Stories for March 2016

Wednesday, March 16th 2016 - 07:24 UTC
Latin American fiscal weakness and lack of 'tax culture' addressed in ECLAC forum

Evasion is one of the main weaknesses of the tax systems in the Latin America and the Caribbean economies, accounting for 320 billion dollars in 2014 - according to the Fiscal Panorama of Latin America and the Caribbean 2016, launched by the UN regional office, ECLAC, in Santiago de Chile.
Wednesday, March 16th 2016 - 07:18 UTC
OAS observers to the Dominican Republic general elections on 15 May

The Organization of American States (OAS) and the Government of the Dominican Republic signed formal agreements by which the hemispheric institution will send an Electoral Observation Mission (EOM) to the general elections of May 15, which will be headed by the former President of Colombia, Andrés Pastrana.
Wednesday, March 16th 2016 - 07:04 UTC
Minister Hugo Swire: “The Commonwealth is no relic of the past”

Minister of State Rt Hon Hugo Swire MP blogs on the importance of the Commonwealth following his visit to New Zealand and Canada.Sometimes the Commonwealth is seen as a relic of the past. I argue passionately that it is nothing of the sort. The test is always the same – would we invent the Commonwealth today? The answer is that we would. It is an important organisation for the present and the future.
Wednesday, March 16th 2016 - 06:36 UTC
Lula da Silva on the run ready o accept position in cabinet; markets and Real collapse on the news

Brazil's ex-president Lula da Silva will accept a position in his successor's cabinet, according to a leading national newspaper, in order to protect himself from prosecution in a corruption case involving the state-run oil company, Petrobras. Rio-based O Globo newspaper reported on Tuesday that Lula had told several close advisers that he would rejoin the cabinet, citing no sources. Brazilian markets and currency collapsed on the news.
Wednesday, March 16th 2016 - 06:05 UTC
Argentina sinks Chinese jigger which refused to stop and even tried to ram the patrol vessel

Argentina's coast guard has sunk a Chinese flagged jigger that was fishing illegally within its territorial waters, the coast guard said on Tuesday, marking a first test for relations between President Mauricio Macri and Beijing.In a high-seas chase, a coast guard vessel pursued the fishing vessel Lu Yan Yuan Yu 010 toward international waters, firing warning shots across the Chinese boat's bow as it attempted to raise the crew by radio.
Tuesday, March 15th 2016 - 05:06 UTC
Lula prepared to accept a ministry to avoid arrest, according to Brazil's leading media

Former Brazilian leader Lula da Silva has accepted a key ministerial role in President Dilma Rousseff's government, leading media in Sao Paulo have reported. Members of the governing Workers' Party say his appointment will strengthen her beleaguered administration. In becoming a minister, Lula will also have some legal protection. Allegedly the two are to meet on Tuesday in Brasilia.
Monday, March 14th 2016 - 23:42 UTC
World famous toothfish poaching vessel caught and destroyed in Indonesia

Indonesian authorities on Monday bombed the last major ship internationally wanted for years of illegally taking toothfish from southern waters, reiterating a strong message to would-be poachers who enter the country's waters.
Monday, March 14th 2016 - 23:36 UTC
Argentina not planning a trade deal with the US, “it's a joint task for Mercosur”

It would be 'hasty' to consider that Argentina is ready to sign a trade agreement with the United States, but in any case the issue must be addressed by Mercosur, and it's the whole group that should advance in that direction, said Argentina's foreign minister Susana Malcorra.
Monday, March 14th 2016 - 13:17 UTC
Queen's Commonwealth Day speech focused on inclusivity

People of the Commonwealth should “support those in need” and others who “feel excluded”, the Queen said in her annual message to the association, which is focused on inclusivity. She said helping those less fortunate would be a way of embodying this year's Commonwealth theme of inclusivity.
Monday, March 14th 2016 - 11:35 UTC
Falklands experiences steady growth in cruise visitors and leisure tourists

By Joshua Peck - The number of cruise passengers visiting the Falkland Islands is projected to increase for the third season in a row. Each tourist season, lasting from October to March, sees numerous cruise vessels arrive in the Falklands, with passengers typically disembarking for a single day onshore. The last cruise vessel for the current season is scheduled to arrive on 31st March.