The territorial dispute surrounding the Spratly Islands which sit on blocks of potentially rich oil and gas resources has reached a boiling point, as recent watershed developments in a ministerial conference of Southeast Asian nations demonstrated.

The 45th ASEAN Ministerial Meeting (AMM) in Cambodia that kicked off on July 9 this year, will be remembered as the first ever meeting that did not issue the customary joint statement at the end of the summit since the annual event's establishment in 1967. The diplomatic failure resulted as the summit's chair, Cambodia, refused to include several paragraphs in the draft statement that highlighted recent run-ins at the Scarborough Shoal, which is part of the Spratlys. The Philippines and Vietnam rallied their regional neighbors to push for those inclusions, which references incidents involving their ships and Chinese vessels, but Cambodia argued that such mention of bilateral disputes was not appropriate for the communiqu.

In recent years, Phnom Penh has swung towards a pro-Beijing stance, with Cambodia's economy increasingly tied to China's, The Straits Times reported on July 16, 2012. In 2011, Cambodia received $1.2 billion in foreign direct investment (FDI) from China, more than double the combined FDI from its Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) neighbors.

After the summit, Vietnam issued a strongly-worded statement on the website of its Ministry of Foreign Affairs on July 13, 2012. "Chinese fishermen's activities around the Spratly archipelago are illegal and violate Vietnam's sovereignty," the statement read.

The Philippines issued a statement the following day stating that it "deplores the non-issuance of a joint communiqu."

Malaysia followed up with its own statement on July 17, 2012, stating that it had "tried very hard to work towards reaching a compromised language on the South China Sea issue but member states were not able to reach a consensus."

The recent rancor surrounding this territorial dispute brings to light far-reaching implications for the oil and gas industry. The issues of which state-backed companies one should work with and which projects one should pursue in the South China Sea are fast becoming problems, and hurdles, which oil and gas companies will find themselves grappling with.

The Spratly Islands are a group of hundreds of small islands, reefs and atolls sited in the South China Sea occupying an area roughly the size of California, but have a combined land area of less than two square miles.

So what prize could this inhospitable archipelago offer that several nations find themselves embroiled in the ongoing maritime tussle? Oil and natural gas.

The archipelago has seen much contention primarily because its location in the South China Sea straddles vast blocks of potential oil and natural gas reserves. According to a published paper in 1997 by the American University Washington D.C, oil and natural gas reserves in the contested waters surrounding the Spratly Islands were estimated at 17.7 billion tonnes. In comparison, Kuwait's oil and natural gas reserves amount to some 13 billion tonnes. However, as of now, there has been no commercial oil and gas exploration and appraisal activities to reaffirm such offsite estimates, data from the Central Intelligence Agency's World Factbook updated on June 30, 2012 states.

Continued here:

Geography and Natural Resources of the Spratly Islands

If you've ever dreamed of owning your own private island, now might be your chance.

Weak demand and rising inventory for private islands around the world has created a buyer's market, with prices down between 20 percent and 80 percent.

There are now more than 600 private islands for sale around the world, according to Chris Krolow of Private Islands Inc., which helps market and sell islands. Inventory is up by more than a third since before the recession.

You don't even have to be a millionaire anymore to have your own piece of paradise. There are dozens islands around the world priced at $200,000 or less, and a few for under $50,000 (though don't expect a villa and sandy beaches in the Bahamas for that).

[More From CNBC: Rare Ferraris May Fetch $20 Million at Auction]

Brokers say that demand remains healthy for high-quality islands - those that have houses, that are close to major population centers, with good beaches. But prices are sinking for the large and growing supply of undeveloped, remote islands that have become the castaways of the high-end real-estate market.

"The recession has divided this market in two," said Farhad Vlaid, of Vladi Private Islands, one of the world's largest private-island brokers, with offices in Germany and Toronto. "The quality islands are strengthening. But what I call 'adventure islands,' that are not inhabited, don't have a hospital nearby and there's maybe a problem with local politics and climate, that market is weakening. The sellers just don't love their islands as much."

Puangiangi Island, a 155-acre rock outcropping off the coast of New Zealand's South Island, was priced at close to $4 million was recently sold for less than $800,000. Buenavista Island in Panama, with more than 200 meters of beaches, was priced at $3 million and is now going for $750,000.

Even bigger bargains include Leaf Cay in the Bahamas. The pristine island has three beaches, deep water docks (perfect for mega-yacht parking) and easy access to a nearby golf course. Leaf Cay was on the market for $24 million, but is now priced at $7 million.

[More From CNBC: Wealthy Stash $21 Trillion in 'Pirate Banking' System]

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The Market for Private Islands Is Sinking

Credit: Courtesy of American Public Television

Above: Martin Clunes, host of ISLANDS OF BRITAIN

Surprisingly, the U.K. is made up of about 6,000 different islands, and some of the most unfamiliar ones are often the most fascinating. In ISLANDS OF BRITAIN, actor Martin Clunes ("Doc Martin," "Men Behaving Badly," "Reggie Perrin") sets out to explore these beautiful but remote communities, shedding new light on their history, culture, flora and fauna.

Clunes guides us through amazing landscapes and seascapes, meeting colorful locals along the way. The three-part series showcases all sorts of island dwellers from people who live off the land, to the mega rich who use their islands to escape the paparazzi. We also get to hear some remarkable stories of British folklore, with tales of smugglers, pirates, wizards and saints.

Credit: Courtesy of Erik Christensen

Above: Muckle Flugga Lighthouse, Shetland Islands

"The North" airs Monday, July 16, 2012 at 10 p.m. - Exploring the remote Scottish islands, Clunes begins his journey on Muckle Flugga, the most northerly outpost of the British Isles.

Next stop is Forvik in the Shetlands, occupied by just one man Stuart Hill who has declared independence from the rest of Britain and invited the Queen to come and visit him in his tent.

The final stop in the Shetlands is Unst, the most northerly inhabited island in the country. There we meet Derek, who is the island's chief Viking, and is responsible for maintaining Unst's Norse traditions.

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Islands Of Britain

BEIJING, July 23 (UPI) -- China took further steps to strengthen its claims on disputed islands in the South China Sea, including deciding to deploy a military garrison in the region.

The official Xinhua news agency said China's powerful central military authority had approved to form and deploy a military garrison in Sansha, a newly formed prefectural-level city in south China's Hainan province. Sansha is designed to administer the Xisha, Zhongsha and Nansha Islands and the surrounding waters in the South China Sea, Xinhua reported.

The decision to deploy soldiers came after Sansha's first city people's congress announced deputies were elected during the weekend by the 1,100 residents from the islands, Xinhua reported. Yongxing Island was named the government seat of Sansha, established in June.

Xisha, Zhongsha and Nansha Islands are Chinese names for the resource-rich Spratlys, the Paracels and the Macclesfield Bank islands group in the South China Sea, seen as vital for international trade and shipping.

The South China Sea islands are also claimed by some of the countries neighboring China including Vietnam and the Philippines, which are members of the 10-nation Association of South East Asian Nations. The ASEAN foreign ministers' failure this month to come up even with a joint communique on the Sea issue, was reported to be a result of pressure from China, which wants resolution of the issue through bilateral consultations and not a multinational forum such as the ASEAN.

The New York Times said the new Sansha deputies would govern the island groups as well as 2 million square kilometers of the South China Sea over which China claims jurisdiction.

In Hanoi during the weekend, Vietnamese demonstrated against the Chinese claims of sovereignty in the South China Sea, shouting "the Spratly and Paracel Islands belong to Vietnam!" and "Down with Chinese aggression!," Britain's Guardian reported.

The Philippines' GMA News reported the latest Chinese announcements are part of a series of recent actions that have expanded China's physical presence in the vast disputed waters and defied condemnation around the region. The report said the Philippine government already has lodged a diplomatic protest against China's establishment of Sansha City, saying it infringes on Philippine sovereign rights over the waters and continental shelf of the West Philippine Sea.

Continued here:

China strengthens islands claims

YORBA LINDA, Calif., July 23, 2012 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Healthy Coffee International, Inc. (HCEI.PK) announced that it opened the Solomon Islands and participated in the National Trade Show of the 11th Festival of Pacific Arts in Honiara, where delegations from 27 Pacific Island countries and territories come together on July 1-14, 2012.

Nathaniel Lix daWheya, Country Manager of Healthy Coffee Solomon Islands, said: "We expect to meet many prospective distributors who can help us open the market in 27 islands countries and territories in the Pacific, including Australia, Guam, Hawaii, New Zealand and Samoa."

Abel Joe Kotali, Founding Member, added: "We have Healthy Coffee(R) free tasting in our booth, and our team is ready to explain to potential distributors the unique business opportunity available to them."

Rick Aguiluz, architect of the Healthy Coffee(R) concept and the FRM Business Model(R) and CEO of Healthy Coffee International, said: "We expect to open more Pacific Island countries after this event, and our base in the Solomon Islands will enable us to tap these new markets."

ABOUT HEALTHY COFFEE INTERNATIONAL, INC.

HEALTHY COFFEE INTERNATIONAL, INC. (HCEI.PK) (website: http://www.HCEI.biz), category creator of Healthy Coffee, is focused on bringing health to the world's largest and most popular drink, coffee. The company's proprietary formulas combine the health benefits of Ginseng, Reishi Mushroom, and other top quality ingredients with the world's finest coffee beans to create a line of deliciously healthy instant gourmet coffee drinks.

Healthy Coffee(R) is the first company to successfully merge the traditional retail business with direct sales, and is revolutionizing the direct sales industry. Healthy Coffee(R) is the first to market the exclusive Healthy Coffee(R) automatic vending machines to mom and pop stores and businesses as well as the big retail chain stores.

Healthy Coffee's products are sold exclusively through its marketing subsidiary, Healthy Coffee USA, Inc., (http://www.HealthyCoffee.com) which uses a simple and unique Internet-driven international business model that allows the average person to own and operate a local, national, or international coffee distribution or coffee house business with very little capital investment or overhead. Healthy Coffee(R) is well positioned in the market place at the intersection of three mega-billion dollar industries: coffee, wellness and energy drinks, and has quickly moved into international markets by establishing offices in 22 countries, and distributors in 30 other countries.

For more information, visit: http://www.HCEI.biz

To subscribe to the Healthy Coffee(R) mailing list: http://www.hcei.biz/home/signupform.html

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Healthy Coffee(R) Opens Solomon Islands

Beijing will establish a military garrison on a group of disputed islands, China's defence ministry says.

The troops will operate from Sansha in the Paracel Islands, one of two archipelagos in the South China Sea that are claimed by both China and Vietnam.

The garrison, approved by the Central Military Commission, 'will be responsible for the Sansha area national defence mobilisation and reserve forces activities', the defence ministry announced on its website on Monday.

The ministry did not say when the garrison would be established, but the decision was likely to upset Hanoi.

A move by Beijing last month to designate Sansha as its administrative centre for the Paracels and the Spratly Islands prompted a rare demonstration on Sunday in the Vietnamese capital.

China and South Vietnam once administered different parts of the Paracels but after a brief conflict in 1974 Beijing took control of the entire group of islands. Vietnam holds several of the larger Spratly Islands.

China says it owns much of the South China Sea, while the Philippines, Taiwan, Brunei and Malaysia each claim portions.

Disputes have flared in recent weeks, with Vietnam and the Philippines criticising what they call Chinese encroachment.

In June, the state-backed China National Offshore Oil Corporation invited bids to explore oil blocks in the disputed waters, a week after Vietnam adopted a law placing the Spratlys under its sovereignty.

A July 13 meeting of the Association of Southeast Nations broke up without a joint statement for the first time in 45 years because members could not agree on how to refer to China's actions in the disputed waters.

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China plans garrison for islands

22 July 2012 Last updated at 23:15 ET

China has approved the formal establishment of a military garrison on disputed South China Sea islands, state media reports.

The command will be based in Sansha city on Woody Island in the Paracels; a city formed in June to govern the area.

On Sunday 45 legislators were also named to the new city's congress.

The moves come amid severe tensions between China and its neighbours over ownership of the several groups of islands in the South China Sea.

China took command of the Paracel islands in 1974 following a battle with Vietnam. Taiwan also claims the islands, whose population numbers only a few thousand, mostly fishermen.

Sansha city was established in June as China's administrative base for the whole South China Sea area, including the disputed territories of the Spratly Islands and the Scarborough Shoal.

The Central Military Commission (CMC) authorised the People's Liberation Army (PLA) Guangzhou Military Command to ''form a garrison command in'' Sansha city, Xinhua news agency reported on Sunday.

The troops would be ''responsible for managing the city's national defence mobilisation, military reserves and carrying out military operations'', said the brief announcement, which was also carried on the defense ministry's website.

The command will be ''under the dual leadership of the Hainan provincial sub-command and the city's civilian leaders'', it added.

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China approves troops for islands

Beijing will establish a military garrison on a group of disputed islands in the South China Sea, China's defence ministry said Monday, a move likely to provoke further tensions with its neighbours.

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China plans garrison to 'defend' disputed islands

A few tour boats provide a rare glimpse at the Thimble Islands, the most exclusive and little-known islands in Connecticut. YNN's Valarie D'Elia filed the following report.

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Named for the once-abundant thimbleberry, Connecticuts Thimble Islands in the Stony Creek section of Branford on Long Island Sound was discovered by Adrian Block, the same Dutch sailor Rhode Islands Block island is named for.

Made up of mostly pink granite bedrock carved by glaciers, the Thimble Islands are comprised of 25 inhabited islands with 95 summer homes housing 100 families.

Nine of the islands have electrical power, but other amenities found on the toniest islands include decks, swimming pools and jacuzzis.

A one-time resident was Tom Thumb of P.T. Barnum fame, who lived on Cut In Two Island East with his reputed collection of valuable circus posters.

Another spot, Governor Island, has 14 homes and 25 varieties of trees.

While a few tour boats offer a quick glimpse of these private islands, Outer Island, used for ecological studies, accepts visitors.

At one point though, there were hotels. The largest one, the Thimble Island House, held clam bakes and lobster bakes every weekend for travelers coming by steamship from New Haven. Nowadays, the hotel is now a private home with only 11 bedrooms.

Many of these homes have sold for millions of dollars, but there is a gazebo on the market for $285,000.

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Travel with Val: Thimble Islands

Reuters/Tokyo

Prime Minister Yoshihiko Nodas effort to nationalise a chain of disputed islands long a source of friction between Japan and China faced rough going after the isles owners said yesterday that they would keep negotiating their sale to Tokyos governor. The stance by the Kurihara family, which owns four of the five uninhabited islands in the East China Sea, complicates Nodas efforts to dampen friction between the two Asian giants over the islands, claimed by China, Taiwan and Japan and located near rich fishing grounds and potential gas and oil fields. The starting line of our negotiations was with the Tokyo Metropolitan Government and at present we are proceeding with these discussions, said Hiroyuki Kurihara, whose brother and sister own the islands and lease them to Japans government. It is not our familys idea to suddenly switch partners just because someone else has appeared on the scene, Kurihara, 65, told a news conference. Noda said this month the government was considering buying the islands instead of letting Tokyo Governor Shintaro Ishihara an outspoken China critic go ahead with a similar plan. Diplomatic experts said Nodas move was intended to avoid a worsening of Sino-Japanese tensions but risked backfiring and indeed, Beijing has harshly criticised both plans, arguing the islands have been its territory since ancient times. Ties between Beijing and Tokyo went into a deep chill in 2010 after Japan arrested a Chinese trawler captain whose boat collided with Japanese Coast Guard vessels near the islands, and analysts say the feud has the potential to flare again. The Tokyo Metropolitan Government is expected to apply soon for permission to land on the islands, a move that could put the central government in a tight spot. Activists from Japan, China and Taiwan have landed on the islands in the past, sparking diplomatic disputes.

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Owners of islands shun PM Noda’s bid

Published: 8:57PM Saturday July 21, 2012 Source: ONE News

Three people involved in the Cook Islands' biggest ever drug bust have been sent to jail for up to six years.

Former senior policewoman Inano Matapo, her partner Giovanni Marsters and the postal worker who helped them Sam Tangaroa were all sentenced after admitting the role they played in a drug ring busted last year by 11 Kiwi cops.

Marsters was jailed for six years after pleading guilty to cannabis charges, including importing the drug.

Matapo, who's also the daughter of the former police commissioner, admitted selling the drug and corruption charges and was sentenced to two and a half years.

And Tangaroa, a postal worker who would intercept drug parcels before police dogs could detect them, will spend four years in jail for selling and supplying cannabis and importing the seeds.

Their arrests followed a year long investigation into the importation and distribution of cannabis in the Cook Islands.

A total of 13 people were arrested including a former high-ranking New Zealand policeman.

Mark Franklin was a Detective Inspector before leaving the police force to work as an independent investigator in Rarotonga.

It is alleged he was a small time dealer selling cannabis from a local bar.

Originally posted here:

Jail time for trio in Cook Islands drug bust

Colo. shooting spurs campaigns to limit schedules Colo. shooting spurs campaigns to limit schedules The deadly shootings at a movie theater in Colorado have briefly silenced the presidential campaign, prompting both President Barack Obama and Republican challenger Mitt Romney to cut short their schedules. The deadly shooting at a movie theater in Colorado has briefly silenced the presidential campaign, prompting both President Barack Obama and likely Republican challenger Mitt Romney to cut short their schedules and pull... Names of victims emerge in Colo. theater rampage Names of victims emerge in Colo. theater rampage A sports blogger who recently wrote about surviving a shooting in Canada. A man preparing to celebrate his first wedding anniversary. A young woman whose death announcement brought heartbreak, yet closure, to her... Ashley Moser drifted in and out of consciousness in the ICU, bullets lodged in her throat and abdomen. In her waking moments, she called for her 6-year-old daughter Veronica. News guide to the Colorado movie theater massacre News guide to the Colorado movie theater massacre By The Associated Press Here's a guide to some key questions in the wake of the mass shooting at a Colorado movie theater during a showing of "The Dark Knight Rises." By The Associated Press Here's a guide to some key questions in the wake of the mass shooting at a Colorado movie theater during a showing of "The Dark Knight Rises." US pledge to rebuild Haiti not being met US pledge to rebuild Haiti not being met The deadly earthquake that leveled Haiti's capital more than two years ago brought a thread of hope: a promise of renewal. With the United States taking the lead, international donors pledged billions of dollars... The deadly earthquake that leveled Haiti's capital more than two years ago brought a thread of hope: a promise of renewal. 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Bomb squads disarm traps at Colo. suspect's apt Bomb squads disarm traps at Colo. suspect's apt A Colorado suburb shocked and saddened by a deadly shooting spree at a midnight unveiling of the latest Batman movie grieved for the victims while authorities sought a motive and a safe way to reach clues inside... Authorities on Saturday began disarming trip wires and explosive devices "set up to kill" inside the apartment of the suspect in the deadly Colorado movie theater shooting, hoping to find clues to his motive without... Drew Peterson heads to trial in third wife's death Drew Peterson heads to trial in third wife's death Drew Peterson, the former police officer accused in the drowning death of his third wife, returns to the national spotlight next week when he goes on trial in suburban Chicago. For a man whose fourth wife had just disappeared, Drew Peterson didn't sound the least bit worried. 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Obama speaks on Colorado movie theater rampage Obama speaks on Colorado movie theater rampage Obama: Colorado shooting is reminder that 'small things' don't matter; Romney also to respond Obama: Colorado shooting is reminder that 'small things' don't matter; Romney also to respond Yahoo turns to former nemesis to be its CEO savior Yahoo turns to former nemesis to be its CEO savior After losing to Google for years, Yahoo strikes back by raiding its rival for its new CEO After losing to Google for years, Yahoo strikes back by raiding its rival for its new CEO NASA builds menu for planned Mars mission in 2030s Martian menu: Planned 2030 mission to Mars may give astronauts the chance to cook in space Martian menu: Planned 2030 mission to Mars may give astronauts the chance to cook in space Obama gets a second chance on the Kiss Cam Obama gets a second chance on the Kiss Cam A cautious Obama passes up kissing the first lady on basketball arena screen _ but not twice A cautious Obama passes up kissing the first lady on basketball arena screen _ but not twice Obama: I believe in in-sourcing Obama: I believe in in-sourcing Obama discusses his jobs program at an election rally Obama discusses his jobs program at an election rally Tart cherry crop in Midwest destroyed by weather Tart cherry crop in Midwest destroyed by weather Tart cherry companies struggle after warm spring followed by freeze destroys Midwest crop Tart cherry companies struggle after warm spring followed by freeze destroys Midwest crop Penn State probe accuses Paterno of cover-up Penn State probe accuses Paterno of cover-up Penn State probe says Paterno and others hushed up sex abuse reports for fear of bad publicity Penn State probe says Paterno and others hushed up sex abuse reports for fear of bad publicity Freeh: Penn St. disregarded children's safety Freeh: Penn St. disregarded children's safety Freeh: Penn St. officials had 'total disregard' for safety, welfare of Jerry Sandusky victims Freeh: Penn St. officials had 'total disregard' for safety, welfare of Jerry Sandusky victims Vet uses music to heal -- but says he's no 'hero' Vet uses music to heal -- but says he's no 'hero' 'Hero' label can be a barrier to healing after war, so vet singer tells it like it is 'Hero' label can be a barrier to healing after war, so vet singer tells it like it is Click it: Remember to check computer for malware Click it: Remember to check computer for malware In between scanning Twitter feeds, Facebook accounts, remember to check computer for malware In between scanning Twitter feeds, Facebook accounts, remember to check computer for malware

SAN JUAN, Puerto Rico (AP) - Puerto Rico and the U.S. Virgin Islands are partnering to better manage and preserve their coastal and ocean resources.

Puerto Rico's natural resources secretary says the partnership will target pollution, tourism, fishing, renewable energy and other issues. Daniel Galan Kercado says both U.S. territories also will share resources to study marine ecosystems and develop an economic plan to boost tourism.

The Caribbean Regional Ocean Partnership was signed late Friday.

Copyright 2012 The Associated Press. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed.

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Puerto Rico, Virgin Islands join for ocean project

ScienceDaily (July 20, 2012) NOAA Ship Oscar Elton Sette arrived back in its homeport of Honolulu a few days ago after a month in Papahnaumokukea Marine National Monument. The team of 17 scientists collected nearly 50 metric tons of marine debris, which threatens monk seals, sea turtles and other marine life in the coral reef ecosystem, in the Northwestern Hawaiian Islands (NWHI). NOAA has conducted annual removal missions of marine debris in the NWHI since 1996 as part of a coral restoration effort.

"What surprises us is that after many years of marine debris removal in Papahnaumokukea and more than 700 metric tons of debris later, we are still collecting a significant amount of derelict fishing gear from the shallow coral reefs and shorelines," said Kyle Koyanagi, marine debris operations manager at NOAA Fisheries' Pacific Islands Fisheries Science Center and chief scientist for the mission. "The ship was at maximum capacity and we did not have any space for more debris."

Scientists load boats with marine debris collected at Midway Atoll in Papahnaumokukea Marine National Monument. High resolution (Credit: NOAA) This year, marine debris was collected from waters and shorelines around northern most islands and atolls: Kure Atoll, Midway Atoll, Pearl and Hermes Atoll, Lisianski Island and Laysan Island. Approximately half of the debris was composed of derelict fishing gear and plastics from Midway Atoll's shallow coral reef environments, where the team also completed a 27-day land-based mission prior to loading debris on the 224-ft. NOAA Ship Oscar Elton Sette.

As part of this year's mission, the NOAA team did look for debris from the 2011 tsunami in Japan, however, no debris with an explicit connection to the tsunami was found. Scientists monitored marine debris for radiation in partnership with the Hawaii Department of Health out of abundance of caution and to gather baseline data from the NWHI.

"While we did not find debris with an obvious connection to last year's tsunami, this mission was a great opportunity to leverage activities that had already been planned and see what we might find," said Carey Morishige, Pacific Islands regional coordinator for NOAA's Marine Debris Program. "It's also an important reminder that marine debris is an everyday problem, especially here in the Pacific."

NOAA divers cut a Hawaiian green sea turtle free from a derelict fishing net during a recent mission to collect marine debris in the Northwestern Hawaiian Islands. High resolution (Credit: NOAA) A portion of the funding for this year's marine debris removal activities was provided as part of the legal settlement collected by NOAA's Damage Assessment, Remediation and Restoration Program from a July 2005 ship grounding at Pearl and Hermes Atoll in the Monument. Additional support was provided by NOAA's Marine Debris Program, NOAA Fisheries' Pacific Islands Fisheries Science Center and Papahnaumokukea Marine National Monument, as well as other partners including U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, the State of Hawaii, U.S. Coast Guard, Schnitzer Steel, and Covanta Energy.

Marine debris removed during this project will be used to create electricity through Hawaii's Nets to Energy Program, a public-private partnership. Since 2002, more than 730 metric tons of derelict nets have been used to create electricity -- enough to power nearly 350 Hawai'i homes for a year.

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Fifty metric tons of marine debris from Northwestern Hawaiian Islands

SAVANNAH, GA (WTOC) -

Children at the Islands YMCA celebrated Brazil Day Friday with a carnival.

Students from Brazil spend time here as counselors, teaching the children all about Brazil's culture, food, festivities and even a few Portuguese phrases.

The Brazilians stay with Y families, giving them an opportunity to lean about American family life.

Copyright 2012WTOC. All rights reserved.

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Islands YMCA celebrates Brazil Day

The Japanese family that owns a chain of East China Sea islands at the centre of a territorial row between Tokyo and Beijing said Friday it wants to sell the tiny archipelago "as soon as we can".

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Japan owner of disputed islands wants to sell

TOKYO (Reuters) - Prime Minister Yoshihiko Noda's effort to nationalize a chain of disputed islands long a source of friction between Japan and China faced rough going after the isles' owners said on Friday they would keep negotiating their sale to Tokyo's governor. The stance by the Kurihara family, which owns four of the five uninhabited islands in the East China Sea, complicates Noda's ...

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Owners of islands in Japan-China feud shun PM Noda's bid

Prospecting for oil and gas in the South Atlantic waters off Falkland Islands is attracting investors despite heavy losses suffered by some of the British companies involved in the project.

STANLEY, Falkland Islands, July 18 (UPI) -- Prospecting for oil and natural gas in the South Atlantic waters off Falkland Islands is attracting investors despite heavy losses suffered by some British companies involved in the project.

A continuing incentive for international investors is the promise of significant finds of crude oil and natural gas in the ocean, indicated in scientific surveys of the seabed and geological formations.

Argentine challenges to the hydrocarbon exploration program haven't deterred investors or prospectors. Britain backs the effort, arguing it's a step in the right direction to make Falklanders financially independent.

Argentina invaded the islands in 1982 but was repulsed by Britain in a 74-day conflict that led to the deaths of 649 Argentine troops, 255 British military personnel and three Falkland Islanders.

Argentina says the islands are historically part of its territory and calls the islands' British overseas territory status a colonial anachronism.

Despite positive results in some early investigative drilling, prospecting firms also faced setbacks. Shares in Borders and Southern Petroleum slumped 70 percent after a well drilled at great expense south of the islands failed to yield gas in commercial quantities.

It was the second unproductive drilling operation in the area by Borders and Southern Petroleum, which is listed on the London Alternative Investments Market.

About three months ago, the company's stock was riding high, raising investors' hopes they were headed for an energy bonanza.

Supporters for the exploration program say prospects are still immense and Borders and Southern Petroleum was just unlucky. The company's experience also affected the stocks of other companies operating in the area, even as efforts were under way to secure more funding for the relatively successful Falkland Oil and Gas and Rockhopper.

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Falklands oil results a blow to U.K. firms

The Faroe Islands, an autonomous Danish territory, on Wednesday harshly criticised calls by Ireland and other EU countries for sanctions against it and Iceland for over-fishing of mackerel.

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Faroe Islands blast threat of EU sanctions in mackerel war

Photos from Canary Islands, Turkey, China and Canada.

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Pictures of the Day: Canary Islands and Elsewhere

The path curved uphill, flanked by sycamore, holly and scented acacia. I breathed in the delicate smell of honeysuckle and resisted the urge to twist a peach off its branch. As this is a national park, you are not allowed to pick anything or even take shells from the beach.

After another swim it was time to get the boat back to Vigo, about nine miles (15km) away. We sailed into the Ra de Vigo, one of the deep inlets that characterise this part of the Galician coast, passing a string of equally tempting beaches and hundreds of mussel rafts the mix of salt and fresh water creates a rich ecosystem that is particularly good for cultivating mussels and oysters.

Ra de Vigo, one of the deep inlets of the Galician coast (Alamy)

Back in Vigo, I wandered from the port into the lanes of the old town, which are lined with little bars offering some of the best seafood youll ever taste. As darkness fell, I ordered a glass of albario, the locally made white wine, and devoured a plate of the freshest octopus. Later on, the sweet sound of a violin led me to a regueifa, a bar hidden away in a tiny square, where I discovered to my amazement that the violinist Begoa Riob was playing in the corner with her group, one of the top Galician folk bands.

While the beach might have fooled me into believing that I was in the Caribbean, listening to that music, another glass of albario in my hand, there was no doubt in mind that I was in Galicia, and I wouldnt have wanted to be anywhere else.

Galicia essentials

GETTING THERE

Vueling (0906 754 7541; vueling.com) flies from Heathrow to Vigo three times a week from April to October, from 97 return. From June to September, there are regular boats to the Ces Islands from Vigo (a less frequent service operates at Easter and in May and October). The voyage takes about 50 minutes and costs 16/13 return (0034 986 225272; mardeons.com). It is best to book online, but tickets are also available at the Mar de Ons office in the Estacin Martima de Ra in the harbour and through most hotels. Boats also leave from Baiona and Cangas. Further information at iatlanticas.es and turismodevigo.org.

THE INSIDE TRACK

THE BEST HOTELS

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Secret seaside: Cíes Islands of Galicia, Spain