Stories for August 2012

Wednesday, August 15th 2012 - 08:46 UTC
Brazilian state plans cattle traceability system with ear-tags and chips

The Government of the Brazilian state of Rio Grande do Sul is planning to invest about 25 million dollars in restructuring animal health protection in the state and electronically identifying every beast in its 13 million cattle herd, in a project designed to provide a full traceability system.
Wednesday, August 15th 2012 - 00:50 UTC
Euro zone contracts 0.2% in Q2; Germany remains strong but exposed to contagion

The Euro zone debt-ravaged economy shrank in the second quarter (after a dismal first) and despite continued German growth which economists said could soon be snuffed out.
Tuesday, August 14th 2012 - 23:51 UTC
Sunflower seed production down in Europe because of lack of rainfall

Sunflower seed production in the European Union, Ukraine and Russia will drop 11.7% to a total of 24.82 million tons this year, from 28.12 million tons a year ago, Hamburg-based oilseed analyst Oil World said on Tuesday.
Tuesday, August 14th 2012 - 23:38 UTC
Mercosur farmers plan to sow record soybean area; stocks drop to half from a year ago

Mercosur farmers in Brazil and Argentina are forecast to plant more soybeans for harvesting this season in response to higher prices, at the expense of wheat and corn sowing, according to Oil World. Paraguay and Uruguay Agriculture ministries have also anticipated an increase in the soybeans planted areas.
Tuesday, August 14th 2012 - 23:23 UTC
Petrobras says it struck light oil in deep waters offshore Sao Paulo state

Brazil's state-managed energy giant Petrobras confirmed the presence of significant quantities of light oil in deep waters off the country's south-eastern coast. Petrobras said in a statement released late Monday that the high-grade oil was in the Carcara well, located 230 kilometres off the coast of the Sao Paulo state, in the BM-S-8 block.
Tuesday, August 14th 2012 - 22:10 UTC
US, France and Mexico considering G20 emergency meeting to address soaring grain prices

US, France and Mexico are planning talks to consider whether an emergency meeting is needed to tackle the soaring price of grain. The three will hold a conference call at the end of this month after the worst US drought in 50 years threatens to cause a sharp rise in the cost of staple crops.
Tuesday, August 14th 2012 - 22:01 UTC
Standard Chartered CEO in US to discuss money laundering allegations

Standard Chartered chief executive is in New York to negotiate directly with the US regulator that accused it of “scheming” to hide 250bn dollars of transactions with Iran. The regulator will hold a hearing on Wednesday to decide whether to revoke the bank's New York banking licence. It is unclear yet whether Peter Sands will attend the hearing.
Tuesday, August 14th 2012 - 21:28 UTC
Olympic flag flies in Rio do Janeiro; IOC concern about the 2016 timetable

The official flag of the Olympics arrived in Rio de Janeiro, the host city of the next Games. Rio Mayor Eduardo Paes waved the flag after stepping off the plane with other officials and Brazilian athletes who competed in London.
Tuesday, August 14th 2012 - 08:27 UTC
LATAM airlines planning a 359 strong fleet by 2014

Chile's newly merged regional carrier LATAM Airlines said on Monday it would spend 7.87 billion dollars on its fleet through 2014. The airline aims to have a 359-strong fleet by 2014, up from the 319 planes projected for this year.
Tuesday, August 14th 2012 - 08:22 UTC
Brazil investing to be in the top ten medals table for the Rio Games of 2016

The host nation of the next Olympics had a mixed outing in London and is hoping that a surge in spending (700 million dollars) on athletes and facilities will ensure it makes the top 10 medals table in 2016 on home soil in Rio de Janeiro.