Brazil police arrest ex-minister Palocci for graft

Brazilian police on Monday arrested Antonio Palocci, a powerful former finance minister and presidential chief of staff in recent Workers Party (PT) governments, as a sweeping anti-corruption probe hit even harder at the left-leaning party.
Prosecutors said at a news conference that Palocci acted as a liaison between the PT and Brazil’s largest engineering and construction conglomerate, Odebrecht SA [ODBES.UL], from 2006 to 2013 in a kickback scheme centered on contracts at state-led oil company Petroleo Brasileiro SA, or Petrobras.
“Evidence has surfaced … that he was responsible for coordinating his political party’s receipt of surreptitious payments from the Odebrecht Group,” read Monday’s search and arrest warrant signed by anti-corruption judge Sergio Moro.

Former Israel president Shimon Peres dies aged 93

Former Israeli president Shimon Peres has died at the age of 93, according to reports.
His death comes two weeks after he suffered a stroke.
Doctors had said Mr Peres had made some progress but his condition deteriorated rapidly on

Trump vows to hit Clinton harder in next U.S. presidential debate

Donald Trump, U.S. Republican presidential candidate on Tuesday in Washington vowed to hit rival Democrat Hillary Clinton harder in next presidential debate.
This was coming after Clinton put him on the defensive by accusing him of being a racist, sexist and a tax dodger during their first matchup.
Trump, making his first run for public office, praised himself for not attacking Clinton about the

Clinton leads 1-0 after debate– but no game-changer

Hillary Clinton was calm, cool, well-prepared and — pundits say — victorious in the first presidential debate against Donald Trump, but her strong showing may have little impact on polls showing them in a dead heat.
Both campaigns cried victory Tuesday after the sometimes nasty showdown in which the White House hopefuls sparred on the economy, crime, foreign policy and more personal issues — like Clinton’s email controversy and Trump’s refusal to release his taxes.
“We had a great, great time last night,” a beaming Clinton told reporters on a plane taking her to North Carolina for a renewed bout of campaigning.
“And I think people saw last night some very clear differences between us,” the Democrat added.
The Republican Trump, who told AFP after the debate that it had gone very well for him, took to