Stories for May 18th 2017

Thursday, May 18th 2017 - 22:37 UTC
Bovespa plummets 8.8% and Real suffers the largest drop in 14 years

Brazilian markets plummeted on Thursday as allegations that President Michel Temer condoned bribes to silence a key witness deflated investor optimism about the prospects for his ambitious pension and labor reform agenda.
Thursday, May 18th 2017 - 22:22 UTC
Temer rejects calls for stepping down: “I will not resign. I repeat, I will not resign”

Brazilian President Michel Temer on Thursday rejected calls for his resignation, saying he will fight allegations that he endorsed the paying of hush money to an ex-lawmaker jailed for corruption. The embattled leader spoke in a national address after Globo newspaper reported Wednesday night that Temer was recorded supporting payments to former Lower House Speaker Eduardo Cunha.
Thursday, May 18th 2017 - 21:37 UTC
Ex FBI special counsel to oversee inquiry into alleged Russia/Trump's campaign links

A former FBI boss has been named special counsel to oversee an inquiry into Russia's alleged meddling in the election and any Trump campaign ties. In naming Robert Mueller, the deputy attorney general said it was in the public interest to have an outsider. The appointment has been widely praised by politicians from both sides.
Thursday, May 18th 2017 - 21:30 UTC
Argentina applies to join the China led Asia Infrastructure Investment Bank

Foreign Minister Malcorra Susana said on Wednesday that Argentina has applied to join the China-led Asian Infrastructure Investment Bank (AIIB) and is willing to be actively involved in the Belt and Road Initiative.
Thursday, May 18th 2017 - 17:36 UTC
YPF targets US$ 10 cost per barrel at Vaca Muerta shale deposits, by end of 2018

Argentina's oil corporation YPF plans to match United States costs in developing non conventional energy, by the end of 2018. This refers to the very rich shale deposits of Vaca Muerta, with a target of 10 dollars per barrel and for this purpose it has started a program of experimental drillings.
Thursday, May 18th 2017 - 11:57 UTC
An Argentine human rights reference indicted for misuse of public funds

A judge in Argentina has indicted the head of human rights organization the Mothers of Plaza de Mayo. Hebe de Bonafini, 88, has been charged with misusing public funds allocated to a social housing project.
Thursday, May 18th 2017 - 11:04 UTC
Army troops sent to western Venezuela region to quell riots and looting

Venezuela’s government said on Wednesday it was sending troops to the western region of Tachira, rocked by violence during anti-government protests, as the United Nations Security Council prepared to discuss the crisis.
Thursday, May 18th 2017 - 10:56 UTC
Brazilian ambassador will return to Venezuela next week

Brazil's ambassador to Venezuela, withdrawn last year during tensions between the two neighbors, will return to Caracas next week, Defense Minister Raul Jungmann said Wednesday.“Next Monday, the ambassador of Brazil will return to his place in Venezuela as a gesture of goodwill,” Jungmann told journalists in Brasilia.
Thursday, May 18th 2017 - 10:36 UTC
Brazil faces humanitarian crisis in Venezuelan border as thousands spill over

Brazil is concerned about growing numbers of refugees spilling over its border from Venezuela and is creating a plan to deal with a possible mass influx if the crisis in Venezuela worsens, Brazilian Defense Minister Raul Jungmann said on Wednesday.
Thursday, May 18th 2017 - 09:03 UTC
Seism in Brazil: Temer could soon be joining Rousseff at the removed ex presidents' club

Brazil's President Michel Temer faced calls for his removal Wednesday after a newspaper reported that he had been recorded discussing payments of hush money to a corrupt politician. Temer immediately denied the report in O Globo newspaper.