Stories for July 2nd 2008

Wednesday, July 2nd 2008 - 21:00 UTC
Mercosur freezes the principle of sliding export taxes

The principle of sliding export taxes, which applied to grains and oilseeds, triggered a 100-day conflict in Argentina between farmers and the administration of President Cristina Fernandez de Kirchner reached the current Mercosur summit in Tucuman and was rejected.
Wednesday, July 2nd 2008 - 21:00 UTC
Saudi king: oil price cheap compared to alternative energy

Saudi Arabia King Abdullah said on Tuesday that the current oil price was cheap compared to prices of alternative energy products available in the world and called upon people in consuming countries to adapt with rising oil prices.
Wednesday, July 2nd 2008 - 21:00 UTC
World in grip of third “oil shock” and no easy way out

Oil supplies will remain tight despite record prices that have reduced demand and the world is in the grip of its third “oil shock”, according to the International Energy Agency report released this Tuesday in Madrid.
Wednesday, July 2nd 2008 - 21:00 UTC
Mercosur summit calls EU migratory policy “xenophobic”

South American leaders meeting at the Mercosur summit called the new European Union immigration policies that permit the detention of undocumented workers for up to 18 months “xenophobic” and said the measure may damage economic ties between the two regions.
Wednesday, July 2nd 2008 - 21:00 UTC
“Return directive” freezes EU/Andean countries discussions

The European Commission has suspended the coming round of negotiations with the Andean community of Nations because of a lack of consensus in the Andean group as to the trade side of an association agreement under consideration since 2006.
Wednesday, July 2nd 2008 - 21:00 UTC
Air Commodore Gordon Moulds returns as CBFSAI

AIR Commodore Gordon Moulds MBE, comes to the job of Commander British Forces, South Atlantic Islands (CBF), a confirmed Falklands enthusiast, who counts many Islanders among his friends.
Wednesday, July 2nd 2008 - 21:00 UTC
June inflation in Uruguay, 1.28% and 5.44% in six months

The June Consumer Prices Index in Uruguay soared 1.28% over May, totalling 5.44% inflation in the first half of the year according to the official release from the National Statistics Institute, INE.
Wednesday, July 2nd 2008 - 21:00 UTC
FAO warns about impact of increasing land degradation

Land degradation is on the rise in many parts of the world, with direct consequences for an estimated 1.5 billion people – or a quarter of the world's population – the United Nations Food and Agriculture Organization, FAO said on Wednesday, calling for renewed attention to tackle the issue.
Wednesday, July 2nd 2008 - 21:00 UTC
Peruvian president tells Bolivia's Morales “to shut up”

Peruvian President Alan Garcia said on Tuesday that he was sick and tired of Bolivian President Evo Morales criticizing Peru's trade pact with the United States, spreading false rumors about American military bases and urging Peruvians to protest in the street.
Wednesday, July 2nd 2008 - 21:00 UTC
Typhoon becomes RAF most advanced multi-role aircraft

The Royal Air Force's Typhoon aircraft marked another milestone in its capability this week when it was declared operational in the air-to-ground role, becoming the Service's most advanced multi-role aircraft. The multi-role capability means that RAF Typhoons can now carry out precision Ground Attack as well as Air Defence tasks