Stories for March 15th 2011

Tuesday, March 15th 2011 - 23:49 UTC
Mercosur claims EU is willing to continue negotiations, but requests more time

Mercosur was prepared to listen to proposals on liberalizing trade, but the European Union requested more time and continue working with the negotiations, according to Mercosur delegates attending the trade talks with EU in Brussels.
Tuesday, March 15th 2011 - 23:47 UTC
Cuba devalues currency 8% to boost exports and imports substitution process

Cuba devalued its convertible peso by 8% Monday to the level of parity with the US dollar as part of efforts to boost the island's flagging economy, the central bank said. Use of the convertible peso is limited to tourists and other foreigners, for Cubans who receive remittances from abroad and for export activity
Tuesday, March 15th 2011 - 23:38 UTC
EU chief negotiator admits ‘complications’ but confident of a trade accord with Mercosur

A strongly worded resolution from Members of the European Parliament earlier this month outlining their concerns over agriculture does not represent a setback for EU-Mercosur trade talks, the EU chief negotiator said in Brussels.
Tuesday, March 15th 2011 - 11:12 UTC
The Queen’s Commonwealth Day speech

Last week, on the 8th of March, we marked the hundredth anniversary of the first International Women’s Day. The idea of having a women’s day was first proposed against the backdrop of the rapid industrialisation of the early twentieth century.
Tuesday, March 15th 2011 - 11:05 UTC
President Obama will underline ‘coincidences’ during his visit to Brazil

US ambassador in Brazil Thomas Shannon downplayed differences between Washington and Brasilia saying that coincidences are far greater and will be the core of discussions during the coming visit of US president Barack Obama next week end.
Tuesday, March 15th 2011 - 10:56 UTC
Cristina Fernandez election campaign takes off with a resounding success

A surprise ruling party victory in Argentina’s first provincial election of the year gives President Cristina Fernandez a boost before her likely re-election bid in October. CFK ally Lucia Corpacci ousted the current governor of Catamarca province, who sought a third term in Sunday’s vote.
Tuesday, March 15th 2011 - 10:54 UTC
CFK announces Arabs will enlarge the port of Buenos Aires

Argentine President Cristina Fernández de Kirchner spoke at the official ceremony for the opening of the the new cruise ship terminal of the Buenos Aires City port and highlighted “the importance of boosting tourism, which contributes to Argentina's growth and creates jobs.”
Tuesday, March 15th 2011 - 10:26 UTC
China’s largest agro enterprise plans to buy or lease 200.000 hectares world wide

China’s largest agricultural enterprise, Heilongjiang Beidahuang Nongken Group, will acquire or lease 200,000 hectares of cropland in countries including Brazil, Argentina, Venezuela, Russia, The Philippines, Australia and Zimbabwe, the official People’s Daily newspaper said.
Tuesday, March 15th 2011 - 10:19 UTC
Harvard ranked as the university with the world highest reputation

According to Times Higher Education (THE) ever World Reputation Rankings, Harvard, MIT and the University of Cambridge are the most globally well-regarded universities.
Tuesday, March 15th 2011 - 10:16 UTC
China became world’s top manufacturing nation, ending 110 year US leadership

China has ended a 110-year-long US leadership, overtaking the country as the world's top manufacturing nation in 2010, reports quoting a research report by US-based consultancy IHS Global Insight said.