Latin America

• Tuesday, May 31st 2016 - 20:21 UTC

  OAS calls for emergency meeting to address Venezuela's “grave alterations of democratic order”

  

  The head of the Organization Of American States on Tuesday called for an emergency meeting of regional governments to evaluate Venezuela's respect for democracy, a move that could lead to the country's suspension from the hemispheric body. Luis Almagro said Venezuela had suffered “grave alterations of democratic order” and called for a vote on the matter in the coming weeks.

• Tuesday, May 31st 2016 - 19:25 UTC

  Falklands state of the nation: economic challenges but also hopes of a productive relationship with Argentina

  

  The Falkland Islands finances remain robust despite a future of domestic and overseas challenges, but on the other hand recent developments in Argentina have opened hopes for a productive, closer relationship with the South American continent, said Governor Colin Roberts in his annual speech on the state of the nation.

• Tuesday, May 31st 2016 - 06:34 UTC

  Keiko Fujimori seems set to become Peru's next president on June 5 runoff

  

  Presidential candidate Keiko Fujimori built a significant lead over Pedro Pablo Kuczynski just one week ahead of Peru's runoff election on June 5. The latest Ipsos poll shows 43% of Peru’s voters support Fujimori, compared to 38% for Kuczynski. Fujimori’s five-point lead reflects political momentum in her favor since the same poll a week ago gave her a three-point advantage.

• Monday, May 30th 2016 - 09:16 UTC

  US top official expected in Uruguay and Brazil

  

  Acting Assistant Secretary of State for Western Hemisphere Affairs Mari Carmen Aponte will travel to Montevideo, Uruguay, May 31-June 2 to lead the United States delegation at the Open Government Partnership (OGP) Americas Regional Meeting.

• Monday, May 30th 2016 - 07:36 UTC

  Venezuela's public sector will only work Mondays and Tuesdays for another two weeks

  

  Venezuela's government on Saturday extended by two weeks a decree reducing the public sector workweek to Mondays and Tuesdays in a bid to tackle the oil-rich country's electricity crisis. The enforced leave was first announced in late April, a drastic move for a government also grappling with an economic crisis that has Venezuelans queuing for hours to buy scarce supplies.

• Sunday, May 29th 2016 - 14:28 UTC

  World health experts call for Rio Olympics to be postponed or moved given Zika spread fears

  

  More than 100 health experts have called for the Rio Olympic Games to be postponed or moved because of fears that the event could speed up the spread of the Zika virus around the world, according to a public letter published online.

• Sunday, May 29th 2016 - 08:23 UTC

  “Modern Times”, robots rapidly replacing workers in electronics factories

  

  Apple and Samsung supplier Foxconn has reportedly replaced 60,000 factory workers with robots. One factory has “reduced employee strength from 110,000 to 50,000 thanks to the introduction of robots”, a government official told the South China Morning Star.

• Saturday, May 28th 2016 - 07:27 UTC

  WHO public health advice regarding the Olympics and Zika virus

  

  Based on current assessment, cancelling or changing the location of the 2016 Olympics will not significantly alter the international spread of Zika virus. Brazil is one of almost 60 countries and territories which to-date report continuing transmission of Zika by mosquitoes. People continue to travel between these countries and territories for a variety of reasons. The best way to reduce risk of disease is to follow public health travel advice.

• Tuesday, May 24th 2016 - 00:49 UTC

  Infantino admits public opinion “views FIFA with skepticism”, following Scala's resignation

  

  FIFA president Gianni Infantino admits “the public view FIFA with skepticism” after a series of corruption scandals. But in answer to critics who say a recent move has weakened efforts to reform FIFA, he said “from now on the focus should be on our actions and deeds, rather than on premature conclusions and speculation.“

• Monday, May 23rd 2016 - 10:50 UTC

  New recommendations for athletes and visitors of the coming Rio Olympic Games

  

  Australian athletes at this summer’s Rio Olympics will be supplied with condoms which offer “near complete” protection against the mosquito-borne Zika virus, the Australian Olympic Committee (AOC) announced. However, the virus has been linked to a birth defect that causes babies to be born with unusually small heads.