FINN(COM) DAILY RECORD: THURSDAY, 23 SEPTEMBER 2004
Compiled by J. Brock (FINN)
INTERNET NEWS:
On Wednesday evening, as anticipated, British Foreign Secretary, Jack Straw, met his Argentine counter-part, Argentine Foreign Minister, Raphael Bielsa at the United Nations in New York. Items discussed included scheduled flights to the Falklands from Argentina. More when it becomes available from Government House.
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Published: 22 Sep 2004 New signs of life found at the Poles 22 September 2004 PR No. 12/ 2004
Large colonies of micro-organisms living under rocks have been discovered in the most hostile and extreme regions of the Arctic and Antarctic - giving new insights on survival of life on other planets.
Reporting in this week's Nature, scientists from British Antarctic Survey (BAS) and Scripps Institution of Oceanography reveal their surprise findings that rock-dwelling micro-organisms can photosynthesise and store carbon just as much as the plants, lichens and mosses that live above ground.
BAS microbiologist Dr Charles Cockell says,
"Although it's usual to find micro-organisms thriving under quartz and translucent rocks in hot deserts because enough light gets through, we wouldn't have expected this type of colonization in the polar regions where most of the rocks are opaque. Also, the harsh UV- radiation and violent winds make for a hostile environment. We found that in fact the opaque rocks protect the micro-organisms and, the movement of rocks during the annual freeze-thaw allows cracks to form and light to penetrate beneath the surface.
"This shows us that places we may think of as extreme - for example other planets like Mars - could nurture surprising habitats for life. The Poles are not the barren wilderness, devoid of life as we previously thought".
© British Antarctic Survey
FIBS NEWS DIRECT: 23 SEPTEMBER 2004
BBC WEATHERMAN TO VISIT THE FALKLANDS:
BBC Weatherman, Michael Fish is due to arrive in the Falklands tomorrow for a week-long visit. Mr. Fish is the BBC’s longest serving weatherman and he’s being hosted by the MPA Met Office. He will be in Stanley next Tuesday, touring the town and giving a talk to pupils at the Community School, which starts at 1500. Members of the public are welcome to take a seat in the Spectators gallery at the sports hall and listen to what he has to say. That evening, he will attend a reception at Government House and he will also be taking a trip to Sea Lion Island and a battlefield tour of Tumbledown while he’s here.
GOVERNMENT HOUSE FUND RAISER FOR BENDIGO ATHLETES:
The Youth Athletes are due to leave the Islands on the 20th of November when they will be heading to Bendigo in Australia. Steve Dent (SD) tells us about a fund-raising event for the Athletes at Government House.
SD: The day before we are going to depart for Australia, the Governor is going to host a fund-raising event at Government House. The tickets will go on sale in early October. It’s going to be a fantastic event with live music and a lot of good food. There will be raffles and bits and pieces. It will be a chance to say good-bye to the athletes and to have a good time.
2004 ALISTAR CAMERON PROJECTS:
The 2004 Alistair Cameron Local History Projects have gone on display in the Infant/Junior School Foyer. The studies cover a whole range of topics, as Head Teacher, John Farrow (JF), told me this morning.
JF: Basically, each year the pupils in year 6 carry out an Alistair Cameron History Project, which is judged. They get to choose all sorts of options. We were so pleased with the efforts of the Children that we felt it would be a shame if once completed and judged, they disappeared off into people’s individual houses, so we thought we’d put them on display this year.
SG: Is this the first year they have been on display?
JF: Yes.
SG: What kinds of subjects are represented?
JF: There’s family trees, peat cutting, the old brewery, all sorts of old houses and the old butchery. I think it would be really interesting for anyone that has any interest whatsoever in local history.
SG: You mentioned that they get judged. Are there any particular projects that have stood out this year?
JF: If I am honest, when I think about the amount of effort and time put in by all the children, it was excellent. And, I wouldn’t like to have been the judge. So, I wouldn’t like to pick one out in particular. I think they all have their particular merits.
SG: The work is on display in the school foyer for a week. Anyone wanting to take a look is welcome to pop in between 0800 and 1630.
CHRIS DOYLE:
Telecommunications expert Chris Doyle will be hosted by Terrance and Carol Philips this afternoon at Hope Cottage. The meeting was due to give more camp residents the opportunity to meet Mr. Doyle and talk about the Camp Telephone Network.
(100X Transcription Service)
