Stories for March 2015

Tuesday, March 17th 2015 - 07:18 UTC
More former Petrobras top officials arrested on money laundering investigation

Brazilian police arrested a former Petrobras executive on Monday, in a broad kickback and money laundering investigation that has rattled some of the nation's biggest companies and political parties.
Tuesday, March 17th 2015 - 07:07 UTC
Mexican star journalist sacked for revealing origin of First Lady’s mansion

An influential Mexican broadcast journalist whose report about the first lady's mansion caused a scandal was sacked on Sunday, sparking anger among supporters who called her firing an affront to freedom of speech. Carmen Aristegui had been publicly feuding with her employer, MVS Radio, in recent days after two of her investigative reporters were fired by the company.
Monday, March 16th 2015 - 11:00 UTC
Peaceful massive protests against Rousseff on Sunday throughout Brazil

Over one million demonstrators marched in cities and towns across Brazil to protest a sluggish economy, rising prices and corruption, and some even calling for the impeachment of populist President Dilma Rousseff. The marches on Sunday come as Brazil struggles to overcome economic and political malaise and pick up the pieces of a boom that crumbled once Rousseff took office in 2011.
Monday, March 16th 2015 - 10:48 UTC
President Maduro will rule the rest of the year with decree powers

Venezuela's parliament has granted President Nicolas Maduro decree powers for the rest of 2015 in a move he says is to defend the country from US meddling but opponents decry as evidence of autocracy. In a noisy National Assembly session, ruling Socialist Party legislators, who have a majority, applauded the “Enabling Law” as a legitimate response to a US declaration that Venezuela is a security threat and sanctions on seven officials.
Monday, March 16th 2015 - 10:39 UTC
Israel newspaper questions Nisman’s accusations against Cristina Fernandez and Timerman

Israeli newspaper Haaretz has published an article questioning the criminal accusation filed by late AMIA prosecutor Alberto Nisman against Argentine President Cristina Fernández and Foreign minister Hector Timerman, while asserting that the official's handling of the case was far from exemplary.
Monday, March 16th 2015 - 10:25 UTC
UK caught on the wrong side in a US/Beijing dispute over Chinese development bank

The US has expressed concern over the UK's bid to become a founding member of a Chinese-backed development bank. The UK is the first big Western economy to apply for membership of the Asian Infrastructure Investment Bank (AIIB) despite the fact that US has raised questions over the bank's commitment to international standards on governance.
Monday, March 16th 2015 - 10:16 UTC
EU also interested in close relations with Cuba; top European official expected in Havana

European Union foreign policy chief Federica Mogherini has announced she will visit Cuba later this month. Ms Mogherini said Cuba was facing a very interesting period and the EU wanted to build on the momentum to “take the relationship forward”.
Monday, March 16th 2015 - 10:08 UTC
Unasur calls on the US to revoke measures against Venezuela and implement dialogue

The Union of South American Nations (UNASUR) slammed the United States for its decision to label Venezuela as a security threat and impose sanctions against a number of its officials, calling on Washington to revoke the measure.
Sunday, March 15th 2015 - 02:33 UTC
Argentina will keep to its monetary policy despite a 20% devaluation of the Brazilian Real

Argentina’s central bank governor Alejandro Vanoli said that despite the continued erosion of the Brazilian currency against the US dollar, which ended the week trading at 3.28 Real to the greenback, monetary policy will continue to manage the foreign exchange to avoid volatility and ensure economic growth.
Sunday, March 15th 2015 - 02:25 UTC
Brazil readies for Sunday’s mass protests; tepid marches in support of Dilma on Friday

Pro-government labor unions, student organizations and social activists staged demonstrations across Brazil on Friday in support of President Dilma Rousseff, two days before mass protests planned against her administration.