Stories for July 4th 2007
Falkland Islands rules on refunds for fishing licences
Among a total of thirty-two papers for consideration by the Executive Council (ExCo) of the Falkland Islands Government this month were a number relating to the Islands' fishing industry, according to a release today.
Venezuela/Brazil conflict strains Mercosur project
Mercosur faces its most serious political crisis following the spiraling conflict between Brazil and Venezuelan President Hugo Chavez who publicly announced a three months “ultimatum” for the definitive approval of his country's entry to the main South American trade block.
Basic services aid for Rio's slums to help combat crime
The Brazilian government will spend 1.7 billion dollars to bring running water and other basic services to Rio de Janeiro slums to counter drug gangs that control many of the poor areas, announced President Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva.
Doha round global trade talks heading for “deep freeze”
World Trade Organisation (WTO) chief Pascal Lamy said this week the Doha Round global trade talks risks heading into a “deep freeze” but could be saved if key countries made small concessions.
Brazil to become a “strategic” partner of the European Union
The first ever summit between the European Union and Brazil is taking place in Portugal marking the start of what both sides hope will become a new “strategic” partnership on issues such as energy, climate change and human rights.
“There are rules to belong to Mercosur, but none to leave”
Brazilian president Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva said he was looking forward to talk with his Venezuelan counterpart Hugo Chavez to discuss the latest Mercosur misunderstandings but he also emphasized that there are rules to become a member of the trade group, but none to leave.
Kirchner denies energy cuts and blames “lobby of companies”
Argentine president Nestor Kirchner denied emphatically on Wednesday that his administration was assessing the “rationalization” of electricity supply to homes and insisted that those versions are only looking “to destabilize his government”.
OECD-FAO: prices for farm products forecasted to keep growing
Increased demand for bio-fuels is causing fundamental changes to agricultural markets that could drive up world prices for many farm products, according to a new report published by the Organization for Economic Cooperation and Development, OECD, and the United Nations' Food and Agriculture Organisation.
