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☆ Paraguay to reestablish ties with Venezuela after extended pause
▼ + stars: | 2023-11-15 | by ( ) www.reuters.com time to read: +1 min

Paraguay's President-elect Santiago Pena speaks during an interview with Reuters ahead of his inauguration, in Asuncion, Paraguay August 7, 2023. REUTERS/Cesar Olmedo/File Photo Acquire Licensing RightsASUNCION, Nov 15 (Reuters) - Paraguay and Venezuela have decided to reestablish diplomatic ties, the Paraguayan foreign ministry said in a statement on Wednesday, after the South American countries broke off relations nearly five years ago. Formal diplomatic ties were severed in January 2019, when Paraguay recognized opposition leader Juan Guaido as Venezuela's interim president. Following talks between Paraguay's recently-elected President Santiago Pena and his Venezuelan counterpart Nicolas Maduro, the ministry said ambassadors should be formally accredited in the coming days. Reporting by Daniela Desantis; Writing by Sarah Morland; Editing by David Alire GaricaOur Standards: The Thomson Reuters Trust Principles.

Persons: Santiago Pena, Cesar Olmedo, Juan Guaido, Paraguay's, Nicolas Maduro, Daniela Desantis, Sarah Morland, David Alire Garica Organizations: Reuters, REUTERS, Rights, South, Venezuelan, Thomson Locations: Asuncion, Paraguay, Rights ASUNCION, Venezuela, Paraguayan

☆ Paraguay's biggest prison set ablaze, rioting inmates take guards hostage
▼ + stars: | 2023-10-11 | by ( ) www.reuters.com time to read: +1 min

[1/5] Police stand outside the Tacumbu penitentiary during a riot after inmates took hostage a dozen officials and caused a fire, in Asuncion, Paraguay October 10, 2023. REUTERS/Cesar Olmedo Acquire Licensing RightsASUNCION, Oct 10 (Reuters) - Inmates at Paraguay's largest prison rioted on Tuesday, taking 11 guards hostage and setting fire to facilities in the crowded Tacumbu penitentiary on the outskirts of the capital. Two hostages were later released as government and military forces responded to the revolt, according to Interior Minister Enrique Riera. Tacumbu houses nearly 4,000 inmates in a ramshackle, tin-roof building and, according to local security experts, gangs exert near-total influence over life inside. Interior Minister Riera said Paraguay would push for prison reform once the riot was quelled.

Persons: Cesar Olmedo, Enrique Riera, Riera, Daniela Desantis, Kylie Madry, Simon Cameron, Moore Organizations: Police, REUTERS, Rights, Thomson Locations: Asuncion, Paraguay, Rights ASUNCION

LOS ANGELES (AP) — Ashton Kutcher and Mila Kunis apologized Saturday for character letters the celebrity couple wrote on behalf of fellow “That ’70s Show” actor Danny Masterson before he was sentenced for rape this week. A judge in Los Angeles on Thursday sentenced Masterson to 30 years to life in prison for raping two women in 2003. In a video posted on Instagram, Kutcher and Kunis said they were sorry for the pain they may have caused with the letters, which were made public Friday. Political Cartoons View All 1148 ImagesMasterson starred with Ashton Kutcher, Mila Kunis and Topher Grace in “That ’70s Show” from 1998 until 2006. Kunis said in the apology video that their letters did not mean to undermine the testimony of victims.

Persons: — Ashton Kutcher, Mila Kunis, Danny Masterson, Masterson, Kutcher, Kunis, “, ” Kutcher, Masterson’s, Ashton Kutcher, Topher Grace, Charlaine F, ”, Olmedo Organizations: ANGELES, The Hollywood, Netflix, Los Angeles Police Department, Los Angeles Superior, Olmedo, Fox Locations: Los Angeles, Instagram, “, Masterson’s Hollywood

☆ Ashton Kutcher and Mila Kunis wrote letters of support for Danny Masterson ahead of his rape sentencing
▼ + stars: | 2023-09-08 | by ( Cheri Mossburg | ) edition.cnn.com time to read: +1 min

CNN —Ashton Kutcher and Mila Kunis wrote reference letters of support on behalf of Danny Masterson before he was sentenced on Thursday to 30 years to life in prison. Kutcher and Kunis, who co-starred with Masterson in “That ’70s Show,” are married. Kunis and Kutcher were among nearly 50 individuals to submit letters in support of Masterson. I hope that my testament to his character is taken into consideration in sentencing,” Kutcher wrote. His dedication to leading a drug-free life and the genuine care he extends to others make him an outstanding role model and friend, Kunis wrote.

Persons: CNN — Ashton Kutcher, Mila Kunis, Danny Masterson, Kutcher, Masterson, ”, Meghann Cuniff, Tony Ortega, Judge Charlaine Olmedo, ” Kutcher, “, ” “, Danny Masterson’s, Kunis Organizations: CNN, Los, ” CNN, Kunis Locations: Los Angeles

☆ 'That 70's Show' actor Masterson sentenced to 30 years to life in prison for raping two women
▼ + stars: | 2023-09-07 | by ( Rollo Ross | ) www.reuters.com time to read: +1 min

Actor Danny Masterson is arraigned on three rape charges in separate incidents between 2001 and 2003, at Los Angeles Superior Court, Los Angeles, California, U.S., September 18, 2020. REUTERS/Lucy Nicholson Acquire Licensing RightsLOS ANGELES, Sept 7 (Reuters) - "That '70s Show" actor Danny Masterson was sentenced on Thursday to 30 years to life in prison for raping two women about 20 years ago in a case that stirred controversy around the Church of Scientology. Judge Charlaine Olmedo announced the sentence in Los Angeles Superior Court. The Church of Scientology denied that claim and said Masterson's religion should not have been an issue in the case. The women said Masterson drugged and raped them in separate incidents between 2001 and 2003 at his house in the Hollywood Hills.

Persons: Danny Masterson, Lucy Nicholson, Judge Charlaine Olmedo, Masterson, “, ”, Jane Doe, Lisa Richwine, Jonathan Oatis, Cynthia Osterman Organizations: Los Angeles Superior Court, REUTERS, of Scientology, Scientology, Hollywood, Netflix, Thomson Locations: Los Angeles , California, U.S, Los Angeles

LOS ANGELES (AP) — “That ’70s Show” star Danny Masterson could get as much as 30 years to life in prison at his sentencing Thursday for the rapes of two women two decades ago. A jury of seven women and five men found Masterson guilty of two counts on May 31 after seven days of deliberations. The women blamed the church for their hesitancy in going to police about Masterson. Masterson was not charged with any counts of drugging, and there was no toxicology evidence to back up the assertion. Masterson starred with Ashton Kutcher, Mila Kunis and Topher Grace in “That ’70s Show” from 1998 until 2006.

Persons: Danny Masterson, Charlaine F, Olmedo, Masterson, “, Reinhold Mueller, they’ve, Ashton Kutcher, Mila Kunis, Topher Grace, Kutcher, Harvey Weinstein, Weinstein Organizations: ANGELES, Los Angeles Superior, Fox, Prosecutors, Scientology, ”, Associated Press, Netflix, LAPD, Hollywood Locations: Masterson’s Hollywood, “, Angeles

☆ Danny Masterson sentenced to 30 years to life in prison
▼ + stars: | 2023-09-07 | by ( Angela Yang | Corky Siemaszko | ) www.cnbc.com time to read: +1 min

"That '70s Show" star Danny Masterson was sentenced Thursday to 30 years to life in prison for raping two women more than two decades ago at his Hollywood Hills home. Masterson had been charged with raping three women — identified at trial as Jane Doe #1, Jane Doe #2 and Jane Doe #3 — between 2001 to 2003. His second trial ended with the actor being convicted of raping Jane Doe #1 and Jane Doe #2 but not Jane Doe #3. All three accusers are former members of the Church of Scientology, to which Masterson still belongs. Both trials focused unwanted attention on the controversial church, which the women have accused of trying to cover up the allegations.

Persons: Danny Masterson, Masterson, —, Jane Doe, Read, NBC News Masterson's, Judge Charlaine Olmedo, Karin Pouw Organizations: Hollywood, NBC News, of Scientology, Scientology Locations: Los Angeles

Paraguay's President-elect Santiago Pena speaks during an interview with Reuters ahead of his inauguration, in Asuncion, Paraguay August 7, 2023. His party's diplomatic support for Taiwan has hurt local farmers' grains exports to China, which claims sovereignty over the self-governed island. Taiwan Vice President William Lai is in Paraguay for Pena's inauguration. Relations with the United States will also be in focus after the U.S. government accused Pena's political backer, former President Horacio Cartes, of corruption. Pena also wants to create 500,000 new jobs in five years to boost the South American country's farm-driven economy, dominated by soybeans and beef.

Persons: Santiago Pena, Cesar Olmedo, Pena, William Lai, Horacio Cartes, " Pena, Cartes, Santi, Daniela Desantis, Lucinda Elliott, Rosalba O'Brien Organizations: Reuters, REUTERS, Colorado, Colorado Party, Pena's, U.S, American, Columbia University, IMF, Thomson Locations: Asuncion, Paraguay, ASUNCION, Taiwan, U.S, China, United States, Washington, Colorado

[1/5] Paraguay's new President Santiago Pena wears the presidential sash and holds the baton of command as he greets people with the first lady Leticia Ocampos during his inauguration, in Asuncion, Paraguay August 15, 2023. REUTERS/Cesar Olmedo Acquire Licensing RightsASUNCION, Aug 15 (Reuters) - Santiago Pena was sworn in on Tuesday as Paraguay's new president, promising to "build alliances" and show "firm and ethical leadership" for the next five years after his April election victory. "We will build alliances and cooperation with a geostrategic vision," the president said in his inaugural speech, adding that Paraguay's relationship with Taiwan "is an example of this and of Paraguay's friendly and cooperative spirit with nations." Despite pressure from farmers who want to open up Chinese markets, he has pledged to stick with Paraguay's decades-long diplomatic ties with Taiwan. Pena faces the additional challenge of shoring up relations with the United States after the U.S. government accused his political mentor, former President Horacio Cartes, of corruption.

Persons: Santiago Pena, Leticia Ocampos, Cesar Olmedo, Pena, Spain, William Lai, Mario Abdo Benitez, Santi, Horacio Cartes, Cartes, Milda Rivarola, Rivarola, Daniela Desantis, Lucinda Elliott, Jonathan Oatis, Rosalba O'Brien Organizations: REUTERS, Rights, South, Taiwan's, Colorado Party, U.S, Ultima, Thomson Locations: Asuncion, Paraguay, Rights ASUNCION, William Lai . Paraguay, China, Taiwan, Paraguayan, United States

☆ Paraguay president-elect to visit 'great friend' Taiwan's Tsai
▼ + stars: | 2023-07-09 | by ( ) www.reuters.com time to read: +2 min

[1/2] President-Elect Santiago Pena, a 44-year-old economist who won 43% of the vote on Sunday in the Presidential election, speaks during a news conference in Asuncion, Paraguay May 2, 2023. REUTERS/Cesar Olmedo/File PhotoTAIPEI, July 9 (Reuters) - Paraguay's president-elect, Santiago Pena, will visit Taiwan this week and meet "great friend" President Tsai Ing-wen, he said on Sunday, shoring up a relationship at a time China is working to entice the island's dwindling allies. Pena said on his Twitter account he would visit Abu Dhabi, then go to Taiwan to meet Tsai, who he described as a "great friend". He will be in Taiwan for the 66th anniversary of diplomatic ties on Wednesday, the ministry said. Diplomatic sources have told Reuters that Lai might attend as Taiwan's representative, likely transiting the United States to meet U.S. officials.

Persons: Santiago Pena, Cesar Olmedo, Tsai Ing, shoring, Pena, Tsai, William Lai, Wang Mei, Lai, Ben Blanchard, William Mallard Organizations: REUTERS, Democratic Progressive, Reuters, Thomson Locations: Asuncion , Paraguay, TAIPEI, Taiwan, China, Paraguay, American, Honduras, Beijing, Central America, Caribbean, U.S, America, Washington, Abu Dhabi, United States

☆ Paraguay presidential candidate Cubas arrested after post-election protests
▼ + stars: | 2023-05-05 | by ( ) www.reuters.com time to read: +1 min

[1/3] Paraguayo Cubas, who placed third in Paraguay's presidential elections last week, talks to police officers after his arrest, in Asuncion, Paraguay, May 5, 2023. REUTERS/Cesar OlmedoASUNCION, May 5 (Reuters) - Paraguayo Cubas, who placed third in Paraguay's presidential elections, has been arrested following post-election protests, authorities said on Friday. Cubas led protests to dispute Sunday's election results and call for a recount, though international organizations said there was no reason to doubt the integrity of the vote. "All the criminals in this country should be handcuffed like Paraguayo Cubas," he added as he got into a patrol car. Cubas had announced plans for renewed protests after his arrival in the capital.

☆ Paraguay's women battle to break political glass ceiling
▼ + stars: | 2023-04-29 | by ( Lucinda Elliott | ) www.reuters.com time to read: +4 min

But there are signs of change, with seven female candidates out of 26 this time around. Nunez is the vice presidential candidate for the main opposition coalition, hoping to unseat the ruling Colorado Party. The more right-wing Colorado party has also approved gender parity plans for the cabinet, though two men are on its ticket. Some women are worried that may work against female candidates, who often contend with having less political apparatus and campaign funding. "By insisting on gender parity, it opens up the debate further," Martinez said.

The ruling Colorado Party has dominated Paraguayan politics for the last three-quarters of a century, in power for all but five years. "We never talked about politics before, because a win for the Colorado Party was a done deal," 40-year-old bank worker Gustavo Vera told Reuters in the capital. "There's more corruption in Paraguay than work... All I know is we have to work much harder to make ends meet." The U.S. Treasury earlier this year imposed sanctions on party chief Horacio Cartes and Vice President Hugo Velazquez, citing "rampant corruption." Alegre, on his third presidential campaign, has pulled together a broad alliance of independent parties to challenge the powerful Colorado political machine.

☆ What to Know About Danny Masterson’s Second Rape Trial
▼ + stars: | 2023-04-26 | by ( Michael Levenson | ) www.nytimes.com time to read: +1 min

Opening arguments began on Monday in a retrial of the rape case against Danny Masterson, the actor known for his role in the sitcom “That ’70s Show,” nearly five months after the first trial ended in a deadlocked jury. The first trial ended in November when the jury could not reach a verdict on the three counts of forcible rape that the actor faced, prompting a judge to declare a mistrial. If convicted in the retrial, Masterson could face 45 years to life in prison. The charges in the retrial in Los Angeles Superior Court are the same as in the first trial. But in a potentially significant shift, the judge, Charlaine F. Olmedo, has allowed prosecutors to tell jurors directly that Masterson had drugged his three accusers, The Associated Press reported.

☆ Taiwan or China? Paraguay's dilemma puts election race in the spotlight
▼ + stars: | 2023-04-24 | by ( Lucindaalice Elliott | Daniela Desantis | ) www.reuters.com time to read: +5 min

[1/2] Paraguayan presidential candidate Santiago Pena from ruling Colorado Party, attends his campaign rally, in Asuncion, Paraguay April 18, 2023. REUTERS/Cesar OlmedoASUNCION, April 24 (Reuters) - From Paraguayan capital Asuncion to Taipei and Washington, diplomats, officials - and farmers - are closely watching a tight election race that could determine Paraguay's future ties with Taiwan. "How can I deny a relationship that is beneficial for all Paraguayans, a people that need development, need investment, need industry?" China has long argued that democratically-ruled Taiwan is part of its own territory with no right to state-to-state ties, a position Taipei strongly rejects. 'WHEN, NOT IF'Among diplomatic circles in Asuncion there is a sense a switch is inevitable - regardless of the election outcome.

☆ Paraguay marijuana festival sets high hopes for legalization
▼ + stars: | 2023-02-21 | by ( Cesar Olmedo | ) www.reuters.com time to read: +2 min

[1/12] Visitors gather near marijuana plants as farmers host a harvest festival to showcase farms that have been converted to produce medicinal cannabis, in Aguerito, Paraguay February 19, 2023. REUTERS/Cesar OlmedoAGUERITO, Paraguay, Feb 21 (Reuters) - A marijuana harvest festival in a region of Paraguay usually known for drug trafficking has sparked hopes from local farmers that legalization could follow that will allow them to grow the plant for medicinal use. They hope the festival will catch the eye of lawmakers, encouraging them to back new legislation to help small farms. Paraguay is already a major global producer of illegally-sold cannabis, exporting largely to neighboring Brazil and other South American countries. Just a handful of labs import cannabis into Paraguay for legal medicinal use, but sell it at exorbitant prices, said Jorge Rolon, the farmers' legal adviser.

☆ Danny Masterson to face second trial on rape charges
▼ + stars: | 2023-01-10 | by ( ) www.nbcnews.com time to read: +4 min

Prosecutors announced on Tuesday that they will pursue a second trial against Danny Masterson, after a jury deadlocked on three rape charges at the actor’s first trial in November. Masterson, 46, is accused of forcibly raping three women at his home in the Hollywood Hills from 2001 to 2003. Defense attorney Philip Cohen argued that it was unlikely that any jury would vote unanimously to convict. The women, who have all since left Scientology, said they feared being excommunicated from the church for going to the police. Cohen argued that Scientology was irrelevant to the case, and he sought to minimize any mention of it.

☆ Exclusive: Paraguay election race puts Taiwan ties on a knife-edge
▼ + stars: | 2023-01-05 | by ( Daniela Desantis | ) www.reuters.com time to read: +5 min

Paraguay is one of only 14 nations globally that retains diplomatic ties with Taiwan and the only South American country to do so. "Paraguay must have relations with China," Alegre said in a recent interview after being named presidential candidate. "We hold this critical position towards relations with Taiwan because we don't think we get enough back from this relationship." Santiago Pena, the Colorado Party candidate, said Paraguay's over six decades of ties with Taiwan would remain intact if he won the April 30 vote. "What we produce is enough for a neighborhood in a city in China, but what interests (Beijing) is us breaking ties with Taiwan.

LOS ANGELES — The jury weighing the rape charges against “That ‘70s Show” star Danny Masterson announced Wednesday it was hopelessly deadlocked and a mistrial was declared. Masterson has also denied assaulting a fourth woman, identified as Jane Doe #4, who told the court she too had been raped by him. While the judge allowed testimony by Jane Doe #4, Masterson was not criminally charged with raping her. The panel, on Nov. 18, sent Olmedo a note saying they had been “unable to reach a unanimous decision” on any of the three forcible rape counts against Masterson. “You have been deliberating for an insufficient amount of time,” Olmedo said before excusing them for the holiday break.

☆ In Latin America, mothers of LGBTQ children fight against prejudice
▼ + stars: | 2022-11-21 | by ( Associated Press | ) www.nbcnews.com time to read: +6 min

Founded in 2017, the Latin American Movement of Mothers of LGTB+ Children lobbies governments to eliminate prejudical laws and better enforce existing bans on violence and discrimination. Members of the Latin American Movement of Mothers of LGTB+ Children during a march in Buenos Aires, Argentina, on Nov. 5. The Latin American Movement of Mothers of LGTB+ Children held its first in-person meeting in early November in Buenos Aires, where they attended the annual massive gay pride march on Nov. 5. In some countries, mothers who try to help their children deal with discrimination suddenly find themselves the subject of scrutiny. Delfín said that she is one of two mothers in Santa Cruz who are activists fighting for their LGBTQ children.

LOS ANGELES — The jury weighing the rape charges against “That '70s Show” star Danny Masterson announced Friday it was deadlocked. Los Angeles County Superior Court Charlaine F. Olmedo told the panel to come back on Nov. 28 and try again. It was an unexpected twist in the closely-watched trial in Los Angeles County Superior Court. He has also denied assaulting a fourth woman, identified as Jane Doe #4, who told the court she too had been raped by Masterson. Dua Anjum and Diana Dasrath reported from Los Angeles and Corky Siemaszko from New York City.

LOS ANGELES — The fate of “That ’70s Show” star Danny Masterson is in the hands of a jury. Unlike his other accusers, Jane Doe #4 was never a member of the Church of Scientology, which Masterson still belongs to. But Jane Doe #4’s testimony mirrored in many ways the testimony of the three women Masterson is charged with raping. “That is going to be your power.”Mueller also took aim at Cohen’s suggestion that Masterson’s accusers colluded against him. “It became about Scientology,” Cohen said.

LOS ANGELES — “That ’70s Show” star Danny Masterson told the court Monday that he would not testify at his own rape trial. His announcement came after a fourth woman testified last week that he raped her twice, more than two decades ago after they had met on a movie set. Masterson is not charged with raping the woman, an actress identified in court as Jane Doe #4. Unlike the three women Masterson is charged with raping, Jane Doe #4 is not a former or current member of the Church of Scientology. Cohen made his third request for a mistrial after Jane Doe #4 finished testifying and was again rebuffed by the judge.

LOS ANGELES — The fourth woman to accuse “That ’70s Show” star Danny Masterson of rape told the court Thursday that she sent a supportive message to the actor’s brother two years before she told police that she, too, was a victim. Danny and you looked out for me.”Under questioning by defense attorney Philip Cohen, Jane Doe #4 confirmed that she had written the note. He is not charged with sexually assaulting Jane Doe #4. Smith, who said she also has known Masterson since he was a teenager, said Jane Doe #2 confided in her about the alleged assault in 2003. But two of the women Masterson is charged with raping have testified they were rebuffed when they told Scientology officials he sexually assaulted them.

Masterson has been charged with raping three women between 2001 and 2003 but has not been charged with sexually assaulting Jane Doe #4. On cross-examination, Jane Doe #4 said about a month later, Masterson assaulted her again at her home. Asked by Deputy District Attorney Reinhold Mueller what happened the next morning, Jane Doe #4 said "Danny was there." Unlike the other accusers, Jane Doe #4 was not a Scientologist. Dua Anjum reported from Los Angeles and Corky Siemaszko from New York City.

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