Stories for 2008

Sunday, June 22nd 2008 - 21:00 UTC
“Return directive” could send 15.000 Uruguayans to jail

According to the latest figures published by the Spanish government there are 86.601 Uruguayans living in that country (44.314 men and 42.287 women) of which 25.761 have Spanish citizen status. However there are another 10 to 15.000 who are undocumented and therefore could be included in the recently approved EU “return directive”.
Sunday, June 22nd 2008 - 21:00 UTC
US dollar drops to July 2002 level in Uruguay markets

For the sixth week running the US dollar has depreciated againts the Uruguayan peso in the local Money market accumulation a loss of 9.98%. In the 26 weeks of 2008, the Uruguayan peso has increased during 19.
Sunday, June 22nd 2008 - 21:00 UTC
Brazil targets joining world milk production short list in 5 years

In five years Brazil could climb from seventh to first position as the world's main milk producer, according to Marcus Ellias head of the trust controlling the former Italian dairy giant Parmalat Brazilian branch.
Sunday, June 22nd 2008 - 21:00 UTC
EU plans hiking aid per fishing vessel to help with fuel cost

The European Parliament (EP) on Thursday proposed increasing fishing sector aid up to EUR 100,000 (from 30.000 EUR) per vessel, instead of per company – as is the case today - in order to alleviate the effect of rising fuel prices.
Sunday, June 22nd 2008 - 21:00 UTC
Distension: President C. Kirchner invites farmers “to talk”

In what seems a first positive approach Argentine president Cristina Fernandez de Kirchner invited farmers' leaders to meet Monday afternoon in Government house (Casa Rosada) to “talk about all issues” related to the 103 day stand-off that began as a simple protest against taxes and became has turned into full blown political crisis.
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
Friday, June 20th 2008 - 21:00 UTC
Gibraltar Minister not returning before “irrelevant” C24

Gibraltar's Chief Minister Peter Caruana 13th appearance before the United Nations General Assembly Special Committee of 24 was his last. In a dramatic turn of events on Wednesday he robustly indicated that it was pointless to keep returning because the Committee of 24 had never acted on Gibraltar's behalf but had always chosen and continued to be silent.