Stories for July 2012

Thursday, July 26th 2012 - 19:42 UTC
FAO and OIE call on countries to comply with destruction of “rinderpest” virus samples

The UN's food agency FAO and the OIE (Animal health organization) called on countries on to comply with a 2011 global moratorium and destroy potentially dangerous “rinderpest” virus samples or put them into safe storage.
Thursday, July 26th 2012 - 18:52 UTC
Brazil discusses with Chavez arrangements for Venezuela’s Mercosur incorporation

Venezuelan President met on Wednesday with a committee from the Brazilian government to discuss mechanisms to speed the full integration of the country to the regional block. Brazil currently holds the Mercosur rotating chair.
Thursday, July 26th 2012 - 18:38 UTC
Sea Shepherd leader Watson skips bail fearing extradition to Japan

Sea Shepherd leader Paul Watson has skipped bail and fled from Germany, with his supporters claiming they fear he would have been extradited to Japan over Antarctic whaling protests.
Thursday, July 26th 2012 - 09:19 UTC
Argentine organized labour divided but fearful of Cristina Fernandez intentions

Argentine union leaders said that the conflict inside the CGT umbrella organization is “purely political” and claimed that President Cristina Fernandez is after a “divided and passive” organized labour movement.
Thursday, July 26th 2012 - 09:10 UTC
Mercosur farmers support Paraguay and call for harmonic relations in the group

The suspension of Paraguay and the intent to incorporate Venezuela to Mercosur represent a threat to the regional integration process, said the Mercosur Federation of Rural Associations, Farm, currently meeting in Santiago de Chile.
Thursday, July 26th 2012 - 09:07 UTC
Immigration compensated for fewer babies, helped Germany increase population

The number of babies born in Germany sank to a record low in 2011, official statistics showed Monday, but a surge in immigration to Europe's top economy led its population to grow.
Thursday, July 26th 2012 - 09:00 UTC
EC criticizes US risk rating agencies handling of the Euro-zone crisis

A top official from the European Commission was particularly critical of the credit risk rating agencies in their handling of the Euro crisis and Germany brushed aside the latest rating agencies announcement saying the country is in a very sound economic and financial situation.
Thursday, July 26th 2012 - 08:52 UTC
Blackout in Buenos Aires plazas and public spaces until it pays the power bill

The fountains in Argentina’s capital Buenos Aires emblematic Plaza de Mayo were left unlit Tuesday and Wednesday night, after electricity company Edesur cut off power due to the city’s government's failure to pay the bill.
Thursday, July 26th 2012 - 08:50 UTC
Evita Peron 100 Pesos bill to commemorate 60th anniversary of her death

Argentine President Cristina Fernández unveiled a new 100 Pesos note featuring Eva Perón’s portrait to commemorate the 60th anniversary of her death in 1952. The Wednesday ceremony at Government House convened political allies and representatives from the banking and financial sectors.
Thursday, July 26th 2012 - 06:53 UTC
Argentina freezes all activities in shared channel which is crucial for Uruguayan export trade

Argentina decided to suspend all activities related to the River Plate Martin Garcia access channel until the Uruguayan government is “fully satisfied” about the alleged “procedural irregularities” pointed out by Uruguay’s government audit tribunal.