Economy

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 - 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 - 07:31 UTC
Obama announces 170m dollars emergency support for scorched farms

President Barack Obama announced an emergency purchase of up to 170 million dollars of meat and fish on Monday on a campaign trip to drought-hit Iowa, and accused Republican vice presidential candidate Paul Ryan of blocking disaster aid to farmers.
Monday, August 13th 2012 - 16:14 UTC
Germany prepared to veto aid and exit Greece from the Euro

A senior member of Chancellor Angela Merkel's party issued a stark warning to Greece, saying Germany would not hesitate to veto further aid to the country if there were any signs it was not meeting the conditions of its bailout.
Monday, August 13th 2012 - 05:58 UTC
Argentina again conditions contract to deep-dredge River Plate access canal

Foreign Minister Hector Timerman said that Argentina “is ready to sign” the deep dredging of the River Plane access canal Martin Garcia but warned that before doubts generated by Uruguay’s National Auditing Office regarding the performance of dredgers’ Riovía during the tender process, must be resolved.
Monday, August 13th 2012 - 05:11 UTC
Aid for US farmers stalled in Senate; proposal to reduce bio-fuel mix in gasoline

The US House of Representatives passed a 383 million dollars disaster relief bill that provides political shelter for lawmakers during the worst drought in half a century, but may not release the aid for months to come.
Saturday, August 11th 2012 - 11:45 UTC
Uruguay will continue with Mercosur but is also interested in the Pacific alliance

Uruguay will continue “to look after” Mercosur in spite of the strong diplomatic discrepancies with Argentina, but will also continue with an interest in participating in other trade blocks of the region, said President Jose Mujica.
Saturday, August 11th 2012 - 11:38 UTC
Peru will host leaders’ summit of Arab and South America countries in October

Peru will be hosting next October the III Summit of heads of state and government from South America and Arab nations which is expected to bring together 32 countries, according to Deputy Foreign Affairs minister Jose Beraún.