Stories for May 17th 2010

Monday, May 17th 2010 - 05:26 UTC
EU farmers led by France promise to lobby against concessions for Mercosur

European Union Agriculture ministers will be debating Monday on the impact of Mercosur/EU trade negotiations and the overall EU farm sector competitiveness.
Monday, May 17th 2010 - 05:22 UTC
EU and Mexico reaffirm and consolidate “strategic association”

The European Union and Mexico decided Sunday at their fifth bilateral summit, held in the Spanish town of Comillas, to take measures to give concrete content to their relationship, which they have jointly designated to be one of “strategic association”.
Monday, May 17th 2010 - 05:20 UTC
Uruguay among the most positive minded countries of the region

Uruguay has turned into one of the most optimistic country of the region according to the 2009 Governance Barometer which assesses perceptions and prospects of the population in 21 countries of Latinamerica and the Ibero-America (Spain and Portugal).
Monday, May 17th 2010 - 05:17 UTC
Brazil and Argentina promote tourism and trade in Qatar

Both Brazil and Argentina have pitched a strong case for the Arab world to broaden its trade and tourism scope to South America. In a workshop held over the weekend at the Doha Marriott Hotel, trade and tourism representatives from the two countries urged Qataris to seek trade and leisure opportunities following the announcement that Qatar Airways will be flying to both Sao Paulo and Buenos Aires from June 24.
Monday, May 17th 2010 - 05:11 UTC
Chavez trying to prevent speculation with US dollars

Venezuelan President Hugo Chavez signed Sunday a currency law passed by the National Assembly this week that seeks to stem a decline in the local currency Bolívar, according to a broadcast on state television.
Monday, May 17th 2010 - 05:01 UTC
Australia celebrates 16 year old Jessica’s round the world sailing feat

Australians gathered Saturday around Sydney harbour to welcome back teenager Jessica Watson from her record round-the-world sailing adventure. The 16-year-old is said to be the youngest person to sail non-stop, solo and unassisted around the world.
Monday, May 17th 2010 - 04:59 UTC
Strong interest for Peru’s bidding process for 25 oil blocks

Peru resumed the bidding process for more than two-dozen oil blocks, almost two years after a bribery scandal related to contracts awarded to a Norwegian company. The president of state-owned Perupetro, Daniel Saba, said that 25 new blocks will be put up for international public bidding.
Monday, May 17th 2010 - 04:55 UTC
State of emergency on anniversary of Peruvian Shinning Path terrorist group

The administration of Peruvian president Alan Garcia declared a state of emergency for 60 days in the regions of Huánuco, Ucayali and San Martín, reportedly the areas that have the most drugs and terrorist related activities.
Monday, May 17th 2010 - 04:36 UTC
Fire destroys the world’s major collection of tropical serpents

A fire destroyed on Saturday 82,000 snake specimens, considered the largest collection of tropical serpents in the world, as well as thousands of other reptiles, spiders and scorpions at Brazil’s prestigious Butantan Institute laboratory in Sao Paulo.
Monday, May 17th 2010 - 04:32 UTC
Spain determined to the re-launching of EU/Mercosur talks at the Madrid summit

The challenge of re-launching European Union/Mercosur trade talks, figures pre-eminently in the agenda of the EU/Latam-Caribbean leaders’ summit scheduled to begin Monday in Spain that also happens to hold the EU rotating presidential chair.