Stories for June 21st 2008

Saturday, June 21st 2008 - 21:00 UTC

Oil prices challenge divide EU: new plan next October

European Union leaders have agreed to a 3-month study to find ways of cushioning the impact of soaring energy prices on the region's citizens. At an energy summit in Brussels, ministers discussed plans to ease the pain of record oil and gas prices on consumers and companies.

Saturday, June 21st 2008 - 21:00 UTC

Argentina bans all fishing in S. Atlantic Burwood Bank

Argentina banned all fishing activities to the south of the Falkland/Malvinas Islands and to the east of the Isla de los Estados in an area dominated by the Burwood bank. The ban, “total and permanent” was decided to preserve biodiversity in the area and in the framework of commitments agreed with FAO.

Saturday, June 21st 2008 - 21:00 UTC

Punta Arenas short of staples because of farmers' conflict

Punta Arenas in the extreme south of Chile is suffering a critical shortage of staples mainly sugar, rice and flour as a direct consequence of the Argentine farmers conflict that has been dragging for over 100 days.

Saturday, June 21st 2008 - 21:00 UTC

Mercosur blasts EU immigrants “return directive”

Mercosur and associate members expressed on Friday their strong rejection to the “discriminatory” set of restrictions agreed by the European Union and confirmed by the EU Parliament regarding immigrants in irregular situation