Stories for May 2018

Wednesday, May 9th 2018 - 07:10 UTC
Latin American (and global) currencies hit by strong dollar and Trump's policies

The dollar hovered near a four-month high on Tuesday, continuing to draw support from higher Treasury yields and upbeat prospects for the U.S. economy, leaving its major rivals such as the Euro struggling and other Latin American currencies including the Argentine peso down sharply.
Tuesday, May 8th 2018 - 08:59 UTC
Guterres praises UK contribution to UN, “Brexit or no Brexit”

Britain will remain a “very important pillar” of the United Nations after Brexit, the organization's secretary general has said. Antonio Guterres’s comments appear to contradict the fears of some opponents of Brexit that the UK’s withdrawal from the EU might throw into question its position as one of the five permanent members of the UN Security Council, alongside the US, Russia, China and France.
Tuesday, May 8th 2018 - 08:54 UTC
NRA elects ex Reagan aide involved in the Iran-Contra scandal

The influential US gun lobby the National Rifle Association (NRA) has elected a former aide to President Ronald Reagan as its new president. Oliver North, a retired US Marine Colonel, played a major role in the so-called Iran-Contra scandal.
Tuesday, May 8th 2018 - 08:48 UTC
Brazil's first lady saves her drowning dog jumping into a lake fully clothed

Brazil's first lady has jumped into a lake fully clothed to save her drowning dog. Marcela Temer was walking around the presidential palace in Brasilia with her son when the family's Jack Russell, Picoly, took an interest in the water.
Tuesday, May 8th 2018 - 08:42 UTC
Putin begins his fourth six-year term promising to multiply Russia's' strength and prosperity

Russian President Vladimir Putin was sworn in to a fourth term on Monday, extending his 18-year rule amid promises of continuity in foreign policy and renewed efforts toward building prosperity at home. During his swearing in ceremony at the gilded Andreyevsky Hall of the Grand Kremlin Palace, Putin assured Russians that his rule had “revived pride” in the country.
Tuesday, May 8th 2018 - 08:38 UTC
Italy: president proposes neutral government followed by fresh elections in 2019

President Sergio Mattarella on Monday suggested the formation of a 'neutral' government to rule until the end of this year after a third round of consultations failed to produce to way out of Italy's post-election political deadlock.
Tuesday, May 8th 2018 - 08:32 UTC
Pence calls on Maduro to suspend sham elections and asks OAS to suspend Venezuela

US Vice President Mike Pence on Monday urged Venezuela to suspend a divisive May 20 election he denounced as a “sham,” as Washington slapped fresh sanctions on Nicolas Maduro's regime. In an address to the Organization of American States, Pence slammed the upcoming presidential vote -- boycotted by the opposition and branded illegitimate by much of the international community.
Tuesday, May 8th 2018 - 08:25 UTC
Should we celebrate Karl Marx on his 200th birthday?

By Barbara Foley (*)

Some would argue that Karl Marx, author of “Capital,” has been proven wrong on just about everything he wrote. The founder of scientific socialism was born 200 years ago on May 5.
Tuesday, May 8th 2018 - 08:19 UTC
Boosted by mining and consumption Chilean economy activity soars 4.6% in March

Chile's economic activity rose 4.6% in March from the same month a year ago, its sharpest rise in five years, with a boost from rising consumption and a strengthening mining sector, the central bank said on Monday. The Monthly Economic Activity Indicator (IMACEC) of the third month compares with a 4% rise in February.
Tuesday, May 8th 2018 - 08:14 UTC
Oil rises to US$ 70 a barrel, ahead of Trump's Tuesday decision on sanctions to Iran

Oil prices rose for the fourth straight day on Monday to hit levels not seen since late 2014, boosted by the latest trouble for Venezuelan oil company PDVSA and the possibility that the United States could re-impose sanctions on Iran.