International

• Tuesday, February 28th 2012 - 04:16 UTC

  Switzerland asks banking system s to prevent un-taxed assets in their accounts

  

  Switzerland has asked its banks to tighten due diligence process to prevent un-taxed assets in their accounts without violating client confidentiality. The measures come on the back of growing international pressure on Swiss authorities to act against any possible hoarding of illicit and untaxed money in Switzerland-based banks.

• Tuesday, February 28th 2012 - 01:58 UTC

  Mercosur/Gulf states closer to trade agreement but leaving petrochemicals for later

  

  Brazil is eager to finalize a free trade agreement between the GCC (Gulf Cooperation Council) and the Mercosur bloc but believes the petrochemicals sector will be exempted until further study after the signing, said Brazilian Trade and Industry Minister Fernando Pimentel.

• Tuesday, February 28th 2012 - 00:27 UTC

  EC report on trade and investments criticizes Mercosur protectionism

  

  The European Commission in its latest report on trade and investments complains about Mercosur protectionist policies, restrictions to maritime transport and to the export of commodities particularly from Brazil and Argentina.

• Tuesday, February 28th 2012 - 00:23 UTC

  Emerging economies decided to challenge US predominance in the World Bank

  

  Emerging economies said on Sunday that they will challenge a tradition that has placed an American at the head of the World Bank for decades, as the President Obama administration shows sensitivity to the need for change at global institutions.

• Monday, February 27th 2012 - 20:05 UTC

  Spain refuses to share recovered undersea booty with former American colonies

  

  Spain rejected Peru's claim to a huge multimillion-dollar undersea treasure recovered from the wreckage of a galleon that had left from Montevideo port more than 200 years ago loaded with precious metals originally from the Peruvian highlands.

• Monday, February 27th 2012 - 17:39 UTC

  China at turning point: current model is unsustainable says the World Bank

  

  The World Bank has warned China’s government that it must relax its grip on industry and move towards a free-market economy.

• Monday, February 27th 2012 - 17:35 UTC

  Gibraltar and La Linea address common issues that “concern the real people”

  

  Gibraltar Chief Minister Fabian Picardo received at Convent Palace neighbouring La Linea Mayor Gemma Araujo to review issues of mutual interest and concern, during a meeting followed by a press conference which was described as very positive.

• Monday, February 27th 2012 - 17:29 UTC

  Costa Allegra out of power adrift 200 miles from the Seychelles Islands

  

  An Italian cruise ship with more than 1,000 people on board is without power in the Indian Ocean following a fire. The Costa Allegra is adrift more than 200 miles southwest of the Seychelles, near Alphonse Island.

• Monday, February 27th 2012 - 16:41 UTC

  Port of Ushuaia refuses entry of cruise vessels that visited the Falkland Islands

  

  Argentina has banned two cruise ships from calling at Ushuaia in Tierra del Fuego after they visited the Falkland Islands, apparently based on recent provincial legislation, according to reports in the Ushuaia media.

• Monday, February 27th 2012 - 12:12 UTC

  Meryl Streep takes third Oscar portraying Lady Thatcher in “The Iron Lady”

  

  Meryl Streep, who holds the record with 17 for the most Academy Award nominations by any actor, won the Oscar for best lead actress on Sunday for her portrayal of former British Prime Minister Margaret Thatcher in “The Iron Lady”, hero of the Falkland Islands.