International

• Friday, February 28th 2014 - 02:36 UTC

  Fed asks US Congress to look into legal option for regulating virtual currencies such as bitcoin

  

  The US Congress should look into legal options for regulating virtual currencies such as bitcoin, said Federal Reserve Chair Janet Yelleny. Japan-based bitcoin exchange Mt. Gox went dark leaving customers unable to access their accounts. Experts have warned they might not have much recourse to recover their money.

• Thursday, February 27th 2014 - 21:19 UTC

  British cruisers name favorite cruise ships in 2014

  

  Cruise Critic has released its 2014 Cruise Critic U.K. Cruisers' Choice Awards, the cruise awards based entirely on reviews submitted by cruisers. Royal Caribbean rode the waves in the awards for the Large Ship class, with Serenade of the Seas, the third ship in the Radiance-class fleet, named Best Overall ship, Best Value-for-Money and Best Dining. Royal Caribbean's Adventure of the Seas took Best for Embarkation.

• Thursday, February 27th 2014 - 04:47 UTC

  Inter-American Development bank holds its annual meeting in Bahía

  

  The Inter-American Development Bank (IDB) will hold its 2014 Annual Meeting in Bahía, Brazil, March 27-30, bringing top economic and business leaders to discuss how the private sector can help boost economic and social development in Latin America and the Caribbean.

• Thursday, February 27th 2014 - 03:21 UTC

  Russia with plans for military bases in Nicaragua, Cuba and Venezuela

  

  Russia is planning to expand its permanent military presence outside its borders by placing military bases or seeking permission for navy ships to use ports in a number of foreign countries, Defense Minister Sergei Shoigu said on Wednesday. The list includes Vietnam, Cuba, Venezuela, Nicaragua, the Seychelles, Singapore and several other countries

• Thursday, February 27th 2014 - 03:19 UTC

  Booming world fish trade generating more wealth than ever, says FAO report

  

  The booming world fish trade is generating more wealth than ever before, but countries must help small-scale fishers and fish farmers benefit too, says FAO.

• Thursday, February 27th 2014 - 00:31 UTC

  IMF lets fresh air in and addresses income inequality and redistribution debate

  

  Income inequality can lead to slower or less sustainable economic growth, while redistribution of income, when measured, does not hurt and can even help an economy, IMF staff found in a research study released on Wednesday. Although the study by IMF economists does not reflect the Fund's official position, it is another sign of a shift in its thinking about income disparity.

• Wednesday, February 26th 2014 - 23:13 UTC

  OAS Permanente Council special meeting on Venezuelan situation suspended

  

  The meeting of the Organization of American States (OAS), Permanent Council convened to evaluate the possibility of holding a meeting of ambassadors to address the current political situation in Venezuela, has been postponed after pressure from the Venezuelan Government, said Carlos Ponce, coordinator for the Latin American and Caribbean Network for Democracy (Redlad).

• Wednesday, February 26th 2014 - 23:04 UTC

  Falklands/Malvinas: Argentina has “no conflict hypothesis” says Defense head

  

  Minister of Defense Agustín Rossi said Argentina has no “conflict hypothesis” regarding the Falklands/Malvinas Islands, strongly denying statements from a British newspaper which argued the UK was closely monitoring Argentina's investment in military procurement.

• Wednesday, February 26th 2014 - 07:03 UTC

  Britain's oil and gas industry faces 'biggest challenge in 50 years' because of low level of exploration

  

  Britain's oil and gas industry has warned it faces its “biggest challenge in 50 years” due to the low levels of exploration. Industry body Oil and Gas UK said only 15 wells were drilled last year. That was despite strong levels of investment, reaching a record last year and sustained this year.

• Wednesday, February 26th 2014 - 06:58 UTC

  Gibraltar announces discount on passenger dues to attract more cruise vessels

  

  In a bid to attract more cruise ships to Gibraltar, the Minister for the Port, Neil Costa, has announced changes to the Port Rules, which regulate the amount of discount on passenger dues. The amendment allows ‘repositioning’ calls from the Mediterranean to the Caribbean or vice-versa to benefit from a 100% markdown on passenger dues.