Stories for June 2010

Tuesday, June 29th 2010 - 05:38 UTC
Obama to host 18 African nations’ 50th independence celebration

US president Barack Obama whose father was from Kenya will be hosting next August a major event to celebrate the 50 years of independence of eighteen African countries, according to US sources.
Tuesday, June 29th 2010 - 05:30 UTC
Brazil to implement new banking reserve requirements bases on Basel Index

Brazil's government will implement new reserve requirements on credit operations undertaken by the nation's banks, in compliance with the latest changes in the Basel Index, by 2012, the Central Bank of Brazil said in a statement Monday.
Tuesday, June 29th 2010 - 05:25 UTC
Fitch lifts Brazil’s credit rating to investment-grade; further ‘improvement’ needed

Brazil’s credit rating outlook was boosted to positive from stable by Fitch Ratings, which cited the country’s “growth dynamics” and “prudent” policies. Fitch rates Brazil BBB-, the lowest investment-grade rating and in line with rankings from Standard & Poor’s and Moody’s Investors Service.
Tuesday, June 29th 2010 - 05:13 UTC
Punta Arenas planning International Antarctic Centre

Punta Arenas in the extreme south of Chile and seat of the country’s Antarctic Institute will have a new complex that will include the Institute’s offices, research laboratories and a museum dedicated to Chile’s strong and long presence in Antarctica.
Tuesday, June 29th 2010 - 05:09 UTC
Lion’s share of the drugs business goes to final distributors, says UN expert

The lion’s share (85%) of the gross profits from the cocaine business between South America and the United States ends in the wholesale and retail distribution network in the US according to Antonio Luigi Mazzitelli, head of the UN office on Drugs and Crime for Mexico and Central America.
Tuesday, June 29th 2010 - 05:04 UTC
European crisis ‘key risk’ for UK banking sector, warns Bank of England

The European debt crisis is a “key risk” to the UK's banking sector and banks should build up their cash reserves in response, the Bank of England has warned. In its latest financial stability report, the central bank welcomed recent measures taken by the EU to stem the crisis.
Monday, June 28th 2010 - 22:56 UTC
Brazil willing to support Argentina and Uruguay in joint river monitoring

Brazil is willing to help Argentina and Uruguay with the joint monitoring of the River Uruguay which is at the heart of a pulp mill standing dispute between both countries. Argentina and Uruguay Foreign Affairs ministers are scheduled to meet Tuesday in Montevideo to address the issue.
Monday, June 28th 2010 - 22:30 UTC
Hobart to host Antarctic tourism, IAATO conference in 2011

Hobart, Tasmania has won the right to host a prestigious Antarctic tourism conference, again proving its unique status as Australia’s “Antarctic Capital”.
Monday, June 28th 2010 - 22:19 UTC
Greece wants Mercosur/EU talks conditioned to end of Argentine trade barriers

On the eve of the resumption of European Union/Mercosur trade talks, the EU has again complained about Argentina’s ‘protectionist’ measures on some EU agriculture produce and Greece is demanding discussions be conditioned to an end to barriers.
Monday, June 28th 2010 - 22:16 UTC
Reducing meat and milk consumption helps lower greenhouse gas emissions

Reducing the consumption of meat and dairy products and improving agricultural practices could decrease global greenhouse gas emissions substantially. By 2055 the emissions of methane and nitrous oxide from agriculture could be cut by more than eighty percent, researchers of the Potsdam Institute for Climate Impact Research find.