Stories for March 20th 2015

Friday, March 20th 2015 - 08:23 UTC
Venezuela condemns US 'tyrannical” attempts in New York Times full page ad

Venezuela has placed a full page ad in The New York Times decrying what it charges are “tyrannical” attempts by the US government to undermine its socialist system. The ad declaring that “Venezuela is not a threat” comes amid mounting tensions between the two countries after President Nicolás Maduro this month accused Washington of plotting to oust him and ordered the US Embassy in Caracas to slash staffing levels.
Friday, March 20th 2015 - 08:18 UTC
Israel honors Nisman on bombing anniversary; crowd calls Argentine officials 'scoundrels'

Israel honored the figure of Argentine former special prosecutor Alberto Nisman during the Thursday ceremony in Buenos Aires to mark the 23rd anniversary of the 1992 attack on the Israel Embassy that claimed the life of 22 people and injured dozens.
Friday, March 20th 2015 - 08:03 UTC
US website to honor Nisman has among its sponsors the head of a hedge fund in litigation with Argentina

A Washington-based think-tank launched a website and award to honor the memory of late AMIA special prosecutor Alberto Nisman yet its founders raised a few eyebrows as they include someone who has an ongoing court case and regularly spoken ill of Argentina.
Friday, March 20th 2015 - 07:57 UTC
Argentine government claims Nisman could have committed “embezzlement and bribery” crimes

The Argentine government leading spokesperson launched another furious (smear) attack on the late AMIA special prosecutor Alberto Nisman, alleging he committed federal crimes if he spent government funds in prostitutes and champagne, and kept part of the salaries of his staff.
Friday, March 20th 2015 - 07:42 UTC
HSBC closing Jersey accounts belonging to customers living in UK

HSBC is closing accounts on Jersey belonging to customers living in the UK. It is part of a move by UK banks carrying out checks on the identity and addresses of thousands of their customers on the Channel Islands. The London-based bank said it had taken measures to prevent its services being misused.
Friday, March 20th 2015 - 07:26 UTC
Top Gear host Jeremy Clarkson 'fracas' incident report nearing conclusion

The BBC's report into Top Gear host Jeremy Clarkson is to be handed over to the director general next week. The internal investigation into Clarkson's suspension, following a “fracas” with a producer, will be considered by Tony Hall next week.
Friday, March 20th 2015 - 07:19 UTC
Brazil's Real drops to lowest since April 2003; loss of 17% against the dollar this year

No end to Brazil's economic woes: the Brazilian currency depreciated 2.7% on Thursday, at 3.30 Reales to the US dollar, its worst performance since April 2003. With this loss of ground the Real cut short a three day recovery, because since last Monday it had been climbing against the greenback.
Friday, March 20th 2015 - 07:12 UTC
Names of Argentines with HSBC offshore accounts in Switzerland to be made public

Argentina will move forward with its investigation of the HSBC offshore accounts in Switzerland, and will make public the names of those Argentine citizens and organizations that held money overseas in the financial entity, allegedly with the purpose of eluding local taxes.
Friday, March 20th 2015 - 07:05 UTC
Ten people killed as small chartered plane crashes few minutes after takeoff in Uruguay

Ten people have been reported dead when a small chartered airplane with Argentine plates crashed Thursday night after taking off at the Laguna del Sauce airport, near the Uruguayan resort of Punta del Este. Rescue teams and fire personnel confirmed at least seven charred bodies.