In the meantime, in Brazil...

Brazil House Speaker Resigns Amid Charges

"The speaker of Brazil's lower house resigned Wednesday amid charges he extorted bribes from a local businessman, the latest casualty of corruption scandals that have rocked Brazil's government.

By stepping down, Rep. Severino Cavalcanti, 74, avoids the risk of impeachment, which would make him ineligible to run for public office for eight years."

Brazil's No. 3 politician resigns: "Severino Cavalcanti, a key government ally, was the most senior politician to fall during a wider scandal over vote-buying and illegal funding by the ruling Workers' Party.

His departure could expose President Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva to impeachment demands if the opposition takes his post."