Stories for June 30th 2008
Chile: Whale meet ends with peace agenda
The annual meeting of the International Whaling Commission (IWC) has ended with member governments agreeing to try and resolve their differences.
Bolivia's Evo Morales to nationalize main biggest airports
Bolivia's leftist government is preparing a state takeover of the country's three biggest airports, currently run by a subsidiary of Spain's Abertis, a local newspaper reported last Friday.
Free transit among Mercosur countries without passport
Associate member countries of the Common Market of the South (Mercosur) are to be granted free transit of citizens within the bloc, a right currently limited to full members, the Brazilian Foreign Ministry announced Wednesday.
Argentina: Wheat bears brunt of farmers' anger
The world wants more wheat, but parched soils and anger over government intervention in the market could lead Argentine farmers to sow one of their smallest crops in 15 years.
Falkland Islands Government's 10 Year at the Royal Show
The Falkland Islands Government is exhibiting at the Royal Show this year, marking the tenth occasion of its attendance at the event at Stoneleigh Park, Warwickshire, from 3-6 July.
Bolivia: Opposition gains 7 of 9 provinces in regional vote
An indigenous opposition candidate was elected governor of Bolivia's Chuquisaca province on Sunday, exit polls showed, in the latest blow to the government of leftist President Evo Morales.
Mercosur summit tackles EU immigration law
The 10 leaders of the Mercosur trade bloc meeting in Tucuman, Argentina, Monday and Tuesday are expected to condemn the EU's new immigration rules, discuss plans for regional integration and address the global food crisis.
Falklands issue added to the Argentina Vatican rift agenda
A Falkland Islands ingredient has been added to the strained relations between the administration of Argentine President Cristina Fernandez de Kirchner and the Vatican.
Malvinas war: more abuse claims against Argentine military
Buenos Aires City ombudsman Alicia Pierini and Juan Cabandié head of the Human Rights Commission of the city's elected council have opened a registry for claims of human rights violations committed during the 1982 Malvinas war.
Chile's 24 business conglomerates aim at becoming global
In its June 27 edition Chile business magazine Qué pasa published for the second year in a row a list of the country's 24 most prominent business conglomerates, revealing the Luksic, Falabella and Angelini groups the leading three.
Maintaining the Queen costs 66 pence per person in the UK
The cost of maintaining the Queen rose by £2 million to £40 million last year. The 5.3% rise - twice the rate of inflation - was blamed by palace officials on increased maintenance costs on royal residences and higher travel costs, up £400,000 to £6.4 million.
Chinese agriculture seriously affected by Sichuan earthquake
Last month's earthquake in Sichuan, China, has caused some 6 billion US dollars in damage to the province's agricultural sector, severely affecting over 30 million people in rural communities, the United Nations Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO) said on Monday.
Mercosur: Brazil plans to address food crisis and social affairs
The global food crisis and strengthening the regional social agenda are the two main issues which Brazilian president Lula da Silva will address during the next six months when his country holds the rotating chair of Mercosur.
