Stories for March 16th 2023

Thursday, March 16th 2023 - 09:37 UTC
China in US' backyard: Honduras wants to cut links with Taiwan; Panama and Beijing working of free trade accord

China welcomed on Wednesday the latest remarks by Honduran President Xiomara Castro, who said her country is seeking to establish diplomatic relations with China. In response to this, Wang Wenbin, spokesperson of the Chinese Foreign Ministry, said at a press conference on Wednesday that 181 countries around the world have established diplomatic relations with China on the basis of the one-China principle, which fully proved that establishing diplomatic relations with China is a correct general historical and political trend.
Thursday, March 16th 2023 - 07:40 UTC
Uruguayan President not optimistic about Mercosur-EU deal

Uruguayan President Luis Lacalle Pou Wednesday said he was not very optimistic about the future of the trade deal between Mercosur and the European Union and that his lack of hope stemmed from both ends of the Atlantic, not just Brussels.
Thursday, March 16th 2023 - 07:35 UTC
Chancellor Hunt, “British ale may be warm, but the duty on a pint is frozen”

The price of a packet of cigarettes rose hours after the UK Budget was delivered in Parliament, while drinkers will see tax on alcohol go up by 10.1% in August, in line with inflation. According to London media, the only alcohol not to see a rise was draught beer where duty will be frozen. Chancellor Jeremy Hunt said this was to help “the great British pub”.
Thursday, March 16th 2023 - 07:22 UTC
Next SNP leadership predicts an independent Scotland in five years time

All three Scottish National Party leadership candidates have predicted that Scotland can be an independent country within five years if they win the contest. Ash Regan, Humza Yousaf, and Kate Forbes were speaking as they faced each other in a BBC Scotland TV debate.
Thursday, March 16th 2023 - 07:09 UTC
Peru: Supreme Court agrees to review if Castillo's right to defense was violated

Peru's Supreme Court Wednesday overruled a lower Court's decision and will agree to review former President Pedro Castillo's claims that he was denied a right to defense during his Dec. 7 impeachment by Congress.
Thursday, March 16th 2023 - 07:06 UTC
Neuquén's Judiciary: dog sworn in

A dog summoned to work in the Infantile and Juvenile areas of Neuquén's Judiciary was given the oath of office, it was reported. The animal, named Oreo, was then handed over to the officer on call.
Thursday, March 16th 2023 - 07:02 UTC
Falklands, Chinese jet fighters and the pro Beijing lobby in Argentine Defense and Diplomacy

The Argentine Embassy in China said that Buenos Aires is considering procuring the JF-17 aircraft, with Chinese analysts saying on Wednesday that the fighter jet jointly developed by China and Pakistan is the best choice for Argentina in terms of performance and availability.
Thursday, March 16th 2023 - 06:57 UTC
Week-long power cuts hit 100,000 households in Buenos Aires

Residents of the Autonomous City of Buenos Aires (CABA) took to the streets Wednesday after days without electricity amid sweltering heat with no end in sight to their plight.
Thursday, March 16th 2023 - 06:40 UTC
UK Corporation Tax rate will increase from 19% to 25%; investments deductable

Corporation Tax, paid on UK company profits, will rise next month, chancellor Jeremy Hunt has confirmed to Parliament. It will go up from 19% to 25% for companies with over £250,000 in profits, Mr. Hunt told the Commons.
Thursday, March 16th 2023 - 06:39 UTC
Bolsonaro has five days to deliver Saudi Arabian jewelry

Former Brazilian President Jair Bolsonaro was given five days by his country's Court of Audit of the Union (TCU) Wednesday to hand over the jewelry received in 2021 from Saudi Arabia.