His former employees were summoned to testify in the case against him for illicit enrichment: six drivers, a former private secretary, a receptionist and a Head of Protocol all talked about their experiences under López. Ever wished that the job description had been clearer before you even applied? Although many of these are random, the implications could be huge and serve to add to the image of López who used state resources for his own personal ends. The testimonies also show the close links between López and the convent where he tried to hide the US$9 million. Between fixing the Mother Superior’s wheelchair and one driver taking López and former Planning Minister Julio de Vido to the convent with both their wives it is clear that the former official’s ties to the institution ran deep.

A year after the first massive demonstration named “Ni Una Menos” (Not One Less) against femicides and gender violence, more women are talking. The number of judicial complaints regarding gender violence soared 25 percent in the first six months of the year, compared to the same period of 2015. Overall, every 60 minutes two complaints are filed regarding violence against women in the City of Buenos Aires. And one of every two cases that a prosecutor investigates corresponds to gender violence. That in no small part has to do with the “Ni Una Menos” movement that suddenly helped women talk about gender violence while also putting pressure on the judiciary to take action.

“When we took office we stepped on a lot of feet and took business away from a lot of people. I knew the risks I was running when I took up the challenge of governing the province,” said Vidal. “That has a cost and people that lose business don’t react well, but we knew that would happen,” continued Vidal. The latest death threat to Vidal was made last Sunday with a man stating that a bomb had been placed in the governor’s house in Morón. This death threat, along with several others made the week before, were made by the person leaving a message through the 911 emergency number.

Late last night, the courts ordered Lino Villar Cataldo, the doctor who killed a man trying to rob him in Loma Hermosa, Buenos Aires province be released from prison. The case has sparked huge debate in Argentina about the limits of justifiable homicide, particularly at a time when crime is on the rise. On the one hand, Cataldo assures he only killed the robber, 24-year-old Ricardo Krabler, to prevent his own death. I don’t know what went through his head.”The case has once again sparked the debate across the country over what constitutes justifiable homicide. In that case, it would be revenge, not justifiable homicide,” argues a journalist from Infobae who specializes in criminal law.

Wednesday, August 31, 2016 Colombia plebiscite text revealed as Santos signs decreeMaría Ruidis holds a photo of her missing son Everth Ibargüen, during an event to mark the International Day of the Disappeared, in Bogotá, yesterday. Referendum to decide peace with FARCBOGOTÁ — Colombian President Juan Manuel Santos yesterday officially called for a plebiscite to allow the nation to decide whether to accept a peace agreement to end more than five decades of war with Marxist rebels. “It’s a clear and simple question that leaves no room for any confusion,” Santos said after signing the text. In a historic agreement last week, the government and the FARC leadership agreed to end the war that has killed more than 220,000 people and displaced millions. The accords face fierce opposition from powerful sectors, like the popular right-wing hardliner Álvaro Uribe, who believe the only solution is to finish the FARC militarily.

Tennis Wednesday, August 31, 2016 Successful return to US Open for Del PotroJuan Martín del Potro returns a shot to Diego Schwartzman during the first round of the US Open. NEW YORK — Juan Martín del Potro, the 2009 US Open champ, won his opening match yesterday in his first appearance at the tournament since 2013. Del Potro beat fellow Argentine Diego Schwartzman 6-4 6-4 7-6 (7-3) at the Louis Armstrong Stadium after missing the tournament over the last two years because of injured wrist. Del Potro is ranked just 142nd and needed a wild card to get in. Del Potro closed out the meeting against his countryman with an ace, his 11th of the match.

Soccer Wednesday, August 31, 2016 Relief as Messi trains with national teamAFA posted yesterday this image where Lionel Messi is seen talking to coach Edgardo Bauza in Ezeiza. Bauza uses him in practice but La Pulga remains in doubt for tomorrow’s qualifierLionel Messi trained with Argentina’a national team yesterday in training sessions that were off limits to the media, held behind closed doors at the Argentine Football Association (AFA) facilities in Ezeiza. Messi participated in light drills during team training and Bauza was optimistic about his star forward’s fitness. Messi, 29, called it quits on his national team after missing a penalty in the shootout defeat to Chile in this summer’s Copa América Centenario final — the third consecutive loss for Argentina in a major final. After six matches in South American qualifying, Messi and his teammates sit third in the standings behind leaders Uruguay and Ecuador.

#watchyourstep Wednesday, August 31, 2016 The Latino influx reshaping FloridaLIBRE Initiative field director Jeandelize Burgos, left, and LIBRE’s Florida state director Cesar Grajales, right, talk with Guadalupe Rodríguez as they canvas for the conservative political organization in Buenaventura Lakes, Florida. By Sean SullivanThe Washington PostGrowth of the Hispanic population in a key battleground state upends GOP politicsLONGWOOD, Florida — Republican Bob Cortes was the first Puerto Rican mayor of this Orlando, Florida, suburb. He doesn’t want to be the first Puerto Rican from the county to lose his seat. Active in 10 states, the group is especially focused on reaching the fast-growing Puerto Rican population in Florida. Yet Reyes, 82, a Puerto Rican Democrat, said he planned to vote for Clinton and other Democrats.

Yet he faces opposition within his own coalition to the austerity measures he says are needed to restore business and consumer confidence. In her opening remarks to Senators, Rousseff said the country’s elite manufactured allegations against her after they lost the 2014 presidential election. Senator Ana Amélia Lemos said the president’s budget policies were on trial, not her life’s story. The chamber will still vote in favour of Rousseff’s impeachment, said Senator Álvaro Dias of the Green Party, which is neither part of the government coalition nor the opposition. Prominent figures joined Rousseff in what may have been her last public appearance as president, including 20 of her former Cabinet members.

And now Macri’s increasing ties with China (which he initially tried to downscale) are threatening a head-on clash with protectionism. As explicitly voiced by the Argentine Industrial Union (UIA), Argentine manufacturers are worried about Macri’s interest in an open economy in general and the dangers of this weekend’s G20 summit in Hangzhou bringing Argentina closer to formally acknowledging China as a “market economy” (and hence as a fair competitor) in particular. Since China’s manufacturing surplus last year (some 600 billion dollars and far from a record) is larger than the entire Argentine economy, the unequal competition is not merely a local problem but worldwide. Nor are UIA fears of more liberal economic policies opening the floodgates to an overseas influx reflected in the hard figures so far — imports fell 17 percent between mid-2015 and mid-2016. Yet the trade deficit with China is by far Argentina’s highest and with the home market so depressed, manufacturers are understandably apprehensive.

Wednesday, August 31, 2016 Presidential succession team scarred by graftInterim president Temer, second and third in command all facing corruption allegationsBRASILIA — Impeachment proceedings against President Dilma Rousseff have put a spotlight on corruption in the ranks of Brazil’s lawmakers. Temer denies wrongdoing and has not been charged. He denies wrongdoing. Maia denies wrongdoing and has not been charged. He denies wrongdoing.

“The significant deceleration that August inflation will show doesn’t provide the sufficient elements yet to conclude that it is convenient to loosen the monetary policy that the Central Bank has been conducting,” Sturzenegger said. “The inflation rate expectations for 2017 are still above the desirable figures. That’s why we’ll continue implementing a counteractive policy.”The Central Bank and the Finance Ministry have been of two minds over which policies to implement in order to lower the inflation rate. Sturzenegger said August inflation would be around 1.5 percent, instead of the one percentage point forecasted by Prat-Gay. “The world has defeated the inflation rate because the central banks have taken the ask of reducing it and their instruments have proven sufficient and their results overwhelming,” he said.

At Olivos residence Wednesday, August 31, 2016 Stolbizer, Macri bond over her anti-K corruption bookProgressives lawmaker and former presidential candidate Margarita Stolbizer (left) and President Mauricio Macri share a smile as they pose for a picture at the Olivos presidential residence. Pride of place is the book Yo acuso (“I accuse”), which Stolbizer wrote addressing Kirchnerite corruption. Progressives lawmaker Margarita Stolbizer met President Mauricio Macri in his Olivos residence yesterday, where she handed him a copy her new book Yo Acuso. The book details her corruption investigation against former president Cristina Fernández de Kirchner. Ever since losing her presidential election as the Progressives front presidential candidate, Stolbizer has grown closer to anti-Kirchnerite politicians.

He also sought to put a positive spin on Brexit, saying that it opened up Britain’s relationships with the outside world at large, including with Argentina. Right at the start of his mission Kent sees a bright future ahead for the relationship between Argentina and the world’s 5th largest economy. All the planets are aligned for a strong and pragmatic relationship in his view. Yesterday’s CCAB luncheon was Kent’s first public appearance since presenting his credentials to Macri on Monday although earlier in the morning he visited the Argentine-British Community Council. The Ambassador was introduced by CCAB President Julian Rooney, who said that the Chamber was busy preparing an upcoming trade mission to London.

President DIlma Rousseff set to be ousted today Wednesday, August 31, 2016 Impeachment will not solve the mess in BrazilBrazil’s suspended President Dilma Rousseff speaks during the final session of debate and voting of her impeachment trial in Brasilia yesterday. But rather than strengthening Brazil’s 31-year-old democracy, the impeachment process may serve only to further alienate voters disillusioned with the political system. That would end 13 years of rule by Rousseff’s leftist Workers’ Party, which has dominated a series of coalition governments. Running Brazil requires deft negotiating and political skills, neither of which are Rousseff’s strong points. “For the next year, we will suffer bitterly the fruits of this coup,” said Viviane Moreira, 31, an engineer who was among the protesters in Rio, referring to Rousseff’s impeachment.