Shanghai government responsible for deadly stampede: China tourism body

China's National Tourism Administrator said Shanghai authorities had failed to take precautions to prevent the deadly stampede that killed more than three dozen people on New Year's Eve.

SHANGHAI: China's National Tourism Administrator says the Shanghai government is responsible for the deadly stampede that killed more than three dozen people on New Year's Eve.

In a document published on its website, the agency said the city's authorities had failed in taking precautions to prevent the incident from happening.

The comments come nearly a week after the tragedy took place and authorities have so far provided little explanation for what happened at Shanghai's iconic riverfront.

Authorities said they understood from family members that they had wanted to go to the stampede site to mourn the dead.

Hence, additional barricades were put up and the entire area cordoned off to maintain order and prevent overcrowding - the very same measures that should have been in place that fateful night to prevent the tragedy from happening.

Earlier, emotions ran high as anguished parents went to the incident site to grieve their children on the traditional Chinese seventh day of mourning. Most of the dead were students in their twenties.

"In terms of public safety, Shanghai is known to be better than other cities. It's really unexpected that something like this has happened," said a member of the public.

China's National Tourism Administration said the Shanghai government is responsible for the public's safety even though no event was planned for that night.

Earlier on, officials had said they did not bring in extra reinforcements that night because there was no countdown celebration on the riverfront.

Quoting the law in a document published online, the tourism administration said that when incidents of such nature occur, the government is obliged to be prepared, vigilant and responsive.

Authorities in Shanghai have yet to respond and have also not provided further details on their investigation into the incident.

Meantime, there was controlled grieving on-site as police blocked off public access to where the mishap allegedly took place. Mourners, who are next-of-kin of the victims, are heavily escorted away from the public's eye.

When asked, officials said it is unclear how long the cordons will stay, providing little comfort to families who lost their loved ones on New Year's Eve.

Source: http://www.channelnewsasia.com/

Prices up in gov't food network to prevent smuggling

Venezuelan Minister of Food Félix Osorio thinks that keeping prices without any variation is "vulgar"

ANGIE CONTRERAS C. |  EL UNIVERSAL

Thursday March 20, 2014  09:52 AM

Prices of the foodstuffs sold through Mercal, a network of food vendors under the aegis of the Venezuelan government, have risen "step by step" in the last year, with no formal announcement from the Executive Office.

As alleged by Food Minister Félix Osorio, rising prices has been a measure to curb outgoing smuggling of subsidized commodities.

The last "formal" hike of prices in the foodstuffs traded through Mercal network occurred in 2009.

In the minister opinion, keeping prices without any variation is "vulgar."

Osorio downplayed the claims of production problems in Venezuela and attributed imports to a larger demand.

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Venezuela's Sicad 2 insufficient to meet public sector demand

JP Morgan does not rule out an adjustment in the forex rate of the National Center for Foreign Trade from VEB 6.30 to VEB 8.40 per US dollar

MAYELA ARMAS H. |  EL UNIVERSAL

Thursday March 20, 2014  10:02 AM

The Venezuelan Government started the New Year with a deficit in its fiscal accounts, which has led to a revision to the foreign exchange policy, including the incorporation of the Second Ancillary Foreign Currency System (Sicad 2), whose forex rate is set to fluctuate. Nonetheless, the effects of the new architecture would not satisfy demand if authorities fail to cut down on public spending.

Although authorities have not explained how much foreign currency supply would rise with the new supplementary mechanism, income would not be enough to meet the needs of public institutions.

The director of research economic firm Ecoanalítica, Asdrúbal Oliveros, has outlined that "although income deriving from Sicad 2 operations could be useful, a policy aimed at reducing public expenditure and a reform of the country monetary policy are needed."

In his view, Oliveros asserts that the impact of devaluation on the supplementary forex system is subject to other actions. Unless measures are adopted, the system would fail.

Meanwhile, JP Morgan deems Sicad 2 could gradually flow. The firm estimates oil giant Pdvsa would allocate USD 5-10 billion out of its oil revenues. Moreover, JP Morgan projects bonds stock held by public institutions would account for USD 5.8 billion.

In a report the firm also expresses the need for further policies. In this context, it does not rule out an adjustment in the forex rate of the National Center for Foreign Trade, from VEB 6.30 to VEB 8.40 per US dollar.

Venezuelan association rules out suspension of flights by other airlines

Deputy reaffirms Venezuelan Government's will to advance in foreign currency matters

EL UNIVERSAL

Thursday March 20, 2014  11:36 AM

In an interview with radio station Unión Radio, the executive president of the Venezuelan Association of Airlines (ALAV), Humberto Figuera, ruled out that the suspension of Air Canada flights from and to Venezuela could lead to further suspensions by other airlines operating in the country.

Meanwhile, referring to the debt to international airlines, Congressman Claudio Farías (ruling PSUV) said during a session of the Venezuelan National Assembly that the Executive Office is willing to advance in foreign currency matters.

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Venezuelan gov't exerts arbitrary control over Internet

At least 500 websites have been blocked in the country

DANIEL GONZÁLEZ CAPPA |  EL UNIVERSAL

Thursday March 20, 2014  01:19 PM

Blocks and attacks against Internet in Venezuela have been on the rise. As many as 500 websites are estimated to have been blocked.

Ricardo Holmquist, a representative for the Venezuelan Internet Society (ISOC), believes the number of websites arbitrarily blocked could be higher than 500 and particularly in connection with information about the unofficial forex rate, the health state of late President Hugo Chávez, and critiques against the Government.

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Capriles: The gov't fears depolarization able to unite Venezuelans

The opposition leader seized the opportunity to ask dissenters to "control their feelings" in light of citizens' reactions to the latest events in Venezuela

EL UNIVERSAL

Thursday March 20, 2014  05:38 PM

Venezuelan opposition Governor Henrique Capriles described the Government's latest moves as mere fascism and said mobilization of people is the way to address it.  

Capriles remarked that the Government showed on Wednesday clear signs of its lack of commitment to dialogue or peace. He stressed that authorities are just propelling the right scenarios to continue with the country's current conflict. "What is behind this? It must be something dark. A Government which has been talking about a coup for one month has surely considered a self-coup," said Capriles during the demonstration held in Caracas on Thursday morning.

The opposition leader seized the opportunity to ask dissenters to "control their feelings" in light of citizens' reactions to the latest events in Venezuela. "This is not the time to go nuts! The Government seeks (protests) end in violence. They fear depolarization able to unite Venezuelans".

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European Parliament calls on Venezuelan gov't to disband armed groups

In a resolution adopted with 463 votes in favor, 45 against, and 37 abstentions, the European Parliament urged "the Venezuelan authorities to immediately disarm" and dissolve "the uncontrolled armed groups that have a pro-government character" and to end impunity

The European Union condemned on Thursday the violence emerging in Venezuela since February 12, and expressed its sympathy for the relatives of all the victims.

The European legislators made an appeal on Venezuelan authorities to disarm and break up pro-government armed groups, and to release students and opposition leaders detained during demonstrations taking place in Venezuela for three weeks now.

In a resolution passed by a wide majority, the European Parliament made an appeal on stakeholders in Venezuela to "maintain calm in both actions and words." It also stated that "new protests could lead to more acts of violence that would only further separate the positions of the government and the opposition," DPA informed.

The resolution calls on "the Venezuelan authorities to immediately disarm" and dissolve "the uncontrolled armed groups that have a pro-government character" and to "end impunity."

It reminded "the government of Venezuela that freedom of expression and the right to participate in peaceful demonstrations are fundamental human rights in a democracy as recognized in the Venezuelan Constitution."

The European policymakers also called on Nicolás Maduro's government for the "immediate release" of students and opposition leaders, and to leave aside baseless accusations and arrest warrants against opposition leaders.


Further, they asked for a delegation of the European Parliament to visit Venezuela as soon as possible.

Source: El Universal
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US Government laments politicization of Venezuelan judiciary

The Annual Report 2013 prepared by the US State Department notes "practical limitations on freedom of speech and press" in Venezuela.

"The principal human rights abuses" recorded in Venezuela included "corruption, politicization of the judicial system, and government actions to impede freedom of expression and restrict freedom of the press," reported on Thursday the US State Department.

The Country Report on Human Rights Practices for 2013 prepared by the US State Department notes "practical limitations on freedom of speech and press" in Venezuela as a result "of the combination of laws and regulations governing libel and media content, as well as legal harassment and physical intimidation of individuals and the media."

The report makes special reference to government harassment of "privately owned and opposition-oriented television stations, media outlets, and journalists throughout the year using threats, property seizures, administrative and criminal investigations, and prosecutions."

In presenting the report, US Secretary of State John Kerry promised that his government would continue "supporting those without a voice in Venezuela, where the government has confronted peaceful demonstrators with deployment of forces in the streets and incarceration of students."


Washington's concern is also expressed in the report, as the government of President Nicolás Maduro "did not respect judicial independence or permit judges to act according to the law without fear of retaliation."

Source: El Universal
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Fedecámaras: Gov't seeks to impose a failed economic model

President Nicolás Maduro opened Peace Conference in Venezuela.

Within the framework of the National Peace Conference convened by the Executive Office and held on Wednesday, the president of the Venezuelan Federation of Chambers of Commerce and Industry (Fedecámaras), Jorge Roig, complained to President Nicolás Maduro about the Government "trying to impose a failed economic model around the globe." Reference was made to the Government's socialism and political-economic structure.

Roig added that neither Fedecámaras could replace the Government nor the latter could replace the former.

Referring to ongoing demonstrations against the Government, the president of the federation described them as "legitimate," and claimed that Venezuela was not okay considering the high levels of inflation and shortage. "It is your responsibility to bring calm to the country," Roig remarked.


For his part, the president of private-owned corporation Polar, Lorenzo Mendoza, complained that current policies aim at peace rather than the economy. He asked Maduro for the incorporation of a Truth Commission on economic affairs. Additionally, Mendoza suggested reviewing the figures of the Central Bank of Venezuela.

Source: El Universal
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Venezuelan FM seeks support from Paraguay and Argentina

The Venezuelan official went from Bolivia to Paraguay; his meetings are part of the visits to Member States of the Common Market of the South (Mercosur) to inform about the situation of Venezuela and thank these countries for their support for President Nicolás Maduro

Venezuelan Foreign Minister Elías Jaua departed on Thursday for Buenos Aires, Argentina, after his meeting with Paraguayan President Eladio Loizaga in Asunción. Jaua's visits aim at calling for support for any debate on the Venezuelan crisis is held within the framework of the Union of South American Nations (Unasur) rather than the Organization of American States (OAS).

The Venezuelan foreign minister informed Loizaga about the situation of Venezuela over the last few weeks, "the origin of the politically-based demonstrations, and the actions taken by violent groups," EFE reported.

The visit to Paraguay took place after a previous meeting in Bolivia. The meeting is part of a series of visits intended to inform about the situation of Venezuela and thank countries for their support for Nicolás Maduro's Government.

After talks with Loizaga, Jaua traveled to Argentina and Uruguay. He will then travel to Brazil.

He will close his tour in Suriname and Guyana.

Source: El Universal
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