Stories for December 2017

Saturday, December 23rd 2017 - 10:11 UTC
Petrobras 2018/22 business plan foresees US$ 74.5bn investments

Petrobras' business and management plan for 2018 through 2022, approved by the Brazilian state-owned oil company's board of directors, foresees investments of US$ 74.5 billion, slightly higher than the US$ 74.1 billion projected in the previous 2017-2021 program.
Saturday, December 23rd 2017 - 09:58 UTC
Petrobras corruption: Offshore corporation agrees to pay US$ 422 million in fines

Keppel Corporation's offshore and marine unit has reached a global resolution with criminal authorities in the United States, Brazil and Singapore in relation to corrupt payments made by a former agent in Brazil. The resolution, involving three jurisdictions across the world, is unprecedented for a Singapore company.
Saturday, December 23rd 2017 - 09:46 UTC
Chemicals less and less effective against Asian rust in Brazil's soybean fields

Over almost two decades, a plant disease known as Asian rust has infiltrated soybean fields across Brazil -- the world’s biggest exporter of the versatile oilseed used in countless consumer products. But the pathogen has become so resistant to chemicals meant to kill it that many farmers spray several times during their growing seasons, and still endure output losses.
Saturday, December 23rd 2017 - 09:40 UTC
Boeing's interest in Embraer conditioned by the Brazilian government

United States manufacturer Boeing Co sought to calm Brazilian concern about a potential tie-up with Embraer SA after President Michel Temer and other officials warned they would veto any full takeover bid for the regional jet maker.
Saturday, December 23rd 2017 - 09:35 UTC
Chile calls for closer links between Mercosur and the Pacific Alliance

Chilean Foreign Affairs Minister Heraldo Munoz called for closer ties between Latin America's two leading trade blocs. Mercosur and the Pacific Alliance should work more closely together, Munoz told the 51st Mercosur and associate members summit held this week in Brasilia.
Saturday, December 23rd 2017 - 09:23 UTC
Divided Fujimori opposition helped Kuczynski avoid removal from office

Peruvian President Pedro Pablo Kuczynski has thwarted a bid in Congress to force him out over a graft scandal, as an opposition lawmaker accused him of securing votes by promising to free ex-president Alberto Fujimori from jail. Before Thursday evening’s vote on a motion to push him out, Kuczynski urged lawmakers to set aside unproven allegations of graft against him to defend Peru from what he called a coup attempt by the right-wing Popular Force party.
Saturday, December 23rd 2017 - 09:13 UTC
Ecuador constitutional court allows process to dismiss imprisoned ex vice-president

Ecuador's Constitutional Court gave lawmakers authority to start proceedings aimed at dismissing Vice President Jorge Glas -- in prison for graft -- from office. The court's judges gave unanimous backing to the National Assembly to go ahead with the procedure.
Saturday, December 23rd 2017 - 08:47 UTC
Trump administration recognizes reelected Hernandez as Honduras president

The Trump administration on Friday recognized the results of Honduras’ disputed presidential election, despite problems found by poll observers and calls from the U.S. Congress for a new vote. In a statement, the U.S. State Department congratulated President Juan Orlando Hernandez on his re-election, but also urged the country’s electoral commission to examine all disputes to the result.
Friday, December 22nd 2017 - 23:09 UTC
Venezuela's shortage of cash means big business for some

In view of the hyperinflation in their country, Venezuelans have developed “creative” forms of business.
Friday, December 22nd 2017 - 11:02 UTC
Macri sends message to the Venezuelan people and demands respect for human rights

Argentine president Mauricio Macri in Brasilia expressed full solidarity with the Venezuelan people, called for human rights respect and freedom for the political prisoners held by the regime of president Nicolas Maduro.