The seeds' multinational Monsanto Co. said it would suspend future soybean technologies in Argentina, a move that could limit output of the country’s main cash crop, after a disagreement with the government over inspections of genetically modified soybeans.
Brazils Supreme Tribunal (STF) Justice Rosa Weber has given suspended president Dilma Rousseff ten days to explain her repeated statements that the impeachment process started against her is a “coup”. Rousseff is not obliged to respond. The STF decision follows a request from a group of lawmakers via the House's prosecution office.
Federal Reserve officials consider the United States economy could be ready for another interest rate increase in June, according to the minutes from the central bank's April policy meeting released on Wednesday. Most participants in the policy-setting committee's April 26-27 meeting said they wanted to see signs that economic growth was picking up in the second quarter and that employment and inflation were firming, the minutes showed.
Brazil's fiscal deficit prior to debt interest payments could reach 150 billion Reais (US$42.10 billion) this year as revenues collapse amid a crippling recession economy, Finance Minister Henrique Meirelles warned on Wednesday. The deficit includes eventual losses from state electricity holding Eletrobras.
Uruguayan ex president Jose Mujica said on Wednesday that in Venezuela “everybody has gone nuts” and president Nicolas Maduro is “mad as a hatter”. The former leader was reacting to the controversy between his former foreign minister and now OAS secretary general, Luis Almagro and Maduro.
Venezuelan President Nicolas Maduro said on Wednesday he was prepared to escalate a state of emergency imposed this week after opposition-led protests in the capital and other cities. Maduro told supporters he would give the order - which implies suspending laws and rights to maintain public order - if “violent” anti-government acts occurred.
A Brazilian federal judge on Wednesday sentenced Jose Dirceu, a former presidential chief of staff, to 23 years and three months in prison for his role in a massive corruption scheme centered on state-controlled oil company Petrobras. Judge Sergio Moro, who is spearheading the bribes-for-inflated contracts probe, found Dirceu guilty of accepting and paying bribes and money laundering.
Brazils' Worker's Party, PT, to which suspended President Dilma Rousseff belongs, insisted that the country is experiencing a coup and announced a campaign to remove acting President Michel Temer. PT president Rui Falcao said after a meeting of the national party directorate in Brasilia, that party members will continue fighting the coup and will undertake actions to raise society's awareness of the need to get rid of Temer.
“Humanitarian approach” is how Argentine diplomacy plans to implement policy towards the Falkland Islands including greater air and sea contacts, which could lead to open trade, convincing Mercosur members to lift the ban, plus offers of specialized medicine and higher education opportunities for Falkland Islanders.
Argentina and the United States are in the process of reestablishing strong defense links after a hiatus of seven years following this week's visit to the Pentagon of a high profile delegation from the ministry of defense which addressed several issues of mutual interest and common strategies.