Stories for March 3rd 2015

Tuesday, March 3rd 2015 - 23:08 UTC
The entire Great Lakes almost completely covered with ice

The entire Great Lakes, shared by Canada and the United States is at 88.8% ice coverage, with the highest totals coming from Lake Huron and Lake Erie at about 96% ice coverage according to Great Lakes Environmental Research Laboratory, part of the US National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration, NOAA.
Tuesday, March 3rd 2015 - 22:56 UTC
Queen Elizabeth will name cruise vessel Britannia in Southampton

P&O Cruises has confirmed that Her Majesty The Queen, accompanied by His Royal Highness The Duke of Edinburgh, will name the new P&O Cruises vessel Britannia at Ocean Terminal, Southampton, SO14 3QN, on Tuesday March 10, 2015.
Tuesday, March 3rd 2015 - 22:37 UTC
Malvinas' 50-Peso bill, an Argentine stunt, says Foreign Office minister

Britain derided a new Argentine banknote featuring the disputed Falkland Islands as a stunt on Tuesday and said it had no intention of discussing sovereignty over the archipelago with Buenos Aires.
Tuesday, March 3rd 2015 - 22:32 UTC
UK should support the Pacific Alliance

By Hugo Swire of the UK Foreign and Commonwealth Office - A year ago I spoke at a summit in London hosted by the Financial Times and the Foreign and Commonwealth Office (FCO) about how the UK could work most effectively with the ‘Pacific Alliance’.
Tuesday, March 3rd 2015 - 12:44 UTC
One of Chile's most active volcanoes erupts: 3.500 people evacuated

A volcano in Villarrica, southern Chile erupted early Tuesday morning, spewing lava into the sky and causing about 3,500 people to evacuate. The volcano, which is one of South America's most active, sent ash and smoke 3,300 feet into the air at about 3 a.m. local time. It did not cause any injuries to people or damage to infrastructure, according to the Chilean e-news Emol.com.
Tuesday, March 3rd 2015 - 06:46 UTC
Maduro gives US two weeks to cut size of Caracas embassy staff to 17

Venezuela's government has given the U.S. two weeks to slash the size of its embassy staff in Caracas to 17 diplomats as tensions between the two nations rise. Foreign Minister Delcy Rodriguez made the announcement Monday after a meeting with the top American diplomat in Caracas. She said it is up to the U.S. to decide which of an estimated 100 diplomats it wishes to send home.
Tuesday, March 3rd 2015 - 06:34 UTC
Uruguay's economy vulnerabilities: inflation and budget deficit, says IMF report

The Uruguayan economy is decelerating gradually after a decade of strong and inclusive growth. Export receipts are growing at a markedly lower clip than a few years ago and domestic demand growth is slowing towards a more sustainable pace. At the same time, inflation remains above the target range and the primary fiscal balance has weakened further in 2014.
Tuesday, March 3rd 2015 - 06:24 UTC
Dollar on Monday at an eleven year peak against major currencies

The dollar rose on Monday against major currencies touching an 11-year peak. The Euro, which has been in an extended slump, had been up by as much as a third of a percent against the dollar but surrendered gains and traded near unchanged at just under $1.12.
Tuesday, March 3rd 2015 - 06:17 UTC
Truckers strike in Brazil still disrupting traffic in several states; soy harvest delayed

Striking truck drivers resumed some roadblocks in Brazil on Monday even as the government cracked down on protesters and promised to implement a law to lower toll costs and give other benefits to the transport sector.
Tuesday, March 3rd 2015 - 06:05 UTC
“One Team, One Country, One Dream” - It's just Davis Cup tennis

By Federico Coronado - Argentina's team prepares for this coming weekend's clash against Brazil. Statement of unity with controversial choice of words for tie versus sporting arch-rivals. Del Potro still not fit, will be there to assist teammates, anyway.