defence, Incedal claimed he had wanted to buy a gun to commit an armed robbery and that he had a "reasonable excuse" for possessing bomb making instructions.

The Crown failed to convince the jury that Incedal had more sinister intent, finding him not guilty of preparing acts of terrorism.

The press and public never got to hear his explanation in full, as that evidence was heard in secret, like the vast majority of this trial, which was frustratingly devoid of detail.

18.54 | 0 komentar | Read More

Infected Blood Donations: Warnings Ignored

Written By Unknown on Rabu, 25 Maret 2015 | 18.54

By James Matthews, Scotland Correspondent

A public inquiry into why thousands of people were infected by contaminated blood donations has found warnings were ignored by the NHS, Sky News has learned.

The report, by Lord Penrose, also criticises a medical team in Edinburgh for failing to inform patients they were HIV positive until several years after diagnosis.

The judge has published his findings today, following a public inquiry into the scandal.

It was ordered by the Scottish Government and has looked at around 480 Scottish cases.

There has been no equivalent inquiry south of the border, although campaigners hope the Scottish process will help the fight for compensation of around 7,000 victims across the UK.

Sky News understands that, following publication of the Penrose inquiry report, the Scottish Government is to issue an apology to those affected.

1/2

Gallery: Hepatitis C: The Facts

]]>

The victims are mostly haemophiliacs who were infected by HIV and hepatitis C after being given contaminated blood or blood products in the 1970s and '80s.

Haemophiliacs need an agent to help clot their blood but, 30 years ago, many were given clotting agents from infected blood.

Donations had come made from a variety of risk groups, including prisoners in American jails who had given blood for money which was was then sold on to the NHS in Britain.

Lord Penrose has established that a series of warnings were ignored by the NHS.

After Britain's first case of AIDS in Cardiff in the early 80s, a senior public official called for the Department of Health to ban US imports of the clotting agent, Factor 8, because of the risk of infection.

Haemophilia campaign groups believe that if the warnings had been heeded, a "disaster" could have been averted.

Bill Wright, Chair of Haemophilia Scotland, told Sky News: "For far too many people, there are too many unanswered questions with this whole disaster. One of the things that I think people generally feel that they want to see is the truth, whatever that is."

"Whether that is achievable remains to be seen, frankly, because far too many people have died, far too many medical records have gone missing, there are one or two key official documents that have gone missing, and some of the key expert witnesses are no longer with us either."

Lord Penrose is critical of an NHS haemophilia unit in Edinburgh for not telling patients they were infected with HIV.

One of them, Robert Mackie, became HIV positive in 1984 but wasn't informed by medical staff until 1987.

Fortunately, he did not pass the virus on to his wife, family or anyone else.

Mr Mackie told Sky News: "It's unacceptable. I could have infected my wife, I could have infected family, I could have infected friends.

"Fortunately for the world community, I was not promiscuous. The risks were horrendous."

18.54 | 0 komentar | Read More

Church Appoints Its Second Woman Bishop

The new Bishop of Hull is to be the Reverend Canon Alison White.

Only the second woman to be named as a bishop, the Rev Canon White is currently priest-in-charge of Riding Mill in the Diocese of Newcastle.

Announcing the news, the Archbishop of York Dr John Sentamu said: "This is a joyous day! I am delighted to be welcoming Alison as the next Bishop of Hull.

"Whilst she will be working with others across the Diocese of York encouraging faith in urban life, she will have particular responsibilities for the vibrant city of Hull and the glorious coastline and countryside of the East Riding.

"Alison is a person of real godliness and wisdom - it is fantastic that she has accepted God's call to make Christ visible together with all of us in this Diocese of York."

The Rev Canon White said: "In 2010, I was privileged to be invited to take part in the York Diocesan Clergy Conference where I got a profound sense of a Diocese with faith and hope.

"I know that there is a real vision to be generous churches making and nurturing disciples and can't wait to be part of loving God and growing the Church in this great part of Yorkshire."

The new bishop, who became a priest in 1994, is married to Bishop Frank White, assistant bishop of Newcastle.

She will be consecrated on 3 July at York Minister.

The Church of England named its first woman bishop last July.

The Rev Libby Lane was consecrated as the eighth Bishop of Stockport at York Minster in January.

18.54 | 0 komentar | Read More

Salmond Reveals Plans To 'Lock Out' Tories

By Anushka Asthana, Political Correspondent

Alex Salmond has said that the Scottish National Party will attempt to "lock" David Cameron out of Downing Street if the Conservatives try to form a minority Government after the General Election.

Scotland's former First Minister, who hopes to be an MP himself, said his party would vote as a block against Tory policy in a bid to trigger a vote of no confidence.

Critics accused him of trying to sabotage the will of the British public - should the Conservatives be the largest party on 8 May.

The comments come as Mr Cameron and Labour leader Ed Miliband prepare to clash in the final Prime Minister's Questions of this Parliament.

The intervention is significant because the two biggest parties are now neck-and-neck in the polls, meaning neither is on track for a majority.

In that situation, they would be heavily reliant on other parties to get votes through Parliament. But the SNP - whose own surge in the polls could leave them with 50 MPs compared with just six now - have long been hostile to the Conservative party.

"The Tories would have to go straight effectively for a vote of confidence, usually the Queen's Speech, although it could be otherwise, and we'd be voting against it," Mr Salmond told the New Statesman magazine.

"So if Labour joins us in that pledge, then that's Cameron locked out."

That would then trigger a vote of no confidence and give Labour two weeks to try to form a Government.

Mr Salmond's interview took place over a fish and chip lunch, at which he ordered a bottle of pink champagne to celebrate the publication of his new book about the referendum campaign: The Dream Shall Never Die.

During the interview, Mr Salmond also revealed that Nelson Mandela was the historical figure with whom he most identified.

The Conservatives hit back at the SNP figure last night, with deputy chair Bob Neill describing it as a "sinister threat".

Labour may not find it helpful either.

Its leader in Scotland, Jim Murphy, who is giving a speech later today, has warned that votes for the SNP can only serve to weaken Labour's position overall, making them less likely to win the election.

18.54 | 0 komentar | Read More

Germanwings Air Crash: Three Britons Killed

We use cookies to give you the best experience. If you do nothing we'll assume that it's ok.

At least three Britons were among the 150 people killed when a passenger jet crashed in the French Alps, the Foreign Secretary has said.

And Philip Hammond said he could not rule out this number rising until further checks had been carried out.

He was speaking as recovery teams resumed their search at the crash site in hazardous terrain.

Overnight rain and snow at the crash site has made the rocky ravine slippery, increasing problems in reaching the area.

Investigators are also examining the black box voice recorder of the doomed Germanwings aircraft in the hunt for clues as to what caused the Airbus A320 to come down without issuing a mayday message.

The French authorities said although the black box had been damaged, it is thought to be "useable".

Although officials insist no cause has been ruled out, terrorism is not considered likely.

:: Click here for latest updates

The plane was en route from Barcelona in Spain, to Dusseldorf, Germany, when it came down on Tuesday morning less than an hour into its flight at Meolans-Revels, between Barcelonnette and Digne.

1/8

Gallery: Alps Plane Crash: The Victims

Marina Bandres, who came from Jaca in the Spanish Pyrenees and lived in Manchester, was travelling on the plane with her baby

]]>

Eyal Baum, 39, was an Israeli citizen living in Barcelona with his wife. He was among 150 people killed when a Germanwings Airbus A320 crashed in the French Alps

]]>

Opera singer Oleg Bryjak. He was travelling with his wife Maria Radner and their baby. Pic: Liceu Barcelona Opera House

]]>

Opera singer Maria Radner and her husband had been in Spain for a performance. Pic: Liceu Barcelona Opera House

]]>

None of the 144 passengers and six crew survived the crash.

One of the main lines of inquiry for investigators will be the aircraft's eight-minute long descent from 38,000ft to 6,800ft, despite being in a mountainous area and without putting out a distress call.

Images of the area show the plane, operated by the Lufthansa-owned budget airline, had completely disintegrated with the fuselage smashed into small pieces, the largest of which is about the size of a small car.

German foreign minister Frank-Walter Steinmeier was flown over the site and called it "a picture of horror".

Among those on board were 16 children and two teachers from the same school in Haltern Am See in Germany were on the plane, returning home after an exchange visit.

The headteacher of Joseph Konig school, Ulrich Wessel, said he was "shell-shocked and speechless".

Others on board included Marina Bandres, 38, who was travelling with her baby. She came from Jaca in the Spanish Pyrenees and lived in Britain.

Two of the passengers were German opera singers contralto Maria Radner, from Dusseldorf, and bass baritone Oleg Bryjak, who was born in Kazakhstan.

The mayor of a town close to the site of the crash has said the families of those killed are expected to begin arriving in the town on Wednesday.

Meanwhile, silent vigils have been held in both Cologne and Barcelona to remeber the dead.

Mr Hammond said: "We currently believe that three British people have been killed in this tragedy, but we cannot rule out the possibility that there are further British people involved."

He added that the Foreign Office was in contact with the families of those killed and there would be more news "once we have a clearer picture".

1/28

Gallery: Rescue Teams Resume Search After Plane Crash

Gendarmerie and French mountain rescue teams fly in a helicopter near the site of the Germanwings plane crash near the French Alps

Television news satellite vehicles are seen in front of the mountains

]]>

Germanwings said the plane had a normal service at Dusseldorf on Monday and its last major check-up was in the summer of 2013. Experts have said the A320 has a relatively good safety record.

Recommended by Outbrain Recommended by Outbrain

Written By Unknown on Selasa, 24 Maret 2015 | 18.54

Britain To Boost Falkland Islands Defences

We use cookies to give you the best experience. If you do nothing we'll assume that it's ok.

Britain is to "beef up" its military presence on the Falkland Islands amid claims there is a heightened risk of invasion

Defence Secretary Michael Fallon will announce reinforcements of troops and equipment following a Ministry of Defence review suggesting an attack on the South Atlantic archipelago is more likely.

"I'm going to be announcing to Parliament later today how we're going to beef up defences there, how we're going to modernise our defences," he told Sky News.

He added that he intended "to reassure the islanders that we're absolutely committed to their right to remain British and to the defence of the islands".

"We're modernising what we're doing there and I'm going to talk about the various capabilities and equipment we have there," he said.

"I can't give you too much detail of that because I can't even tell Parliament all the details of how we defend the Falklands, but what I can assure you is that we're absolutely committed to defending the Falklands.

1/10

Gallery: Archive Images: Falklands War

British Royal Navy frigate HMS Antelope explodes in the bay of San Carlos off East Falklands

The landing strip of the military base Puerto Argentina is seen after a British air raid during the Falklands War

]]>

Argentina's army soldiers place a mortar in Port Howard during the Falklands War

]]>

British troops arriving in the Falklands Islands during the Falklands War

]]>

Argentine Army General Mario Benjamin Menendez who ruled as governor for the 73 days addresses his troops during the Falklands War

]]>

"The threat to the Falklands has not gone away."

Around 1,200 troops are based on the islands along with a small fleet of Sea King helicopters and RAF Typhoon jets.

Argentina's President Cristina Fernandez de Kirchner has revived tensions over the islands, which her country calls Las Malvinas, since she came to power.

Speculation emerged in December that Russia had agreed to supply fighter jets to Argentina in return for beef and wheat, to circumvent European sanctions imposed on Moscow over its actions in Ukraine.

Foreign Affairs Editor Sam Kiley said a "devastating" Defence Select Committee report suggested British armed forces would not be capable of retaking the islands if they were successfully invaded.

"They've definitely got to get in and defend if the Argentines are boosting their military capabilities and posing some threat to the Falklands," he said.

"The reality is: They're not and they're not. Ultimately they want to get the Falklands back, (but) they're not going to go to war with Britain over it.

"They are boosting their military capability, but in a pretty insignificant way."

Prime Minister David Cameron, in his last Christmas message to the Islanders, announced a bronze statue of former prime minister Margaret Thatcher would be unveiled this year in the British territory.

Recommended by Outbrain Recommended by Outbrain

Coba Agains

Mengenai Saya

Popular Posts Today