Brazil

• Saturday, July 30th 2016 - 08:38 UTC

  Olympics equestrian sports have to live with glanders scare in Rio

  

  Brazil's summer Olympics, scheduled to be opened in less than a week, have added another challenge to the long list of complaints and disease-scares, such as Zika, but this time the culprits are not mosquitoes but an alleged outbreak of glanders disease, a deadly equine respiratory condition. And this has surfaced when the world's top riders and their mounts prepare to compete in Rio de Janeiro events.

• Saturday, July 30th 2016 - 08:15 UTC

  “Keep mouths closed” aquatic athletes competing at Rio Olympics have been told

  

  Aquatic athletes competing in the forthcoming Rio Olympics Games have been advised to keep their mouths shut while competing because they will “literally be swimming in human crap” and could pick up heavy duty illnesses from the contaminated water.

• Saturday, July 30th 2016 - 07:58 UTC

  Lula appeals to UN claiming he is victim of abuse of power by a judge and media in a corruption investigation

  

  Lawyers for Brazil's former President Lula da Silva petitioned the United Nations on Thursday with allegations that his human rights had been violated in a corruption investigation.

• Saturday, July 30th 2016 - 07:47 UTC

  Olympics chief praises Rio and anticipates a “fantastic” Games

  

  The head of the International Olympic Committee played down problems with unfinished accommodation in Rio de Janeiro that have prompted some teams to abandon the Olympic village, saying he expected Brazil to host a “fantastic” games.

• Saturday, July 30th 2016 - 07:17 UTC

  Del Potro carries his memories of London's bronze into Rio

  

  In his comeback year, the Argentine tennis star wants to relive the unique Olympic experience, but is aware that this time around he is not in his best form. A tale that started in London 2012, took two breaks to undergo wrist surgery, recharged batteries at Wimbledon less than a month ago, picked up some bonus energy in Italy, now goes to Rio and then back to Britain.

• Saturday, July 30th 2016 - 05:39 UTC

  Mercosur limbo: Uruguay's presidency is over, who will hold the rotating chair ?

  

  Uruguay made public on Friday a letter sent to Mercosur fellow full members stating the finalization, this Saturday 30 July, of its six-month presidency of the group, which means the rotating chair “should be transferred to Venezuela”. The letter was accompanied by a 32 page report of its six-month as chair of the group, particularly intense because of the trade negotiations with the European Union.

• Saturday, July 30th 2016 - 04:22 UTC

  Mercosur controversy: Brazil does not oppose Venezuela, but Caracas must first comply with agreed set of rules

  

  Brazilian interim president Michel Temer laid out the steps Venezuela must comply with before it is confirmed as full member of Mercosur, and following on that can effectively become chair of the group. Temer's Friday statement makes clear Brazil's position in the ongoing controversy regarding Venezuela's aspiration to succeed Uruguay in the rotating chair.

• Thursday, July 28th 2016 - 12:59 UTC

  Miss Bumbum displays her attributes in Olympics' body paintings

  

  The Rio Olympics have their “”sex muse” promoted by Playboy magazine with a display of pictures of Brazilian model Suzy Cortez, in body painting, who currently holds the Miss Bumbum crown (sexiest derriere).

• Thursday, July 28th 2016 - 12:53 UTC

  Rio Olympics cocaine: neat envelopes with the Games logo and rings

  

  Rio Olympic Games scheduled to be opened in just a few days time is facing all sorts of last minute challenges, mainly because of lack of proper planning and shortcomings, but this has not impeded the so called “marvelous” city, known for its sculptural girls, beautiful beaches and easy going mood as well as crime, drugs and favelas, to adapt inventiveness to the festivity spirit.

• Thursday, July 28th 2016 - 11:23 UTC

  Uruguay will transfer Mercosur chair to Venezuela, despite objections from Brazil and Paraguay

  

  Despite objections from Brazil and Paraguay, Uruguay next Saturday 30 July will transfer to Venezuela the rotating chair of Mercosur for the second half of the year, as indicated in the “group's rules and regulations”.