Stories for March 2014

Wednesday, March 19th 2014 - 07:21 UTC
With Malvinas in mind, Argentine diplomat calls for recreating links with UK

The recent visit to Chile and particularly Uruguay of Foreign Office minister for Latin-American Hugo Swire has triggered a barrage of comments and debate in Argentina about the Falklands/Malvinas, particularly aggressive towards the FCO official, but not surprising.
Wednesday, March 19th 2014 - 07:13 UTC
US regulator sues 16 banks for allegedly manipulating the Libor

US regulator has sued 16 banks for allegedly manipulating the London interbank offered rate (Libor).The Libor rate is used to set trillions of dollars of financial contracts, including mortgages and financial transactions around the world.
Wednesday, March 19th 2014 - 07:07 UTC
Mercosur has been 'a good deal' for Uruguay, 'it could have been better'

President Jose Mujica said that Mercosur even with all its problems “has been a good deal” although it “could have been better”, and it is imperative that the group signs trade agreements with Europe and China, which has become the main trade partner of the region.
Wednesday, March 19th 2014 - 06:59 UTC
Venezuelan congress wants opposition lawmaker on trial for 'treason'

Venezuela's Congress on Tuesday requested a criminal investigation of opposition deputy Maria Corina Machado for crimes including treason in relation to her involvement in anti-government protests that have left at least 28 dead.
Wednesday, March 19th 2014 - 06:50 UTC
End of privacy: US NSA can record all phone calls and play them back

The US National Security Agency has created a surveillance system that is recording all the phone calls in an undisclosed foreign country, allowing it to play back any conversation up to 30 days later, the Washington Post reported on Tuesday.
Tuesday, March 18th 2014 - 22:15 UTC
Carney begins implementation of 'root-and-branch' review in Bank of England

Two new deputy governors have been named at the Bank of England, as part of a radical shake-up by governor Mark Carney. Ben Broadbent will become deputy governor responsible for monetary policy, and Nemat Shafik will take charge of markets and banking.
Tuesday, March 18th 2014 - 22:00 UTC
Chile suggests the Pacific Alliance and Mercosur should consider integration

Chile's new foreign minister Heraldo Muñoz ratified his country's membership of the Pacific Alliance, a much questioned group by other regional organizations such as the Venezuelan inspired ALBA and even Mercosur led by Brazil, and suggested that Mercosur and the Pacific Alliance could consider integration. Chile is currently an associate member of Mercosur.
Tuesday, March 18th 2014 - 06:59 UTC
Malvinas/Crimea: Cristina Fernandez blasts UK on “double standard”

Argentine President Cristina Fernández has criticized what she dubbed a “double standard” from the United Kingdom, due to the nation condemning the Crimean referendum on union with Russia while supporting the rights of Falklands/Malvinas residents to hold a vote on their future.
Tuesday, March 18th 2014 - 06:56 UTC
Moody's downgrades Argentina's because of inconsistent economic policy

International credit rating agency Moody's has reduced the rating of Argentina's sovereign debt, moving the grade down one step from B3 to Caa1 due to the fall in the nation's international reserves and its “inconsistent” economic policy.
Tuesday, March 18th 2014 - 06:52 UTC
China's Yuan trading band doubled to 2%; a step closer so full convertibility

China's Yuan weakened against the dollar on Monday after the central bank doubled the trading band for the currency, which the United States has long insisted is undervalued. The People's Bank of China (PBoC) said Saturday it would allow the Yuan to move up or down two percent daily -- double the previous one percent -- on either side of a mid-point set under the guidance of the bank, which says it polls market makers.