Stories for May 2018

Thursday, May 24th 2018 - 07:32 UTC
China expected to import record volumes of US oil and soy, to help ease trade tensions with the US

China will import record volumes of U.S. oil and is likely to ship more U.S. soy after Beijing signaled to state-run refiners and grains purchasers they should buy more to help ease tensions between the two top economies, trade sources said on Wednesday.
Thursday, May 24th 2018 - 07:20 UTC
Brazil lowers diesel prices 10%, but truckers' strike continues threatening grain exports

Petrobras on Wednesday temporarily cut diesel prices by 10% in order to help the Brazilian government and truck drivers resolve a protest crippling highways.
Thursday, May 24th 2018 - 07:12 UTC
May Fed minutes suggest a rate hike would soon be appropriate; next meeting in mid-June

Federal Reserve officials earlier this month suggested that another rate hike was on the way soon, while also noting several risks facing the economy, ranging from rising wage pressures to potential harm from the Trump administration's trade policies.
Thursday, May 24th 2018 - 07:03 UTC
UN denies Lula's request for emergency action against his imprisonment

The United Nations Human Rights Committee has denied a request by Brazil's ex-president Lula da Silva seeking emergency action against his imprisonment, a spokeswoman said on Wednesday. Lula, currently serving a 12-year sentence over corruption, asked the committee to impose so-called “interim measures” -- a step the UN panel only takes when there is evidence an accused person is facing grave, irreparable harm.
Thursday, May 24th 2018 - 06:49 UTC
Italian president gives his blessing to the new populist coalition government

Italy's president Sergio Mattarella accepted a political novice Giuseppe Conte, a populist coalition's candidate, as prime minister on Wednesday in a bid to forge a functioning government and end the nation's weeks-long political deadlock.
Thursday, May 24th 2018 - 06:31 UTC
Boris Johnson interested in a trade agreement with Chile and the Pacific Alliance

Foreign Secretary Boris Johnson concluded a five-day charm offensive in South America on Wednesday by expressing interest in a trade agreement with Chile and other countries in the so-called Pacific Alliance. Johnson extended a trip to a G20 foreign ministers’ meeting in Buenos Aires to include a tour of Peru, Argentina and Chile, seeking closer ties with all three countries.
Wednesday, May 23rd 2018 - 20:25 UTC
Falkland Islands second air link announcement expected after June 13th

The Falkland Islands government announced on Wednesday it has received an evaluation report regarding a second weekly air link to the Falklands, from specialist consulting Aviation Economics, and will be briefing the Executive Council at their 13 June meeting, and recommending a response to the proposed options.
Wednesday, May 23rd 2018 - 08:44 UTC
Brazil's Temer calls on centrist parties to support Meirelles as presidential candidate

Brazilian President Michel Temer scrapped plans to run for re-election on Tuesday and said he supported his former finance minister, Henrique Meirelles, to stand as the presidential candidate of the ruling Brazilian Democratic Movement (MDB).
Wednesday, May 23rd 2018 - 08:39 UTC
Facebook' Zuckerberg avoids questions and leaves EU lawmakers disappointed

Tensions soared between a handful of leading MEPs and Facebook CEO Mark Zuckerberg as the 34-year-old billionaire avoided answering detailed questions on the company’s data policies during a meeting in the European Parliament on Tuesday evening. Zuckerberg gave general responses to the MEPs, who came to the meeting ready to grill the CEO over Facebook’s recent data scandal, its advertising policy, and whether the social media giant is a monopoly.
Wednesday, May 23rd 2018 - 08:33 UTC
Spanish left wing leader takes heavy flack for purchasing a 600.000 Euro mansion

Accusations of hypocrisy have rained down on the couple that heads Spain's far-left Podemos party for buying a 600,000-Euro luxury home with a swimming pool after previously condemning such extravagance. The purchase caused unease among the rank and file of Podemos, which was formed in 2014 to represent “the people” against “the caste” -- as it called the country's political and business elites -- and there are fears it could cost the party at the ballot box.