Stories for March 2014

Friday, March 7th 2014 - 05:10 UTC
With an eye on Argentina and Venezuela, Brazil private sector wants Mercosur trade in local currencies

Brazil's private sector concerned with harsh times ahead, particularly with exports to Argentina and Venezuela are proposing that Mercosur trade should be done with local currencies leaving aside the US dollar. The initiative was launched by the president of the Brazil-Argentina Commerce Chamber.
Friday, March 7th 2014 - 05:02 UTC
OAS leader compares the 'dynamic imbalance' in trade talks EU/US and EU with Mercosur

The dynamic imbalance in trade negotiations is clearly evident in the case of trade negotiations of Canada and the US with the European Union, and what happens with EU/Mercosur trade talks that have been going for seventeen years, with no clear results yet, according to OAS Secretary General Miguel Insulza.
Friday, March 7th 2014 - 04:48 UTC
MSC Certification for Falkland Islands Toothfish reflects high management standards

Marine Stewardship Council (MSC) certification has been granted to the Falklands Islands Toothfish longline fishery, announced on Thursday Consolidated Fisheries Ltd. (CFL). The fishery is the first in the Falkland Islands to be certified and reflects the high standards of fisheries management and environmental measures practised within the Islands on the Patagonian toothfish fishery.
Friday, March 7th 2014 - 04:41 UTC
Cristina Fernandez wants France to lobby before the Paris Club

President Cristina Fernandez is expected to visit France for the opening of Paris Book Show, with a great display of Argentine culture and conferences, but most important she will be meeting on 19 March with her peer Francois Hollande to strongly lobby for a better deal with the Paris Club for the payment of a defaulted debt of 10bn dollars dating back to 2001.
Friday, March 7th 2014 - 03:15 UTC
Two more dead in Venezuelan streets as protests continue

A Venezuelan soldier and a motor cyclist were killed in a standoff with opposition demonstrators who had set up a barricade along an avenue of Caracas, the vice president of the ruling Socialist Party said on Thursday.
Friday, March 7th 2014 - 03:08 UTC
UK health authorities warn travelers to Brazil World Cup about tropical diseases

UK's Public Health England (PHE) and National Travel Health Network and Center (NaTHNaC9 have produced a factsheet for football fans going to Brazil for the FIFA Football World Cup from 12 June to 13 July 2014 with information on how to stay healthy and keep safe.
Thursday, March 6th 2014 - 21:45 UTC
Foreign Office minister Swire will visit Uruguay on Wednesday 12 March

Hugo Swire MP, FCO Minister for Latin America, will be visiting Uruguay on Wednesday 12 March where he is scheduled to hold several political and trade meetings. The minister will be returning from Santiago de Chile where he will attend the inauguration ceremony of Chilean president Michelle Bachelet.
Thursday, March 6th 2014 - 21:40 UTC
Jamaica pledges to decriminalize cannabis ('ganja') “later this year”

Jamaica's Cannabis Commercial and Medicinal Research Taskforce (CCMRT) says it has been given an assurance that the country later this year will decriminalize marijuana as the island seeks to establish a medicinal marijuana industry.
Thursday, March 6th 2014 - 21:13 UTC
UK interest rate held at 0.5%, making it a record low of five years

UK interest rates have been held at 0.5% for another month, the Bank of England announced on Thursday. The decision by the Bank's Monetary Policy Committee comes five years after the record low level was first introduced.
Thursday, March 6th 2014 - 21:07 UTC
Fearing deflation Euro bank leaves interest rate unchanged at record low

The European Central Bank (ECB) kept on Thursday its benchmark interest rate at its record low of 0.25%, despite fears inflation could get stuck in a “danger zone” below 1%. The bank slightly raised its forecast for growth to 1.2% in 2014, but dropped its inflation estimate.