Politics

• Tuesday, March 20th 2012 - 05:02 UTC

  WB backs selective use of capital controls when faced with massive inflows

  

  The World Bank’s new Latin America chief backed selective use of capital controls when inflows were creating asset bubbles or distorting foreign exchange markets. Hasan Tuluy, the Bank’s new vice-president for Latin America and the Caribbean, said while trade protectionism should be avoided, there was space for macro prudential measures.

• Tuesday, March 20th 2012 - 04:51 UTC

  Peru cancels HMS Montrose visit in support of Argentina’s Falklands claim

  

  In a display of “Latin American support for Argentina’s legitimate rights,” the Peruvian government announced on Monday its decision to render void the protocol visit of a British frigate scheduled to dock in a Peruvian port this week.

• Tuesday, March 20th 2012 - 04:46 UTC

  Australian Senate approves law to tax 30% iron ore and coal mining companies

  

  The Australian Senate has pushed through into law a 30% tax on iron ore and coal mining companies. The tax will raise A$10.6bn (11.2bn dollars) over three years from major companies including BHP Billiton, Rio Tinto and Xtrata.

• Tuesday, March 20th 2012 - 01:24 UTC

  Rousseff administration will promote “buy Brazilian” policy to defend industry

  

  “As of this year Brazil will follow the US example giving a 25% margin of preference to local goods in government procurement”, said Fernando Pimentel, Minister for Development, Industry and Foreign Trade.

• Tuesday, March 20th 2012 - 01:16 UTC

  Argentine truckers call for indefinite strike as soy bean crop was taking off

  

  Argentina’s truckers called Monday an indefinite strike to demand higher pay rates, parking their rigs in protest just as exporters were counting on them to haul freshly harvested soybeans to port.

• Tuesday, March 20th 2012 - 00:24 UTC

  Colombia tells Bolivia it deserves to have access to the Pacific Ocean

  

  Colombia has consistently supported Bolivia in its mission to reclaim a passage to the Pacific Ocean and the country reiterated its support last week during a meeting between the two heads of state in Bogotá.

• Monday, March 19th 2012 - 23:28 UTC

  China and IADB agree on one billion investment fund; warnings from Brazil

  

  China and the Inter-American Development Bank said on Monday they are starting a 1-billion US dollars fund to invest in Latin America, though the Asian giant’s latest push to expand its influence in the region prompted words of caution from Brazil.

• Monday, March 19th 2012 - 23:23 UTC

  Philip Morris sues Uruguay cigarette-labeling claiming violation of investment treaty

  

  Measures taken by Uruguay to deter smokers have drawn a legal challenge by one of the world’s largest tobacco companies under a treaty designed to protect foreign investors, according to the Centre for Trade and Sustainable Development.

• Monday, March 19th 2012 - 23:02 UTC

  Cuba releases “Ladies in White”; tells them to keep away from Pope’s activities

  

  Cuba released 70 members of the dissident Ladies in White group detained during the weekend but warned them not to attend activities related to next week's visit of Pope Benedict, the group's leader said.

• Monday, March 19th 2012 - 22:56 UTC

  US court confirms graphic health warnings on cigarette packaging

  

  United States federal law requiring large graphic health warnings on cigarette packaging and advertising does not violate the free speech rights of tobacco companies, a federal appeals court ruled on Monday.