Stories for June 2008

Wednesday, June 18th 2008 - 21:00 UTC
Military expenditure in South America, lowest in the world

Military expenditure in the twelve countries of South America, according to 2008 budgets, has reached a record 50 billion US dollars which is 2.5% higher than in 2007.
Wednesday, June 18th 2008 - 21:00 UTC
Amazon soybean planting ban extended until July 09

Grain crushers have extended a two-year-old moratorium on the purchase of soybeans planted in areas of the Amazon rain forest cut down after 2006, Brazil's environment minister Carlos Minc announced this week.
Wednesday, June 18th 2008 - 21:00 UTC
UN approves extension of human rights protection

The top United Nations human rights official has hailed the adoption of a new legal instrument which will enable people to submit complaints on violations of their economic, social and cultural rights to an international human rights body.
Wednesday, June 18th 2008 - 21:00 UTC
Relief in the EU: British Parliament passes Lisbon treaty

British Parliament has effectively ratified the EU Lisbon reform treaty despite the recent decision by Irish voters to reject it. A last-ditch Tory bid to delay the process for four months was defeated by a margin of 93, and peers later gave the EU Amendment Bill a third reading.
Wednesday, June 18th 2008 - 21:00 UTC
Quarter point hike in Euro rate almost certain next July

European Central Bank Executive Board member Juergen Stark said the acceleration in Euro zone inflation to 3.7% in May, the highest rate recorded since the launch of the Euro is a cause for alarm.
Wednesday, June 18th 2008 - 21:00 UTC
EU approves tough rules for expelling illegal immigrants

The European Parliament adopted on Wednesday tough rules on expelling illegal immigrants, which could see them held in custody for up to 18 months and banned for five years if they resist. 367 members of the European Parliament voted in favor of the bill and 206 MEPs opposed it, while 109 members abstained.
Tuesday, June 17th 2008 - 21:00 UTC
Spontaneous rallies surprise Kirchner and acolytes

Thousands of Argentines on Monday evening spontaneously and peacefully took to the streets in cities, towns and villages banging pans to protest against the government and demand the resumption of dialogue with the farmers, on their 97th day of conflict.
Tuesday, June 17th 2008 - 21:00 UTC
Outlook for hake in South Atlantic remains “worrisome”

The situation of common hake (Merluccius hubbsi) is extremely worrying in the South Atlantic as “low recruitment levels in the last three years are having an effect on the brood stock biomass” according to Argentina's Institute for Fisheries Research and Development (INIDEP) Research Director Otto Wohler.
Tuesday, June 17th 2008 - 21:00 UTC
US judge cuts 10 m off 12 m US dollars dog legacy

A judge in New York has agreed to slash 10 million off the 12 million US dollars inheritance given by real estate billionaire Leona Helmsley to her pet dog, Trouble.
Tuesday, June 17th 2008 - 21:00 UTC
Bank of England and Chancellor confirm higher UK inflation

Bank of England Governor Mervyn King has warned that inflation could rise above 4% this year as oil and energy prices soar. In an open letter to the Chancellor after official inflation hit 3.3%, Mr King said he had revised previous forecasts upwards due to a 15% rise in oil prices during the past month and the prospect of higher gas and electricity bills.