Stories for June 2009

Sunday, June 21st 2009 - 11:34 UTC
A billion people hungry in 2009 because of the economic crisis, says FAO

World hunger is projected to reach a historic high in 2009 with 1.020 million people going hungry every day, according to new estimates published by FAO this week.
Sunday, June 21st 2009 - 11:28 UTC
FAO forecasts second-highest record cereals crop for 2009/10

With the second-highest recorded cereals crop expected this year and stocks replenished, the world food supply looks less vulnerable to shocks than it was during last year’s food crisis, FAO said in its Food Outlook report published this month. But some potential dangers remain, it also noted.
Sunday, June 21st 2009 - 11:26 UTC
Uruguayan farmers fearful of consolidation in meat sector

The possible merger between the leading Brazilian meat groups, Marfrig and JBS Bertin could create the largest corporation in the world and among other things dominate over 30% of the Uruguayan cattle demand market.
Sunday, June 21st 2009 - 11:19 UTC
Greenland moves to self-rule and closer to independence

The Arctic island of Greenland is assuming self-rule, in the latest step towards independence from Denmark. The move follows a referendum on greater autonomy in November. It will see Greenland take a greater share of revenues from its natural resources.
Sunday, June 21st 2009 - 11:14 UTC
More than 50 British MPs claimed council taxes they did not pay

British Members of Parliament are facing further embarrassment over their expenses as it emerged more than 50 had claimed for council tax they had not paid. Some have raked in thousands of pounds on “phantom” local authority bills, according to the Daily Telegraph.
Sunday, June 21st 2009 - 11:10 UTC
UN envoy calls for investigation of deadly clashes in Peruvian Amazonia

A United Nations envoy on indigenous rights called for an impartial and internationally supported committee to investigate the deadly clashes between Peruvian police and Amazonian indigenous protesters that killed, officially, at least 33 people but which could be more than 50.
Saturday, June 20th 2009 - 16:52 UTC
PM Gordon Brown: “I could walk away from this tomorrow”

Gordon Brown has admitted that he has been “hurt” by the personal attacks on him during the failed attempt to oust him this month, and said that he might move to teaching after he leaves office.
Saturday, June 20th 2009 - 16:38 UTC
Billionaire Piñera and ex president Frei lead Chilean polls

Chilean billionaire and conservative presidential candidate Sebastian Piñera’s lead narrowed Thursday in the widely respected poll CEP, while underdog Marco Enriquez-Ominami jumped to 13%.
Saturday, June 20th 2009 - 16:36 UTC
Rescuers locate vessel that went down in Patagonia with 22 million in gold

The Chilean trawler converted into an armoured transport “Polar Mist” and which went down in Patagonian waters with a haul of precious metal has finally been pinpointed on the sea bed some forty kilometres off the coast.
Saturday, June 20th 2009 - 16:31 UTC
Argentina’s trade surplus surges 139% in May but imports plunge 49%

Argentina's May trade surplus soared 139% from a year ago to 2.48 billion US dollars because of a sharp drop in imports as the economy slows, the government said on Friday.