Stories for March 2018

Wednesday, March 7th 2018 - 07:32 UTC
UK threatens Russia with robust response if ex spy and daughter have been poisoned

Britain has threatened a “robust” response if it is proven that Russia is behind the apparent attempted killing of a former double agent. Sergei Skripal and his daughter were found collapsed in their home town in southern England on Sunday, showing symptoms of poisoning.
Wednesday, March 7th 2018 - 06:36 UTC
Lula closer to prison, but remains undisputed front-runner in the presidential election

Former Brazilian President Lula da Silva is a step closer to prison. A panel of judges on Brazil’s Superior Court of Justice on Tuesday rejected Lula da Silva’s request for an injunction that would prevent him from being imprisoned as he appeals a corruption conviction.
Wednesday, March 7th 2018 - 06:08 UTC
Chilean president presents constitutional reform a week before leaving office

Chilean president Michelle Bachelet is ending her term with an ambitious proposal for a new constitution that would ensure equal pay for men and women and strengthen guarantees of the right to strike. Bachelet sent the proposal to Congress on Tuesday, just five days before she leaves office.
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.