Brazil's Federal Court of Auditors (TCU) Friday said former President Jair Bolsonaro kept for himself some 17 gifts of “high commercial value” which should have been handed over to the country's coffers. The TCU also underlined that among the more than 9,000 presents received by the former head of state, 128 of them were not of a “personal” nature and belong in the public collection.
Brazilian authorities said Friday that at least 46 people were missing after a devastating cyclone hit the southeastern State of Rio Grande do Sul since early Monday, where already 41 casualties have been reported. The federal government also pledged R$ 800 (US$167) for each of the over 3,000 people who have lost their homes to the storm.
Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi announced Saturday on the opening day of the G20 Summit that the African Union (AU) had been granted permanent member status in the group of top world economies. The AU thus becomes the second regional bloc to become a permanent member after the European Union (EU).
Councilman Bolívar Vera, 42, of the municipality of Durán was kidnapped and murdered in a new episode of Ecuador's political violence saga one month ahead of the presidential runoff. Vera's body was found Friday on a road in the rural sector of Salitre with his hands tied in the province of Guayas, it was also reported. He had been reported missing on Thursday, Sept. 7.
Venezuelan President Nicolás Maduro and Chinese Communist Party (CCP) Secretary-General Huang Kunming met Saturday at a hotel in the city of Shenzhen, in the province of Canton, to exchange experiences in the political area, as well as to strengthen the bonds of integration and mutual respect, it was informed from Caracas by the Presidency's press office.
Venezuela's National Assembly gave the green light for President Nicolás Maduro to leave the country on an international tour of friendly nations, it was reported in Caracas.
Argentina's Economy Minister and presidential candidate Sergio Massa Thursday announced the lifting of all export taxes to the sales abroad of regional economy products with added value, it was reported in Buenos Aires. The measure favors the agro-industrial sector which features over 1,200,000 registered workers.
Chilean President Gabriel Boric Font and his four living predecessors Thursday signed a so-called commitment for democracy document as the 50th anniversary of the coup d'état that brought General Augusto Pinochet Ugarte to power between 1973 and 1990 looms over.
Argentine President Alberto Fernández Thursday said his country would guarantee the supply of natural gas to neighboring Chile until Dec. 31, 2024, it was reported in Buenos Aires. With Bolivia's production declining, South America is looking to Vaca Muerta as a possible source, it was also explained. Between January and July, Argentina sold Chile US$ 556 million worth of natural gas, an 86.8% growth from the same period last year.
Brazilian President Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva and his entourage are due in New Delhi later Friday to participate in this coming weekend's Summit of G20 leaders, during which he is expected to deliver three speeches and take over the group's pro tempore presidency.