Stories for June 5th 2015

Friday, June 5th 2015 - 21:47 UTC
Uruguay sacks ambassador over disagreements on Mercosur/EU trade policy

Uruguayan president Tabare Vazquez removed the country's ambassador before the European Union following comments on Mercosur/EU trade and cooperation negotiations which contradicted recent statements by foreign minister Rodolfo Nin Novoa regarding trade strategy and policy.
Friday, June 5th 2015 - 10:17 UTC
FAO's Food Price Index in May was down 20.7% from a year ago

Major food commodity prices declined again in May, hitting an almost six-year low as cereal prices fell substantially amid a favorable outlook for this year's harvests. The FAO Food Price Index averaged 166.8 points in May, down 1.4% from April and as much as 20.7% from a year earlier.
Friday, June 5th 2015 - 09:51 UTC
Nestle withdraws Maggi noodles from sale in India following 'lead content scare'

Food group Nestle has withdrawn Maggi noodles from sale in India due to “an environment of confusion for consumers”, following a food scare sparked by reports of excess lead in some packets of the popular instant snack.
Friday, June 5th 2015 - 09:23 UTC
The evolution of the oil weapon

In the age of derivatives, swaps, and electronic money transfers, a new form of warfare has emerged: financial warfare. Recently, the US has passed sanctions on countries such as Syria, Venezuela and North Korea, but the majority of energy related sanctions passed have been targeted at Iran and Russia.
Friday, June 5th 2015 - 06:33 UTC
Falklands: Cristina Fernandez met Snowden in Moscow to talk about UK spying on Argentina, reveals BAH

President Cristina Fernandez met with former US National Security Agency (NSA) contractor Edward Snowden when she visited Moscow in April, according to the Buenos Aires Herald. Snowden became world famous when in 2013 when he revealed the extent of Washington’s global Internet and phone surveillance.
Friday, June 5th 2015 - 06:27 UTC
Colombia and FARC agree to name a “Clarification of the Truth Committee”

The Colombian government and FARC guerrillas said they plan to form a truth commission to investigate atrocities committed during the country's five-decade civil war. The agreement was announced on Thursday and will consist of an “independent and impartial” body as soon as a final peace deal is reached.
Friday, June 5th 2015 - 06:22 UTC
IMF calls on the Fed to keep rates on hold until first half of 2016

The International Monetary Fund urged the Federal Reserve to wait until the first half of 2016 to start raising short-term interest rates because the US economy remains subpar. In its annual checkup of the US economy released Thursday, the IMF said “the underpinnings for continued growth and job creation remain in place.”
Friday, June 5th 2015 - 06:12 UTC
Flibanserin or “Viagra for women” closer to FDA approval: concern about side effects

A tiny pink pill touted as “Viagra for women” got a reluctant nod from the United States Food and Drug Administration panel, bringing the first medical treatment for female sexual dysfunction one step nearer to coming on the market.
Friday, June 5th 2015 - 04:27 UTC
Henry's handball blessed Ireland with US$ 5m and France a place in South Africa 2010

The latest revelations of allegations of irregular payments by FIFA have brought Ireland, South Africa and Venezuela under the spotlight. In effect a FIFA official has admitted Ireland received 5 million dollars in compensation for missing out on a place at the 2010 World Cup after a handball by player Thierry Henry gave France victory and a place in South Africa.
Friday, June 5th 2015 - 03:28 UTC
FAO conference to recognize efforts in lowering hunger and elect Director General

Some 130 ministers, 12 heads of state or government, including presidents from Argentina and Chile, Cristina Fernandez and Michelle Bachelet, plus numerous other high-level government representatives will be converging on Rome this week for the 39th session of FAO (Food and Agriculture Organization) governing Conference (6-13 June).