Politics

Tuesday, March 18th 2014 - 06:34 UTC
Russia eyes Crimea’s oil and gas reserves

According to Reuters, Crimea may nationalize oil and gas assets within its borders belonging to Ukraine, and sell them off to Russia. Crimea’s Deputy Prime Minister hinted at the possibility that it would take control of Chornomorneftegaz, a Ukrainian state-owned enterprise, and then “privatize” it by selling it to Gazprom.
Tuesday, March 18th 2014 - 02:31 UTC
Official inflation in Argentina during February, 3.4% and 7.1% in two months

Inflation in Argentina during the month of February reached 3.4%, which means that in the first two months of the year the index stands above 7.1%, according to the latest figures released by the country's National Institute of Statistics and Census' (INDEC) Consumer Price Index.
Tuesday, March 18th 2014 - 02:24 UTC
Brazil optimistic that Mercosur has reached a joint proposal for trade talks with the EU

Mercosur will present a joint proposal to the European Union for a wide ranging trade agreement between the two blocks later this month, announced Brazil' Minister of Industry Mauro Borges, following a visit to Buenos Aires where he met with Economy minister Axel Kicillof and Industry minister Debora Giorgi.
Tuesday, March 18th 2014 - 00:13 UTC
Cristina Fernandez holds two-hour private meeting with the Pope and then flies to France

President Cristina Fernández (with a sprained ankle in a boot) and Pope Francis shared on Monday a lunch which lasted two hours and a half at Santa Marta residence in the Vatican. It's the third time the Argentine head of state and Francis meet since he was elected pontiff one year ago.
Monday, March 17th 2014 - 15:56 UTC
FIFA top committee to address Qatar (Cup 2022) labor working conditions

A new report from the International Trade Union Confederation (ITUC) exposes how far Qatar will go to deny workers their rights, ahead of a critical FIFA Executive Committee meeting on Thursday 20th March in Zurich.
Monday, March 17th 2014 - 15:46 UTC
PM Cameron suggests more devolution in fiscal matters if Scotland votes NO

The Scottish Parliament could gain more power over tax if voters reject independence, said British Prime Minister. A No vote on September 18 is “not the end of line” for devolution, David Cameron told the Scottish Conservative party conference in Edinburgh.
Saturday, March 15th 2014 - 08:25 UTC
Despite inflation Astori argues that cutting government spending is not the solution

It is a mistake to blame government expenditure for the increase of prices, as is the concept that inflation can be defeated by cutting government spending, said Uruguayan Vice-president and economist Danilo Astori, who argued that in many cases these funds are essential to finance public investments and social policies.
Saturday, March 15th 2014 - 08:13 UTC
Uruguay combats inflation with price agreements and reducing taxes on public utilities rates

The Uruguayan government finalized on Friday a prices agreement with commerce and trade organizations to help bring down the third highest inflation of the region which is advancing at an almost two-digit pace. The package is to be completed with government fiscal 'sacrifice' such as the elimination of taxes on some public utilities rates.
Saturday, March 15th 2014 - 08:06 UTC
UN draft resolution states Crimea's Sunday referendum 'has no validity'

A draft UN Security Council resolution declares that Sunday's planned referendum on Crimea's status “can have no validity” and urges nations and international organizations not to recognize it, according to a copy obtained by Reuters.
Saturday, March 15th 2014 - 08:00 UTC
Queen Michelle Bachelet is back, but that was the easy bit, says The Economist

Michelle Bachelet became the first person since General Carlos Ibañez in 1952 to return to Chile’s presidential palace, La Moneda, for a second term. According to a recent official history of the building, the general was a stickler for fitness.