Environment

Making Sense of Global Chaos

Trying to divine how geopolitical gyrations will impact financial markets and economies is a challenging task. That's why business is booming for Richard Medley, head of Washington, D.C.-based research boutique Medley Global Advisers.

New Farm Powers Sow the Seeds Of America's Agricultural Woes

On a vast, windy plain, a farmer swells with optimism as he surveys a carpet of wheat stretching toward the horizon. Bankers are throwing money at him to reap bigger harvests. Grain traders are elbowing their way to his front door, eager to export his wheat. Last year, he marvels, "they sold it to the Arab Emirates."

BSE Testing Debate Continues (Canada)

North American meat companies have been told at this week's World Meat Congress in Canada that checking all cattle for mad cow disease would push up costs without improving food safety.

Better Deal Pledged For Poorer Countries To End Trade Deadlock

Leaders of the G8 industrial countries last night sought to end nine months of deadlock in global trade talks when they pledged a better deal for poor countries in an attempt to put negotiations back on track.

Gm Planning To Double Car Production

Leading global automaker General Motors (GM) yesterday unveiled plans to more than double its production capacity in China over the next three years. GM said it will invest more than US $ 3 billion in its China-based joint ventures, with the cash mainly coming from profits generated by these ventures, lifting its total investment in China to US $ 5 billion.

Fruit Production Could Assume European Norms

The National Metrology Institute (Inmetro) wants to make its seal of Integrated Fruit Production (PIF) adequate to the demands of Europe Gap, a voluntary quality certification adopted by European supermarkets. The Brazilian proposal, which foresees the equalization of the analyses systems, should be sent to the evaluating committee by October.

Methanex Says California Additive Ban Illegal Under Nafta Rules

Methanex Corp., the world's largest supplier of methanol, argued to a trade tribunal that it deserves $970 million from the U.S. in compensation for a 1999 California ban of the gasoline additive it makes.

Thia PM Due in Brazil for UNCTAD Meeting

Prime Minister Thaksin Shinawatra will travel to Brazil late this week on an official visit and also attend the 11th UN Conference on Trade and Development (Unctad).

Free Trade 'Won't Boost Rice Exports"

Bilateral free trade will not necessarily lead to an increase in rice-trade volume, the chairman of a committee looking into free-trade agreements told a seminar yesterday.

Wal-Mart's U.S. Expansion Has Benefited From More Than $1 Billion In Economic Development Subsidies

Washington, DC, May 24, 2004--Wal-Mart Stores Inc., the world's largest retailer, has benefited from more than $1 billion in economic development subsidies from state and local governments across the United States, according to a new study by Good Jobs First, a Washington, DC-based research group (the study, SHOPPING FOR SUBSIDIES, is available online at