Stories for May 3rd 2011

Tuesday, May 3rd 2011 - 16:55 UTC
EU farm lobbies increase campaign against trade agreement with Mercosur

European Union beef prices would be cut by more than 8% and meat production across the EU would fall in value by more than €3bn if a trade deal were agreed with Mercosur, according to preliminary assessments from an agriculture advisory body to the European Commission.
Tuesday, May 3rd 2011 - 08:22 UTC
Uruguay: overturning amnesty law could cost ruling coalition ‘dearly’

Uruguayan Vice-president Danilo Astori acknowledged that overturning the “Expired Crimes” or amnesty bill for human rights violators during the military dictatorship (1973/1985) could cost the ruling coalition ‘dearly’ and said he voted following ‘party discipline’.
Tuesday, May 3rd 2011 - 08:20 UTC
Argentina supports bill requiring companies to distribute 10% of profits to workers

A day before Tuesday’s round of talks between Argentina’s organized labour (CGT) and the Industrial Union (UIA) to consider the possibility of a ‘social pact’ to help contain prices (inflation), the government expressed support for a law sponsored by unions that requires companies to distribute 10% of profits to workers.
Tuesday, May 3rd 2011 - 08:09 UTC
Food prices threaten Latam countries; urban poor need protection, says IDB

Rising international food prices could trigger an acceleration of inflation in several countries in Latin America and the Caribbean this year, highlighting the need for policies to protect the urban poor, according to a new study from the Inter American Development Ban (IDB).
Tuesday, May 3rd 2011 - 05:20 UTC
FAO estimates 2011 rice world production up 3%; Latam to rebound 9.2%

Rice production is expected to rise to 480 million tons in 2011, which is 3% higher than a year earlier, due to improved weather conditions, the United Nations Food and Agriculture Organisation said on Monday.
Tuesday, May 3rd 2011 - 05:16 UTC
Brazil’s trade surplus in April soars pushed by commodities prices

The trade surplus rose to 1.86 billion USD last month from 1.55 billion in March, the ministry said. The figure compares with a 1.28 billion surplus in April last year. In the first four months of 2011 Brazil’s trade surplus totalled 5.03 billion USD which is up 132% over the same period a year ago.
Tuesday, May 3rd 2011 - 05:05 UTC
Argentine economy forecasted to grow 6.5% according to Central bank

The Argentine economy is poised to expand by 6.5% or more this year, and unemployment may hover at the lowest level in two decades, the central bank said.
Tuesday, May 3rd 2011 - 04:59 UTC
New German central bank chief promises continued “stability culture”

Germany’s Bundesbank new hawkish president Jens Weidmann said private investors should help cover costs of the Euro zone crisis. Mr Weidmann promised a continued “stability culture” at the German central bank after taking over from outgoing president Axel Weber.
Tuesday, May 3rd 2011 - 01:57 UTC
Brazilian president rests in Brasilia recovering from mild case of pneumonia

Brazilian president Dilma Rousseff, 63, returned Monday to Brasilia after spending the weekend in a hospital in Sao Paulo suffering from strong flu and a mild case of pneumonia, according to the presidential office.
Tuesday, May 3rd 2011 - 01:52 UTC
Vatican says killing of Bin Laden calls for reflection before God and not rejoicing

The Vatican said the killing of Al-Qaeda leader Osama Bin Laden, a man who sowed division and hatred and who caused “innumerable” deaths, should prompt serious reflection about one's responsibility before God, not rejoicing.