Headlines

Rio police raid slum to arrest drug lords, prompt gun battle

RIO DE JANEIRO (AP) — Police exchanged fire with assailants Thursday when they raided one of Rio de Janeiro’s slums to arrest alleged drug traffickers.Media reports said as many as 11 people were killed in the violence, but authorities did not immediately confirm any casualties.

Paraguay launches corruption probe of former president

BUENOS AIRES, Argentina (AP) — Paraguay’s attorney general launched a criminal investigation Thursday into U.S. allegations that a former Paraguayan president and the current vice president were involved in corruption and had ties to a terrorist group.

Taiwan recalls ambassador as Honduras switches ties to China

TAIPEI, Taiwan (AP) — Taiwan says it has recalled its ambassador to Honduras amid moves by the Central American country to establish formal diplomatic ties with China.Taiwan and China have been locked in a battle for diplomatic recognition since the sides split amid civil war in 1949.

Jury finds former Puerto Rican mayor guilty of corruption

SAN JUAN, Puerto Rico (AP) — A federal jury has found a former Puerto Rican mayor guilty of bribery, extortion and conspiracy in the U.S territory’s latest government corruption case.Ángel Pérez Otero, who was mayor of the northern city of Guaynabo and president of Puerto Rico’s Mayors’ Federation, was released on bail after the verdict in U.S.

Uruguayans go on strike against social security reforms

Uruguayans were preparing for a disruptive Thursday as unions and other groups are to stage nationwide strikes to protest against President Luis Lacalle Pou's initiative to make adjustments to the pension system and increase the retirement age despite his campaign promises

Brazil would like to see Argentina join BRICS, FM says

Brazil's Foreign Minister Mauro Vieira told the website Metrópoles that his country would like to have Argentina join the BRICS group, but insisted that for such a move to happen it would depend on the consensus from the other bloc members (Russia, India, China, and South