Stories for March 6th 2018

Tuesday, March 6th 2018 - 10:00 UTC
Trump speaks openly of a “trade war”; links tariffs on steel and aluminum to a redrafted Nafta

U.S. President Donald Trump said on Monday the U.S. is not backing down on its decision to impose 25% tariffs on steel imports and 10% tariffs on imported aluminum products. Before a White House meeting with Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, Trump suggested Mexico and Canada could be exempted from the planned tariffs if a new and “fair” North American Free Trade Agreement (NAFTA) is reached.
Tuesday, March 6th 2018 - 09:54 UTC
Forget Berlusconi: Italy has become a major setback for the European Union

Italy's general election on Sunday has so far resulted in a hung parliament, with the country's Euro skeptic Five Star Movement emerging as the single party with the most votes. The centre-right coalition headed by former Prime Minister Silvio Berlusconi is expected to gain between 248 and 268 seats and a 37% vote share, which is still short of a majority. Some 316 seats are needed to form a government.
Tuesday, March 6th 2018 - 09:46 UTC
China increases its military budget 8.1% to US$ 175bn; regional powers “nervous”

China revealed on Monday that it will raise its military budget by US$ 175 billion for the 2018 fiscal year, 8.1% increase that is the largest military spending hike in three years. According to Premier Li Keqiang, the additional funding will “advance all aspects of military training and war preparedness, and firmly and resolvedly safeguard national sovereignty, security, and development interests.”
Tuesday, March 6th 2018 - 09:36 UTC
Beijing anticipates 6.5% growth, steady rise in foreign trade and prudent and neutral monetary policy

China aims to expand its economy by around 6.5% this year, the same as in 2017, while pressing ahead with its campaign to reduce risks in the financial system, Premier Li Keqiang said on Monday. The goal was kept unchanged even though the economy grew 6.9% last year and exceeded the government's target.
Tuesday, March 6th 2018 - 09:31 UTC
Argentine seafood exports in 2017 totaled 475,591 tons and US$ 1,8bn

Argentine seafood exports grew by almost 7% in volume and around 16% in dollar value during 2017, according to the final figures published by the Under-secretariat of Fisheries in its latest Report. Data from the Economics Department, based on information from INDEC shows that fisheries exports totaled US$ 1,978bn, a 16.4% higher compared to 2016, while the volume was up 6.9% to 475,591 tons.
Tuesday, March 6th 2018 - 09:22 UTC
Falklands' calamari fishery: vessels equipped with robust seal exclusion devices

Falkland Islands Director of National Resources, John Barton, reported that after a slow start, fishery catches were beginning to pick up: trawlers had started operating and there were only a few jiggers still to collect their licenses.
Tuesday, March 6th 2018 - 09:15 UTC
Washington state phases out Atlantic salmon farming following the collapse of a marine net-pen

After a lengthy debate, Washington State Legislature has passed a bill phasing out Atlantic salmon net-pen farming ban in the state waters. The approved bill would end state leases and permits for operations that grow nonnative finfish in state waters when current leases expire in 2022.
Tuesday, March 6th 2018 - 09:10 UTC
Drifting jigger towed outside the Falklands' Conservation zone

The Taiwanese jigger Hung Shun 1 which on 24 February caught fire to the north of the Falkland Islands capital Stanley, last Sunday was towed outside the Islands Conservation zone. When the incident took place last month all 58 crew members were swiftly and safely evacuated to another fishing vessel Lung Soon Fa 1, which was in the area at that time.
Tuesday, March 6th 2018 - 09:00 UTC
Falklands: Public Accounts Committee reviews commodity prices

During its last constitutional review, which concluded in 2008, the Falkland Islands established a Public Accounts Committee (PAC). This was based on such committees elsewhere in the world and has now been in operation for a number of years. It has an independent Chair and community members, though two Members of the Legislative Assembly also sit on the Committee at any point in time.
Tuesday, March 6th 2018 - 08:59 UTC
UK supermarkets ban sales of energy drinks to children under 16

Sales of energy drinks to children under 16 have been banned in most major UK supermarkets, amid concerns about high levels of sugar and caffeine. Boots is also joining supermarkets such as Asda, Waitrose, Tesco and the Co-op in introducing the rule.