Stories for March 15th 2014

Saturday, March 15th 2014 - 08:25 UTC
Despite inflation Astori argues that cutting government spending is not the solution

It is a mistake to blame government expenditure for the increase of prices, as is the concept that inflation can be defeated by cutting government spending, said Uruguayan Vice-president and economist Danilo Astori, who argued that in many cases these funds are essential to finance public investments and social policies.
Saturday, March 15th 2014 - 08:13 UTC
Uruguay combats inflation with price agreements and reducing taxes on public utilities rates

The Uruguayan government finalized on Friday a prices agreement with commerce and trade organizations to help bring down the third highest inflation of the region which is advancing at an almost two-digit pace. The package is to be completed with government fiscal 'sacrifice' such as the elimination of taxes on some public utilities rates.
Saturday, March 15th 2014 - 08:06 UTC
UN draft resolution states Crimea's Sunday referendum 'has no validity'

A draft UN Security Council resolution declares that Sunday's planned referendum on Crimea's status “can have no validity” and urges nations and international organizations not to recognize it, according to a copy obtained by Reuters.
Saturday, March 15th 2014 - 08:00 UTC
Queen Michelle Bachelet is back, but that was the easy bit, says The Economist

Michelle Bachelet became the first person since General Carlos Ibañez in 1952 to return to Chile’s presidential palace, La Moneda, for a second term. According to a recent official history of the building, the general was a stickler for fitness.
Saturday, March 15th 2014 - 07:55 UTC
Argentina will be present with a pavilion at the Boston Seafood Expo

Argentina will be present at the Boston Seafood Expo North America, which is considered the most important of the United States and is scheduled for March 16/18, announced the Argentine Foreign ministry indicating it was part of the government's campaign to increase and diversify foreign trade and exports.
Saturday, March 15th 2014 - 04:58 UTC
Argentine government picks on Swire interview to attack opposition leaders

Argentine cabinet chief Jorge Capitanich claimed that UK's preference to talk about the Falklands/Malvinas dispute with opposition presidential hopefuls, clearly means that “these leaders are willing to a greater flexibility regarding foreign interests in the dispute”.
Saturday, March 15th 2014 - 04:51 UTC
Creditor nations Paris Club and Argentina will begin debt discussions in May

The Argentine government confirmed on Friday that the Paris Club of creditor nations have invited the country to start formal negotiations towards the end of May, apparently following on the proposal made by the Cristina Fernandez administration last January.
Saturday, March 15th 2014 - 04:37 UTC
The Crimean oblast at the heart of a dispute that goes deep into Russian history

On February 27, 1954 Pravda published a short announcement on its front page that the Presidium of the Supreme Soviet of the USSR had decreed on February 19 the transfer of the Crimean oblast' from the RSFSR to the Ukrainian Soviet Socialist Republic.
Saturday, March 15th 2014 - 04:26 UTC
February annual inflation in Venezuela soars to 57.3%; Maduro blames the 'economic war'

Venezuela's annual inflation rate rose to 57.3% in February, the central bank said as violent opposition demonstrations during the month disrupted the economy. However the bank also pointed out that despite the protests inflation slowed on a month-on-month basis to 2.4% from 3.3% in January.
Saturday, March 15th 2014 - 04:12 UTC
“Crimea means more to Russia than the Falklands to Britain”

Crimea means more to Russia than the Falklands mean to Britain, Russia's Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov said on Friday after holding last-ditch talks on the region with his U.S. counterpart John Kerry.