US - Positive News 3-3-07

US, EU reach open skies agreement

The US and European Union have reached a tentative
agreement that would give airlines greater freedom
to choose trans-Atlantic routes and potentially
lead to lower fares, the government announced Friday.

Environmental Protection Agency proposes
cuts in diesel exhaust

The US Environmental Protection Agency is proposing
to reduce diesel exhaust from trains and ships, a
move supported by some environmentalists.

Manufacturing report calms markets

A better than expected performance from the US
manufacturing sector in February helped calm
investors on Thursday.

February's reading of 52.3, though the index was well
above the January reading of 49.3 and Wall Street's
expectation of 50. A reading above 50 indicates
growth for the sector.

Number one milk company says 'No' to clones

Milk from cloned cows is not welcome at the nation's
biggest milk company. Dean Foods Company of Dallas,
Texas said Thursday that its customers and consumers
don't want milk from cloned animals.

'Numerous surveys have shown that Americans are not
interested in buying dairy products that contain milk
from cloned cows and Dean Foods is responding to the
needs of our consumers,' the company said in a statement.

Whole Foods to buy Wild Oats for $565 million

Whole Foods Market Inc said Wednesday it will pay $565 million
for Wild Oats Markets Inc, a chain of natural and organic food
markets in the United States and Canada.

Wild Oats has annual sales of about $1.2 billion, and
operates 110 stores in 24 states, and British Columbia,
Canada.

International Positive News Update - 3-3-07

Argentine leader lauds economic recovery

Argentine President Nestor Kirchner spoke
of his government's performance on the
economy and human rights during his
state-of-the-nation address Thursday.

In his main speech of the year, President
Kirchner said that Argentina's economy grew
8.5 per cent in 2006 as it continues its
strong recovery from a 2002 financial collapse.

French government wants food warnings

Less fat, less sugar, less salt: Even the
mostly svelte French are cracking down.
Beginning Thursday, the government ordered
food ads to carry cautions telling the French
to stop snacking, exercise, and eat more fruits
and vegetables.

Other European countries have already taken
measures along the lines of France.

Koreas agree to resume family reunions

North and South Korea, holding their first
high-level talks since Pyongyang conducted
a nuclear test, agreed Friday to resume
reunions of families that have been separated
by their divided border.

Peru launches campaign to promote punctuality

Sirens wailed, church bells rang, and a sea of
confetti fluttered through Lima's historical
central plaza at the stroke of noon Thursday,
alerting Peruvians to synchronize their watches
at the start of a nationwide campaign to
promote punctuality.

South Africa and Iceland to enhance trade cooperation

Following the opening of Iceland's South African Embassy
in Pretoria, South Africa's Foreign Affairs Minister
Nkosazana Dlamini Zuma met with his Icelandic counterpart
on Tuesday 27 February to determine ways of increasing
trade between their countries.