Lightning broke a finger off the already-damaged right hand of Brazil's Christ the Redeemer statue.Source: AA

Lightning breaks finger off Rio's Christ

Nicaragua: Ortega allowed to

run for third successive term

Ortega (left) was welcomed by Cuban President Raul Castro, who is hosting a summit of Latin American and Caribbean leaders in Havana

World Cup Arena das Dunas Stadium Opens in Natal

Natal stadium finally opens but celebrations are marred by violence and protests.

By Robbie Blakeley, Senior Contributing Reporter

RIO DE JANEIRO, BRAZIL – The Arena das Dunas stadium in Natal was officially opened this past weekend after a delay of around a month. Yet the good news was marred by more protests and arrests as factions of the public continue to make their feelings clear about Brazil’s hosting of the FIFA World Cup.

LATIN AMERICA & CARIBBEAN

9 January 2014 Last updated at 13:42 ET

Cuban ex-leader Fidel Castro in rare public appearance

Cuba's former President Fidel Castro has appeared in public for the first time in nine months.

Mr Castro, 87, attended the opening of an art studio in the capital, Havana, on Wednesday night.

LATIN AMERICA & CARIBBEAN

9 January 2014 Last updated at 06:20 ET

Colombia blocks Drummond coal loading after rule breach

Colombia has ordered US-based coal producer Drummond to stop loading coal in Colombian ports until the company complies with new environmental rules.

Under the regulations, coal exporters will no longer be allowed to use barges and cranes to load ships.

The rules are aimed at preventing spillage and pollution of the seas.

Monsanto seed plant construction halted in Argentina

Photo by ECOS Cordoba

Published time: January 09, 2014 03:58

Share on The three judge court ruled 2-1 in favor of the activists who filed a legal appeal against Monsanto’s GMO seed plant on environmental protection grounds in the municipality of Malvinas Argentinas, located in central Cordoba Province.A labor appeals court in north-central Argentina ruled that the construction of a Monsanto plant is unconstitutional, halting work on the site
.

“We have filed a criminal complaint to inform the prosecutor of certain irregularities in violation of environmental law that have occurred in the heart of the Ministry of the Environment which is involved with authorizations of projects,” attorney Raúl Montenegro told Revolution News.

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Holiday rush at Mexico City’s hangover prison

By Joshua Partlow, Published: December 26

MEXICO CITY — On the way home from a pre-Christmas fiesta, Mauricio Rodriguez, after “two tequilas,” felt clear-headed and focused, “not dizzy or anything.”
So when the IT help desk employee failed one of Mexico City’s feared alcoholímetros — those pervasive breath tests at holiday checkpoints — he knew he would be saying goodbye for a while. No ticket. No warning. “Come get my wife,” he told his father by phone before being whisked off in a squad car. “They’re taking me away.”

Bird Flu Cited by Officials in Death in Canada

By IAN AUSTENJAN. 8, 2014

OTTAWA — Canada’s health minister said Wednesday that a person in Alberta died this week of the bird flu virus, the first known fatality from the illness in North America.

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Venezuela outraged by murder of a former beauty queen

By Nick Miroff, Wednesday, January 8, 5:55 PM

CARACAS, Venezuela — Venezuelans kill each other by the tens of thousands every year, making this South American nation one of the world’s most violent.
But the slaying of former Miss Venezuela Monica Spear at the hands of roadside bandits Monday night has shaken this country like no other recent crime. Beauty queens are as revered here as top athletes and movie stars, and the government of President Nicolás Maduro is scrambling to contain the public outrage.
Disgusted Venezuelans berated the government on social media and in street protests Wednesday, while Maduro summoned the country’s governors and big-city mayors to an emergency meeting in the capital.

AMERICAS

Prison Violence Brings Scrutiny to State in Brazil

By SIMON ROMERO JAN. 8, 2014

SÃO PAULO, Brazil — A series of violent episodes at an overcrowded

prison, and video showing inmates gloating over three decapitation victims

during a riot there in December, are focusing scrutiny on the deteriorating

security situation in Maranhão State, the bastion of one of Brazil’s most

powerful political families.

Nearly 60 inmates were killed in 2013 at the Pedrinhas prison in

Maranhão, an impoverished state governed by Roseana Sarney, the

daughter of former President José Sarney. A judge investigating conditions

at Pedrinhas said in December that the leaders of criminal gangs operating

in the prison were raping inmates’ wives during conjugal visits.

Security forces tried to assert control at the end of December,

prompting a brutal response by some inmates, who apparently ordered

retaliatory attacks on Friday outside the prison walls. Gunfire was sprayed

at a police station and at least four buses were burned in the state capital,

São Luís. A 6-year-old girl who was aboard one of the buses died from

burn injuries.

LATIN AMERICA & CARIBBEAN

4 January 2014 Last updated at 19:58 ET

Brazil: Criminal gangs set buses alight in Sao Luis

Criminal gangs in Brazil have set fire to four buses and attacked a police station in the north-eastern city of Sao Luis, authorities say.

They say the order for the attack came from gang leaders arrested at the notorious Pedrinhas penitentiary, where at least 59 inmates died last year.

"The attacks are in reaction to recent measures to curb jail violence," said the Maranhao state government.

A six-year-old girl who was inside one of the buses suffered severe burns.