Philippines releases journalist on bail after arrest sparks global outcry
The head of a Philippine news website that has locked horns with President Rodrigo Duterte was freed on bail on Thursday, a day after her widely condemned arrest on libel charges that critics say is a government effort to bully journalists.
Virgin’s Branson plans humanitarian aid concert on Venezuela border
Richard Branson is organizing a concert to raise funds for a humanitarian aid effort for crisis-stricken Venezuela to be held in the Colombian border city of Cucuta next week, the British billionaire said in a video on social media.
Venezuela’s Maduro ramps up legal fight against Guaido’s challenge
Venezuelan President Nicolas Maduro’s government stepped up a legal battle against efforts to oust him on Thursday, while the opposition said the international community had pledged more than $100 million in humanitarian aid for the country.
Brazil vice president calls on Bolsonaro to rein in sons
Brazilian Vice President Hamilton Mourao said on Thursday that the president will have to rein in his sons after one of them called a minister a liar on social media, exacerbating tensions in a new government dealing with its first big cabinet scandal….
More Brexit embarrassment for May as parliament defeats her again
Prime Minister Theresa May suffered a defeat on her Brexit strategy on Thursday that undermined her pledge to European Union leaders to get her divorce deal approved if they grant her concessions.
Security forces round up protesters in central Khartoum: witnesses
Security forces rounded up some 30 people on Thursday as they dispersed protesters close to Sudan’s presidential palace calling on President Omar al-Bashir to quit, witnesses said.
Vale’s safety measures have not worked, CEO says as woes grow
Brazilian miner Vale’s safety procedures have not worked, the company’s chief executive said on Thursday, responding to questions from lawmakers after one of the company’s dams collapsed last month with the loss of hundreds of lives.
Brazil’s Bolsonaro confronts cabinet scandal as pension debate nears
Brazilian President Jair Bolsonaro is confronting the most serious cabinet controversy of his young government as he met with ministers on Thursday to make final changes to a proposed social security overhaul seen as essential to shoring up the economy…
Brazil pension form bill headed to Congress on Feb. 20: official
Brazilian President Jair Bolsonaro’s pension reform proposal will go to Congress on Feb. 20 and propose a minimum retirement age of 65 years for men and 62 years for women, Brazil’s pensions secretary said on Thursday.
Slovak assembly fails to pick top judge candidates, plunging court into crisis
Slovakia’s lawmakers on Thursday failed to pick any candidates for seats on the constitutional court, rendering the country’s top judicial institution largely unworkable when the majority of current members steps down on Saturday.
