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Gonzalez is set to face the surprise second-place finisher Daniel Noboa in a run-off election in October, according to the National Electoral Council of Ecuador (CNE), as neither candidate won more than 50% of the ballot. Ecuador presidential candidate Daniel Noboa makes remarks as he arrives to participate in a presidential debate on August 13. Crime has topped the agenda of this year’s presidential race, which was punctuated by the assassination of presidential candidate Fernando Villavicencio, an outspoken anti-corruption journalist. Gunfire interrupted Noboa’s caravan on Thursday as he was traveling in Guayas province, but authorities say the presidential candidate was not the target of the incident. But the winner of October’s run-off vote will have relatively little time to work on a solution.

Persons: CNN — Luisa González, Gonzalez, Daniel Noboa, Ecuadorians, Diana Atamaint, González, Rafael Correa –, Álvaro Noboa –, Guillermo Lasso, Karen Toro, Fernando Villavicencio, Pedro Briones, Christian Zurita, October’s Organizations: CNN, Movimiento Revolución, Sunday, Electoral, Accion Democratica Nacional, Electoral Council Locations: Ecuador, Belgium, Esmeraldas province, Guayas, Quito, Russia, Ukraine, China, Bangladesh

☆ Shoot-out occurs near Ecuador candidate Sonnenholzner day before vote
▼ + stars: | 2023-08-19 | by ( Alexandra Valencia | ) www.reuters.com time to read: +2 min

[1/2] Ecuador presidential candidate Otto Sonnenholzner of the Actuemos Coalition gives remarks as he arrives to participate in a presidential debate, in Quito, Ecuador August 13, 2023. REUTERS/Karen Toro Acquire Licensing RightsQUITO, Aug 19 (Reuters) - A shoot-out erupted on Saturday near a restaurant where Ecuadorean presidential candidate Otto Sonnenholzner was eating with his family, police and the candidate said, though the violence was not directed at him. Ecuadoreans head to the polls on Sunday to elect a new president and legislature after a campaign clouded by the assassination of anti-corruption candidate Fernando Villavicencio 10 days ago. "We just suffered a shoot-out in front of the place where I was breakfasting with my family," Sonnenholzner, a pro-market candidate and former vice president said on X, previously called Twitter. Fellow presidential candidate Daniel Noboa on Thursday said there was an attack on his campaign caravan in Duran, but police later said the shooting was not directed at Noboa, son of prominent banana businessman and former presidential candidate Alvaro Noboa.

Persons: Otto Sonnenholzner, Karen Toro, Fernando Villavicencio, we're, Sonnenholzner, Villavicencio, Daniel Noboa, Alvaro Noboa, Francisco Tamariz, Tamariz, Agustin Intriago, Alexandra Valencia, Julia Symmes Cobb, Cynthia Osterman, Grant McCool Organizations: Ecuador, Actuemos Coalition, REUTERS, Rights, Police, Thomson Locations: Quito, Ecuador, Rights QUITO, Guayaquil, Duran, Noboa, La Libertad, Santa Elena, Pacific, Manta

☆ Presidential hopeful Sandra Torres pitches experience as Guatemala seeks change
▼ + stars: | 2023-08-17 | by ( Brendan O'Boyle | ) www.reuters.com time to read: +3 min

Presidential candidate Sandra Torres, of the National Unity of Hope (UNE) political party, greets supporters during a campaign rally ahead of the presidential run-off, in Guatemala City, Guatemala August 5, 2023. REUTERS/Cristina Chiquin/File Photo Acquire Licensing RightsAug 17 (Reuters) - Sandra Torres is pitching her two decades as a leading figure in Guatemalan politics as she tries to woo disenchanted voters ahead of a presidential runoff on Sunday and avoid a third straight election loss. Torres, who hails from a poor town in Guatemala's Peten region, has promised to expand the social safety net if elected. But while her party's last government did reduce poverty, Torres' efforts have also drawn criticism for being "clientelistic," said Will Freeman, a fellow for Latin America studies at the Council on Foreign Relations. Torres has sought new allies as she seeks to reverse her election losses, analysts said.

Persons: Sandra Torres, Cristina Chiquin, Torres, Bernardo Arevalo, Alvaro Colom, Will Freeman, June's, Brendan O'Boyle, Rosalba O'Brien Organizations: National Unity of, REUTERS, of, Council, Foreign Relations, Gallup, Thomson Locations: Guatemala City, Guatemala, Central America's, United States, Guatemala's Peten, Arevalo

☆ Depay rocket helps Atletico to 3-1 LaLiga win over Granada
▼ + stars: | 2023-08-14 | by ( Fernando Kallas | ) www.reuters.com time to read: +2 min

MADRID, Aug 14 (Reuters) - Atletico Madrid striker Memphis Depay scored with a stunning long-range strike in the second half to help secure a 3-1 home win over promoted Granada in their LaLiga opener on Monday. Alvaro Morata gave Atletico a first-half lead and Marcos Llorente put the icing on the cake with a late third against last season's LaLiga2 champions. Atletico were again on top in the second half and substitute Depay wasted a golden opportunity on the hour mark, sending his close-range shot wide. However, five minutes later substitute Depay put Atletico in front again when he unleashed an unstoppable rocket shot from distance that flew into the top left-hand corner of the net. The one negative for Atletico was that they lost captain Koke with a leg muscle injury early in the first half.

Persons: Atletico Madrid striker Memphis Depay, Alvaro Morata, Marcos Llorente, Antoine Griezmann, Yannick Carrasco, Rodrigo De Paul, Morata, Jesus Vallejo, Depay, Samuel Omorodion, Carrasco miscontrolled, Gonzalo Villar, Andre Ferreira, Diego Simeone, I'm, Koke, Fernando Kallas, Ken Ferris Organizations: Atletico Madrid striker Memphis, Granada, Atletico, Metropolitano, Movistar, Memphis, Thomson Locations: MADRID, Granada, Morata, Memphis

☆ Guatemala elections: Troubled vote looms
▼ + stars: | 2023-08-12 | by ( Tara John | ) edition.cnn.com time to read: +6 min

Torres won 16% of the first-round vote in June with Arévalo coming in with 11.8% of the votes cast. “Guatemalans wanted an option on the ballot where they can vote to reject the current political system. Moises Castillo/APThis is the third presidential cycle Torres has competed in, losing in 2019 to current President Alejandro Giammattei. Guatemala currently recognizes Taiwan, and Arévalo has said he would like Guatemala to have relations with both Taipei and Beijing. Congress is set to be largely controlled by establishment parties following this year’s elections, including the outgoing president’s Vamos party and Torres’ UNE.

Persons: CNN —, Sandra Torres, Bernardo Arévalo –, Torres, Arévalo, “ Guatemalans, ” Will Freeman, backsliding, Arevalo, Cristina Chiquin, Reuters Arévalo, Rafael Curruchiche, ” Curruchiche, “, ” Freeman, Bukele, Alvaro Colom, Moises Castillo, Alejandro Giammattei, Juan José Arévalo, Freeman, Thelma Aldana, Aldana, Luis Von Ahn, Torres ’ Organizations: CNN, Council, Foreign Relations, United, Public Ministry, Reuters, Movimiento Semilla, US State Department, US, European, Unidad Nacional de la Esperanza, Getty, Duolingo, Torres ’ UNE Locations: backsliding, Guatemala, America, United Nations, Guatemala City, Spain, European Union, United Kingdom, Canada, El Salvador, Taiwan, Taipei, Beijing

☆ Mourinho denies row with Roma bosses over transfer business
▼ + stars: | 2023-08-07 | by ( ) www.reuters.com time to read: +2 min

"Regarding the imaginary striker, I can tell you that even if (Kylian) Mbappe arrives next week, it would still be late." But to say that I am in open war with the club... is very wrong," Mourinho said. Roma were one of eight clubs that reached settlements with UEFA last season after failing to comply with break-even requirements the previous campaign. Roma have had a quiet transfer window as a result, signing free agents Evan N'Dicka and Houssem Aouar and bringing in Rasmus Kristensen on loan from Leeds United. He is of the highest level... and we can't do without him," Mourinho said.

Persons: Jose Mourinho, Tammy Abraham, Mourinho, Mbappe, Abraham, Alvaro Morata, Gianluca Scamacca, Tammy, Roma, Evan N'Dicka, Rasmus Kristensen, Paulo Dybala, Trevor Stynes, Christian Radnedge Organizations: AS Roma, Italian, Corriere dello, Roma, Serie A, Spain, Atalanta, Salernitana, UEFA, Leeds United, Thomson Locations: Portugal, Argentina

☆ Amazon to Meet Regulators as U.S. Considers Possible Antitrust Suit
▼ + stars: | 2023-08-07 | by ( David Mccabe | More About David Mccabe | ) www.nytimes.com time to read: +1 min

commissioners, said the person, who spoke on the condition of anonymity because the discussions are confidential. The scheduled meetings signal that the F.T.C. is nearing a decision on whether to move forward with a lawsuit arguing that Amazon has violated antimonopoly laws. Such discussions are sometimes known as “last rites” meetings, after the prayers some Christians receive on their deathbed. As a $1.4 trillion behemoth, Amazon has turned into a major force in the economy.

Persons: Lina Khan, Rebecca Kelly Slaughter, Alvaro Bedoya Organizations: Federal Trade Commission, Amazon, Metro, Goldwyn, Mayer

☆ A charter flight pilot cited in a near collision with a JetBlue plane says he was told to wait — but in his mind, he was 'clear for takeoff'
▼ + stars: | 2023-08-04 | by ( Kai Xiang Teo | ) www.businessinsider.com time to read: +3 min

A charter pilot was cited for taking off without clearance, leading to a near-collision with a JetBlue plane. A charter pilot has been cited by the National Transportation Safety Board, or NTSB, for taking off without clearance — and nearly causing a collision with a JetBlue plane in Boston in February. Even so, the charter plane began its takeoff, narrowly missing a JetBlue flight about to land. The takeoff forced a JetBlue flight — that had previously been cleared to land on an intersecting runway — to abort its landing and perform a go-around. The JetBlue plane was an Embraer E90 and seats up to 114 passengers.

Persons: Alvaro Donado, Donado Organizations: JetBlue, NTSB, FAA, National Transportation Safety Board, Logan International Airport, Embraer, Federal Aviation Administration, Boeing Locations: Boston, Donado

☆ Costa Rica prosecutor opens case into president for 'influence peddling'
▼ + stars: | 2023-08-02 | by ( ) www.reuters.com time to read: +1 min

Costa Rica's President Rodrigo Chaves Robles attends the session "Leadership for Latin America" during the World Economic Forum (WEF) 2023 in Davos, Switzerland, January 18, 2023. REUTERS/Arnd Wiegmann/File PhotoSAN JOSE, Aug 1 (Reuters) - Costa Rica's top prosecutor has opened a case against President Rodrigo Chaves and various other government officials for allegations of "influence peddling," the Attorney General's office confirmed on Tuesday. The Attorney General's office said it could not comment further because the case was in a preliminary "private" stage. It is the prosecutor's second investigation involving Chaves in less than a month, following a July 17 probe over an alleged abuse of power. Reporting by Alvaro Murillo, Writing by Isabel Woodford; Editing by Valentine Hilaire and Christopher CushingOur Standards: The Thomson Reuters Trust Principles.

Persons: Costa, Rodrigo Chaves Robles, Arnd, Costa Rica's, Rodrigo Chaves, Leonel Baruch, Chaves, Alvaro Murillo, Isabel Woodford, Valentine Hilaire, Christopher Cushing Organizations: Economic, REUTERS, JOSE, Agence France, Presse, Thomson Locations: America, Davos, Switzerland, AFP

☆ Opinion: In tough times, Russia turns to a Cold War comrade
▼ + stars: | 2023-07-20 | by ( Opinion Jeremi Suri | ) edition.cnn.com time to read: +10 min

CNN —After decades of somewhat distant relations, Russia and Cuba are working closely together again — this time, as part of Vladimir Putin’s war in Ukraine. Cuba's Minister of Foreign Affairs, Bruno Rodriguez, and Russian Foreign Minister, Sergey Lavrov, meet in Havana on April 20, in a show of deepening ties between the countries. In addition to deepened connections with Russia, Cuba has allowed China to build a secret espionage facility on the island. Washington will respond to Russian military escalation in Cuba with its own escalating force, as it already has done with the recent deployment of a nuclear submarine. Military escalation around Cuba is a dangerous temptation for Russia and a difficult trap for the US.

Persons: Jeremi Suri, Mack Brown, America’s, Vladimir Putin’s, Jeremi Suri Korey Howell, Nikolai Patrushev, Igor Sechin, Rosneft, Sergey Lavrov, —, Manuel Marrero Cruz, Putin, Alvaro Lopéz Miera, Sergei Shoigu, Shoigu, ” Shoigu, ”, Gerardo Peñalver, Bruno Rodriguez, Ramon Espinosa, Miguel Diaz, Canel, Obama, White, Nikita Khrushchev, John F, Kennedy, Khrushchev, Biden, — Khrushchev Organizations: Leadership, Global Affairs, University of Texas, History Department, LBJ School, Democracy, CNN, Russian Security Council, Cuban, Russian, Cuba's, Foreign Affairs, Russian Foreign, Getty Images, year’s, Russian Navy, Caribbean Military, Trump, Biden, Soviets, Pentagon, US, USS, Cuban Ministry of Foreign Affairs, US Navy, West, Washington, Hulton, Getty, White, Republican, Russia, Ukraine, Twitter, Cuban Missile Locations: Austin, Russia, Cuba, Ukraine, Russian, Havana ., — Venezuela, Nicaragua, Moscow, Caribbean, Washington, Havana, Getty Images Cuba, America, China, Lourdes, USS Pasadena, Guantanamo, American, Soviet, West Berlin, Europe, Putin, Florida, Afghanistan, Turkey

☆ Drug onslaught pushes violence to record levels in Costa Rica: Security Minister
▼ + stars: | 2023-07-19 | by ( Alvaro Murillo | ) www.reuters.com time to read: +2 min

Costa Rica closed 2022 with a record 656 murders. In parts of Costa Rica, authorities are seeing violence synonymous with Mexican cartels like torture, gang killings, and assassinations carried out by highly trained hitmen. In May, Chaves named as security minister Zamora, who also held the post under the 2010-2014 presidency of Laura Chinchilla, and has a reputation for being tough on crime. Zamora said the situation was very different to when he was first security minister. The measures are due to be rolled out across Costa Rica by 2025.

Persons: We've, Mario Zamora, Costa, Rodrigo Chaves, Chaves, Zamora, Laura Chinchilla, Moin, Alvaro Murillo, Diego Ore, Sarah Kinosian, Stephen Coates Organizations: JOSE, Costa, Costa Rican Security, Reuters, Costa Ricans, Central American, Authorities, Thomson Locations: Colombia, Costa Rica, Costa Rican, Sinaloa, Central America, Europe, Costa Rica's, Limon, Costa

☆ Opinion | Do We Have a Right to Beauty?
▼ + stars: | 2023-07-15 | by ( Sushma Subramanian | ) www.nytimes.com time to read: +3 min

And as I’d always expected, it was more than that; beauty itself was an investment that could lead to more success. This is what I was thinking about when a nurse in the emergency room said that in some cases, they brought in a plastic surgeon. “Brazil has the best plastic surgeons in the world.” He reassured me the scarring would be minimal. Brazil, I learned, prides itself on its huge number of skilled plastic surgeons. There’s no denial that small changes we can make to our surfaces have profound influence on our quality of life and that beauty is often a means of gaining power.

Persons: I’d, Anika, ”, Carmen Alvaro Jarrín, Jarrín Organizations: “, ” Locations: “ Brazil, Brazil

☆ Cuba: A Russian navy ship docks in Havana as tough times bring the old friends together
▼ + stars: | 2023-07-13 | by ( Patrick Oppmann | ) edition.cnn.com time to read: +5 min

Havana, Cuba CNN —As a series of welcoming cannon blasts rang out from a nearby colonial fort, the Russian navy’s training class ship Perekop sailed into Havana on Tuesday. “We are condemning, we are rejecting, the expansion of NATO towards Russia’s borders,” Cuban President Miguel Diaz-Canel told Russian-controlled network, RT, in a rare interview in May. He also blasted US economic sanctions on Russia, while heralding Russian “projects of cooperation and collaboration” under development in Cuba. But following the collapse of the Soviet Union, Cuba lost its main trading partner and entered a deep economic depression. Despite the high cost of the war in Ukraine and economic sanctions, Russian officials say they are committed to Cuba.

Persons: Perekop, “, Miguel Diaz, Canel, Patrick Oppmann, Jorge R, –, Russia –, Yamil Lage, Barack Obama, Donald Trump, Joe Biden, Biden, ”, Ric Herrero, ” Herrero, “ There’s, ” Benjamin Ziff, Chargé d’Affaires, Sergey Shoigu, Alvaro Lopez Miera, ” Shoigu Organizations: Cuba CNN, Prensa Latina, Cuban, Soviet, NATO, CNN, University of Texas, Austin Energy Institute, Russian, Getty, Trump, Cuba Study, US Naval, Russian Defense Locations: Havana, Cuba, Russian, Soviet Union, Ukraine, Cuban, Moscow, Russia’s, Russia, USSR, AFP, Trump, Spanish, Guantánamo, East, West, “ Cuba

☆ Costa Rica charges former president Solis with corruption
▼ + stars: | 2023-07-07 | by ( ) www.reuters.com time to read: +1 min

SAN JOSE, July 6 (Reuters) - Costa Rica said on Thursday it has charged former President Luis Guillermo Solis with corruption, accusing him of involvement in a 2017 improper transfer of government funds to state-owned Bancredito. Solis, who governed between 2014 and 2018, denied the charges. "I categorically reject the charges that have been brought against me," the former center-left leader said in a video posted on Twitter. "I know I did not commit any crime," he said in a text message to Reuters. "This is a case that has already been prosecuted," he wrote in a text message, saying he would not comment further.

Persons: Luis Guillermo Solis, Solis, Helios Fallas, Sergio Alfaro, Alfaro, Fallas, Alvaro Murillo, Brendan O'Boyle, Edwina Gibbs, Clarence Fernandez Organizations: JOSE, Twitter, Reuters, Thomson Locations: Costa Rica

☆ The best places to eat in Andalusia — from a chef with three Michelin stars
▼ + stars: | 2023-07-06 | by ( Evelyn Chen | ) www.cnbc.com time to read: +4 min

The restaurant, located in the heart of the Bahia de Cadiz Natural Park, is helmed by Chef Angel Leon. Jerez: Bar MatyAccording to Leon, Bar Maty is arguably the "best bar in the world" to eat fried fish washed down with beer or wine. The stall serves churros finos (thin churros) and churros gordos (fat churros), which can be eaten with coffee or chocolate in one of the nearby bars. La Taberna del Chef del MarLocated at the original site where Leon founded Aponiente, La Taberna del Chef del Mar is an informal tavern in El Puerto de Santa Maria with convivial service by Leon himself. La Taberna del Chef del Mar serves "easy-going food with marine soul," according to its website.

Persons: Chef Angel Leon, Leon's, Alvaro Fernandez Prieto, Leon, Benito Gomez, Bardal's Benito Gomez, Bardal Gomez, Pedro Sanchez, Chateau, Martin Berasategui, quisquilla de, Jose Sanchez, Carlos, Paco Ruiz Salguero, Bar, Antonio Gonzalez, Churros, Salguero Venegas, churros, Mar, Aponiente, del Mar Organizations: Michelin, Baga, Casa Antonio, Chateau de, Marinos Jose Los Marinos Jose, Arcos, Frontera, Santa Maria, Santa Locations: Andalusia, Aponiente, Bahia, Cadiz, Spain, Ronda, Bardal, Catalan, Barcelona, Jaen, Casa, Chateau de Bagnols, Baga, Motril, Fuengirola, Costa del Sol, Rejas, Cardiz, Arcos de, White, Malaga, Buen, Jerez, Leon, El Puerto, Santa Maria, del

Now, in their next step to consolidate power, they are trying to manipulate the national elections that are underway. In anticipation of the 2023 elections, President Alejandro Giammattei packed the courts and the electoral tribunal with loyalists. The ruling regime and its allies then enlisted these entities to distort the Constitution and tamper with election procedures to tilt the political playing field in their favor. Many fear the ruling could pave the way for additional spurious challenges that could eventually overturn the results, delay the second round or exclude Mr. Arévalo from competing altogether. The cries of fraud echo those in the United States after President Biden’s 2020 victory, although, with the entire judicial system on their side, Guatemala’s election deniers stand a better chance of pulling it off.

Persons: ”, Alejandro Giammattei, Bernardo Arévalo, Sandra Torres, Arévalo, Biden’s Organizations: National Unity of Hope, Constitutional Locations: United States

CNN —Peruvian novelist and Nobel laureate Mario Vargas Llosa has been hospitalized in Madrid with Covid-19, his son said Monday. “In light of the interest by the news media in our father’s health, we make public that he has been hospitalized since Saturday after being diagnosed with Covid-19,” Alvaro Vargas Llosa tweeted on behalf of himself and his siblings, Gonzalo and Morgana Vargas Llosa. Vargas Llosa lives in Madrid and holds Spanish as well as Peruvian citizenship. Born in Arequipa, Peru in 1936, Vargas Llosa was brought up by his mother until his father reappeared and brought an authoritarian change to his life. As well as the hostile environment at home, Vargas Llosa lived through Peru’s political turmoil, which saw the rise of dictator Manuel Odría in 1948.

Persons: Mario Vargas Llosa, ” Alvaro Vargas Llosa, Gonzalo, Morgana Vargas Llosa, Vargas Llosa, Manuel Odría, ” Organizations: CNN Locations: Peruvian, Madrid, Covid, Arequipa, Peru, Spanish

[1/10] People attend to cast their vote at a polling station during the first round of Guatemala's presidential election in Chinautla, Guatemala, June 25, 2023. She is up against more than 20 other candidates, including Edmond Mulet, a career diplomat, and Zury Rios, daughter of the late dictator Efrain Rios Montt. "All the young people right now will have a role in politics in Guatemala in 20 years time ... "(The next) four years won't allow time to undo how poorly managed the government has been for so many years," said Andres Nolasco, a 25-year-old accountant from Guatemala City. Reporting by Sofía Menchú in Guatemala City and Diego Oré in Mexico City; Writing by Isabel Woodford; Editing by Daniel Wallis, Chizu Nomiyama and Chris ReeseOur Standards: The Thomson Reuters Trust Principles.

Persons: Sandra Torres, Edmond Mulet, Zury Rios, Efrain Rios Montt, Maximo Santacruz, Julio Valenzuela, Alejandro Giammattei, Carlos Pineda, Pineda, Carolina Jimenez, San Jose del Golfo, Irma Palencia, Andres Nolasco, Torres, Alvaro Colom, Sofía Menchú, Diego Oré, Isabel Woodford, Daniel Wallis, Chizu Nomiyama, Chris Reese Organizations: REUTERS, GUATEMALA CITY, Young, European Union, Washington, Central American, Thomson Locations: Chinautla, Guatemala, Josue, GUATEMALA, United States, America, WOLA, San Jose, Guatemala City, Mexico City

☆ Guatemala will vote for new president but critics say many anti-corruption candidates were weeded out
▼ + stars: | 2023-06-24 | by ( Tara John | ) edition.cnn.com time to read: +9 min

One of the expelled candidates, the rightwing Roberto Arzú, was a vocal critic of President Alejandro Giammattei. Employees of the Supreme Electoral Tribunal (TSE) arrange ahead of the general elections in Guatemala City on June 20, 2023. Johan Ordonez/AFP/Getty ImagesIt’s not the first time that Guatemala’s electoral tribunal eliminates presidential hopefuls, but this year’s cycle is happening in rapidly shrinking civic space. Failing battle against corruptionRights groups say graft and impunity accelerated in the country after former President Jimmy Morales dissolved a United Nations-backed anti-corruption commission in 2019. The candidatesThe US and Western allies have raised concerns about the exclusion of presidential candidates in Guatemala.

Persons: CNN —, Sandra Torres, Thelma Cabrera, Carlos Pineda –, ” Will Freeman, Roberto Arzú, Alejandro Giammattei, Cabrera, Pineda, Tik Tok, ”, Johan Ordonez, we’ve, Caren, Jimmy Morales, Consuelo Porras Argueta, Antony Blinken, José Rubén Zamora, Moises Castillo, Porras, –, Kevin López, Giammattei, Freeman, Biden, “, ” Freeman, Western Hemisphere Affairs Brian Nichols, Guatemalans, Maria Consuelo Porras, Mulet, Carin, Edmont, Ríos, Torres, Rios, El, Nayib Bukele, Álvaro Colom, Colom, Efraín Ríos Montt, CICIG Organizations: CNN, Council, Foreign Relations, Twitter, “ Corruption, Constitutional, ” CNN, Getty, Americas Society, United, International Commission, Washington Office, Guatemala Human Rights, USA, Prosecutors, US, State, José Rubén Zamora –, . Press, Patrol, Western Hemisphere Affairs, Public Ministry, United Nations, Agence, France Presse, Analysts Locations: Central America’s, Guatemala, America, Guatemala City, Americas, United Nations, Guatemalan, Central America, American, Washington, United States, Haiti, Nicaragua, France

☆ Guatemalan ex-first lady Torres polls first in crowded field ahead of Sunday vote
▼ + stars: | 2023-06-22 | by ( ) www.reuters.com time to read: +1 min

GUATEMALA CITY, June 22 (Reuters) - Former Guatemalan first lady Sandra Torres leads her competitors in the Central American country's presidential race, according to a poll published Thursday by newspaper Prensa Libre, the last before Sunday's election. Diplomat Edmond Mulet trailed Torres with 13.4% support, followed by Zury Rios, the daughter of former dictator Efrain Rios Montt, at 9.1%. Torres, a well-known but polarizing figure, finished first in the first round of Guatemala's 2019 election, but lost to current President Alejandro Giammattei in a runoff. If no candidate earns 50% of the vote on Sunday, the top two will compete in a runoff on Aug. 20. Reporting by Sofia Menchu; Writing by Brendan O'Boyle; Editing by Hugh LawsonOur Standards: The Thomson Reuters Trust Principles.

Persons: Sandra Torres, Torres, Alvaro Colom, Edmond Mulet, Zury Rios, Efrain Rios Montt, Alejandro Giammattei, Giammattei, Carlos Pineda, Sofia Menchu, Brendan O'Boyle, Hugh Lawson Organizations: GUATEMALA CITY, Central American, Prensa Libre, Torres, Electoral, Washington Office, Thomson Locations: GUATEMALA, Guatemalan, America

☆ World Bank green lights $500 mln loan to boost Costa Rica's budget
▼ + stars: | 2023-06-17 | by ( ) www.reuters.com time to read: +1 min

SAN JOSE, June 16 (Reuters) - The World Bank approved a new $500 million loan to Costa Rica aimed at strengthening support for the government's budget, according to a statement from the international lender released on Friday. The loan will support the Central American country's post-pandemic efforts to grow employment and wages and assist small and medium-sized companies. "While Costa Rica has made much progress in the environmental, economic, and social spheres, the reduction of poverty and inequality remains an ongoing challenge," Carine Clert, World Bank country manager for El Salvador and Costa Rica, said in a statement announcing the new financing package. The 19.5 year loan includes a four-year grace period, with an interest rate based on the Secured Overnight Financing Rate (SOFR) plus a variable margin in U.S. dollars, the statement added. Reporting by Alvaro Murillo; Writing by Valentine Hilaire; Editing by David Alire GarciaOur Standards: The Thomson Reuters Trust Principles.

Persons: Alvaro Murillo, Valentine Hilaire, David Alire Garcia Organizations: JOSE, World Bank, Central American, Bank, El, Thomson Locations: Costa Rica, El Salvador

☆ World Bank green lights $500 million loan to boost Costa Rica's budget
▼ + stars: | 2023-06-17 | by ( ) www.reuters.com time to read: +1 min

Persons: Alvaro Murillo, Valentine Hilaire, David Alire Garcia Organizations: JOSE, World Bank, Central American, Bank, El, Thomson Locations: Costa Rica, El Salvador

☆ Photos show what it's like to be a clam digger in Spain, a profession that's passed down generations and takes about 3 hours a day, 15 days a month
▼ + stars: | 2023-06-03 | by ( Alvaro Barrientos | Associated Press | ) www.businessinsider.com time to read: 1 min

Other collectors don neoprene waterproofs or river-fishing clothing and wade waist-deep into the cold waters further out in the inlet. Clam diggers Bea Moledo, Ana Abreu and Marisol Rodriguez, from left, look for clams in the estuary of Lourizan, in Galicia, northern Spain, Tuesday, April 18, 2023. AP Photo/Alvaro BarrientosThey use a rake linked to a metal cage to scrape and sift the sand from the seabed before bringing up the catch.

Persons: neoprene, Bea Moledo, Ana Abreu, Marisol Rodriguez, Alvaro Barrientos Organizations: AP Locations: Lourizan, Galicia, Spain

☆ Greetings From ‘Mexicoland’
▼ + stars: | 2023-06-01 | by ( Héctor Tobar | Deb Leal | ) www.nytimes.com time to read: +2 min

A stroll through the shopping center reminds you that Latin American culture can be monumental, beautiful and heroic. García, 64, told me that he and his brother have operated their stand at Plaza Mexico for a dozen years. Somehow, his Plaza Mexico stand survived the pandemic. In some ways, Plaza Mexico is a Latino version of that story, told by those who were long excluded from what the state has to offer. Here, I’ve seen how a new, American way of being “Latino” is being assembled from contact with many different cultures.

Persons: Alvaro García, “, ”, García, I’ve, Alec Stewart Organizations: Plaza Mexico, Easy, ” Boosters, Southern Locations: Central, Spanish, United States, Oaxaca, Mexico, California, Lynwood, Southern California, Plaza Mexico, Korean, Seoul

The FTC settlements are the agency's latest effort to hold Big Tech accountable for policies critics say place profits ahead of privacy. In its complaint against Amazon.com filed in Washington state, the FTC said that it violated rules protecting children's privacy and rules against deceiving consumers who used Alexa. In one instance in 2017, an employees of Ring viewed videos made by at least 81 female customers and Ring employees using Ring products. As part of the FTC agreement with Ring, which spans 20 years, Ring is required to disclose to customers how much access to their data the company and its contractors have. In February 2019, Ring changed its policies so that most Ring employees or contractors could only access a customer’s private video with that person’s consent.

Persons: Alvaro Bedoya, Diane Bartz, David Shepardson, Anna Driver Organizations: Federal Trade Commission, Amazon, FTC, Big Tech, Thomson Locations: Seattle, Washington

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