Stories for June 2015

Monday, June 22nd 2015 - 05:17 UTC
IUU fishing: Spain announces €11 million penalties against Galicia syndicate

Spanish government last Friday announced penalties that could reach more than €11 million against Spanish nationals, including companies involved in illegal, unreported and unregulated (IUU) fishing. An EU coalition of three international NGOs, including Environmental Justice Foundation, Oceana and WWF described the fines as a historic moment in the battle against IUU fishing and are calling on other EU member states to follow suit with their own nationals.
Sunday, June 21st 2015 - 14:27 UTC
US gives food manufacturers until 2018 to remove artificial 'trans' fats

Based on a thorough review of the scientific evidence, the U.S. Food and Drug Administration finalized its determination that partially hydrogenated oils (PHOs), the primary dietary source of artificial 'trans' fat in processed foods, are not “generally recognized as safe” or GRAS for use in human food. Food manufacturers will have three years to remove PHOs from products, said FDA.
Saturday, June 20th 2015 - 09:16 UTC
Buenos Aires/Moscow close ties are “a fact, not a wish”, says Argentine minister Kicillof

Argentine Economy Minister Axel Kicillof speaking from Moscow said ties between Buenos Aires and Russia were “a fact, not a wish” praising the bilateral “natural understanding” and “complementation”, achieved by the two partners in economic, energy and trade affairs.
Saturday, June 20th 2015 - 09:06 UTC
Brazil' economic activity further contracts in April as confidence dwindles

Economic activity in Brazil fell sharply in April from March, worse than already negative market estimates and showing still more evidence the once-booming economy is heading toward a recession.
Saturday, June 20th 2015 - 08:59 UTC
US Lower House approves controversial trade bill: Senate next hurdle

The United States House of Representatives approved a controversial trade bill backed by President Obama, just a week after Democrats voted it down. The bill gives the president the right to negotiate global trade deals, with Congress only able to approve or reject a deal but not change it.
Saturday, June 20th 2015 - 08:47 UTC
Earth in new period of extinction: vertebrates, including humans, among first casualties

The Earth has entered a new period of extinction, a study by three US universities has concluded, and humans could be among the first casualties. The report, led by the universities of Stanford, Princeton and Berkeley, said vertebrates were disappearing at a rate 114 times faster than normal.
Saturday, June 20th 2015 - 08:38 UTC
Venezuelan lawmakers blast Brazilian senators' trip as 'abusive and meddling'

Venezuela's ruling Socialist Party legislators reacted to a trip by Brazilian senators to visit jailed opponents of President Nicolas Maduro by describing it as “abusive” and “meddling”. The Brazilian delegation's visit on Thursday was cut short after their minibus was stoned by Maduro supporters and roads were blocked, forcing them to return to the airport and fly back the same day.
Saturday, June 20th 2015 - 08:23 UTC
Brazil's top two construction tycoons arrested in connection to Petrobras case

Brazilian police arrested on Friday Marcelo Odebrecht, the head of Latin America's largest engineering and construction company Odebrecht SA, ensnaring the most high-profile executive to date in the corruption investigation at state-run oil firm Petrobras.
Saturday, June 20th 2015 - 00:37 UTC
Francis calls on swift global action to confront environmental degradation

Argentine Pope Francis called on Thursday for a radical transformation of politics, economics and individual lifestyles to confront environmental degradation and climate change, blending a biting critique of consumerism and irresponsible development with a plea for swift and unified global action.
Saturday, June 20th 2015 - 00:24 UTC
Obama and Democrats support Pope's climate message, but Republicans dissented

The Obama administration and congressional Democrats welcomed Pope Francis' call for sweeping action against climate change Thursday, but the pontiff's message was swiftly dismissed by GOP lawmakers.