Politics

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 - 06:30 UTC
Mercosur: Brazil and Paraguay's rejection of Venezuela is “a desperate attitude”

Brazil and Paraguay's rejection to Venezuela holding the Mercosur rotating chair sounds much like a “desperate” attitude, but nevertheless it is unpostponable, said Venezuela foreign minister Delcy Rodríguez: ”it is impossible that the compliance of the (Mercosur) treaty can't be respected”.
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.
Friday, July 29th 2016 - 13:40 UTC
Kuczynski pledges to modernize Peru and a “social revolution” to fight poverty, racism and corruption

Pedro Pablo Kuczynski took office as Peru's president on Thursday, asking the opposition-controlled Congress to help him fight income inequality and ensure all Peruvians have access to running water, health care and free primary education.
Friday, July 29th 2016 - 13:25 UTC
Uruguay will not fund Turkey ticket for vanished ex Guantanamo inmate who surfaced in Venezuela

The Uruguayan government announced on Thursday it will not fund the return trip or to Turkey or any third country, of former Guantanamo prisoner, Jihad Ahmad Dhiab who went missing for over a month and this week turned up at the Uruguayan consulate in Caracas, Venezuela.
Thursday, July 28th 2016 - 13:56 UTC
Spanish King “concerned” with political paralysis; no stable government in sight

King Felipe VI is “concerned” with Spain's political paralysis, a lawmaker who met him said as the monarch began a fourth round of talks with party representatives to try and agree on a government. Spain has been without a fully-functioning government for seven months after December elections failed to give any party an absolute parliamentary majority.
Thursday, July 28th 2016 - 13:04 UTC
Fed sees current conditions remaining unchanged, at least until December

The United States Federal Reserve on Thursday left key interest rates untouched but acknowledged improved economic performance, suggesting a rate increase may be on the horizon in 2016.