The Falklands Oil Rush, Gordon the Bully and Ready, Teddy, Go!

Willi's News Review 2.3

Britain and Argentina continue to trade barbs as old arguments concerning the sovereignty of the Falklands Islands resurface. Recently, Argentina has demanded that all British ships docking in the south American country obtain permits. This follows oil exploration by Britain's Desire Petroleum around the South Atlantic Islands.

Although the Falklands are recognised as being a part of the Crown, Argentina has long disputed their sovereignty resulting in a short but bloody war in 1982 with Britain subsequently emerging victorious. Feisty Argentine President Cristina Fernandez has recently claimed at a summit in Mexico that she has the support of a number of Latin-American countries. No prizes for guessing that the Socialist Venezuelan President Hugo Chavez has already added his weight to Fernandezs' protestations.

Despite a round of patriotic chest-beating, both sides are aware of what's on offer should Desire's exploration prove successful. Britain has claimed the islands since holding them since 1833 and most of the islands inhabitants are of British descent. Argentina still asserts its rights to the Islas Malvinas, not that any of that will matter too much if the reported 400 million barrels of oil are found. Of course, the exploration could prove fruitless, in which case this tiny windswept corner of Blighty will soon be forgotten again. Find oil? Well, that'll be a whole new can of the proverbial worms.

The Conservatives may be losing some of their electoral lead to the Labour Party though they must have been rubbing their hands with glee when revelations about Prime Minister Gordon Brown hit the headlines this past weekend. Christine Pratt, head of the National Bullying Helpline alleged that Downing Street staff had contacted her organisation to express their dismay at the PM's leadership 'style' with some labelling him a 'bully'. Always there to deflect attention from the latest Labour PR disaster, Business Secretary Peter Mandelson defended the Prime Minister, whilst admitting that the leader of the country could be 'impatient, get angry and won't take no for an answer from his staff.'

The initial furoe centred on claims in a recently published book, "The End of the Party" by Observer journalist Andrew Rawnsley. Rawnsley's claims have been dismissed by No. 10. These allegations portray the PM as exuding the traits of an angry child rather than a reasonable and level-headed public figure. These include throwing a secretary out of her seat for not typing fast enough and punching the passenger seat of a car causing its occupier to emerge shocked and shaken. Four patrons, including Ann Widdecombe have resigned from the National Bullying Helpline fearing confidentiality was being breached by Mrs. Pratt's public outburst. Pratt and her husband have since hired PR guru Max Clifford, as they seek to substantiate their claims.

And finally...

If you've ever dreamed of sending your stuffed animal on a relaxing holiday and have someone escort them around the sights (obviously they'd have to be escorted! Ed), then wake up to the future.

Yes, a newly formed Czech travel agent, The Toy Traveling Agency will happily whisk your beloved teddy around the sights of Prague. Along the way, they'll take photographs of said animal as they take in the delights of Prague Castle or Charles Bridge. Following a successful appeal to businessmen on a Czech reality TV show, the idea has flourished, initially inspired by the film, "Amelie from Montmatre".

If you're already gasping with amazement, it gets better. For a handsome fee of between 90 to 150 Euros, your stuffed toy can enjoy the lap of luxury. The company's founders already claim that there is a huge interest in North America and Japan and these toy owners can ensure their teddy receives five-star treatment. The most expensive package offers a massage taking place on a special rug with a view of Charles Bridge. Your bear will be massaged by Mr. Hlavka, the genius behind the initial concept. There's only one thing you could add to a story like this...ready, teddy, go!

Willi's News Review 1.2

In beginning the review of the week, the devastating earthquake that has has rocked Haiti dominates all current affair agendas. Personally, I will be concise in my summation though this brevity is not with the intention to deflect attention from the crisis. Rather, it would merely not be possible in an article of this size to adequately cover the story in enough detail or to do any such reporting justice.

There has been a large aftershock following the initial earthquake on January 12 which measured 7.1 on the richter scale. Tens of thousands are already confirmed dead with the final figure once the debris has been cleared expected to run into hundreds of thousands. Please click here for details about how to donate to the disaster appeal.

It's been good news for sterling over the past week as it reaches relative highs against the Euro. The single currency is currently plagued with concerns over the dire state of Greece's finances and despite Britain's equally increasing debt, this has weakened the Euro against the pound. One other contributing factor has been a higher than predicted fall in the number of those claiming unemployment benefit. The Office for National Statistics announced jobless benefit claims fell by 15,200 in December, the biggest decrease in nearly 3 years. Nevertheless, the Eurozone remains an expensive holiday proposition with Egypt and Turkey continuing to be seen as offering better value for tourists.

The bitter and divisive repercussions of the Falklands War in 1982, fought between Great Britain and Argentina, look set to continue. This is following the passing of a new Argentine law that asserts authority over the Falklands, known locally as Las Malvinas. According to the law, the Falklands, the Southern Atlantic Islands and part of Antarctica falls under the regional auspices of the province of Tierra del Fuego.

Naturally, Britain has dismissed the claims with Foreign Office minister Chris Bryant sounding out against the hostile claim. No doubt, simmering tensions between Britain and Argentina will be closely monitored by Falklanders whom the majority remain proud to be British and loyal to the crown. Attention will also focus on the untapped oil and gas supplies, rumoured to be in the vicinity of the islands. Of course, the cynic might suggest, no wonder Britain is keen to keep hold of them. Though no amount of Argentine posturing or natural resource quibbling should get in the way of the what matters most-the islanders themselves.