Accredited Third States
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Responding to Protests, Brazil’s Leader Proposes Changes to System
SÃO PAULO, Brazil — President Dilma Rousseff of Brazil proposed a series of bold changes to the country’s political system on Monday, including convening a constituent assembly apparently aimed at overhauling Congress and campaign-finance methods, in an effort to assuage the concerns of protesters who have stunned the nation this month with their anti-establishment demonstrations. In detailing her plans, Ms.…
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Brazil’s protesters sick of corruption
It’s an odd spectacle. Traditionally, Brazilians take to the streets only during Carnival. Now they do it to protest. What has happened? It all started after the fares for public transportation were raised, but that was just an excuse. There was more to it. The profound truth is that much of society is tired of corruption, impunity, the intricate bureaucracy…
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US Coast Guard rescues Haitian fishermen
MIAMI, CMC – The United States Coast Guard says it has rescued five Haitian fishermen aboard a disabled vessel that had been drifting in the waters off northern Haiti. A brief Coast Guard statement said officials were notified that the vessel had been found in the area of Canal de Tortue and contrary to earlier reports, there were five fishermen…
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Despite Assurances by Brazil’s President, Another Day of Demonstrations
SÃO PAULO, Brazil — Another round of demonstrations unfolded in cities throughout Brazil on Saturday, after many in the country’s sweeping protest movement angrily dismissed an effort by President Dilma Rousseff to address their broad demands. The protests largely lacked the intensity of those in previous days, particularly Thursday, when more than a million Brazilians took to the streets to…
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US resumes migration talks with Cuba
WASHINGTON, CMC – The United States says it will resume migration talks with Cuba after a long suspension. “Continuing to ensure secure migration between the US and Cuba is consistent with our interests in promoting greater freedoms and increased respect for human rights in Cuba,” said US Department of State spokesman William Ostick in a statement. Ostick said that US…
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Mandela in critical condition
JOHANNESBURG (AP): Nelson Mandela was up to last night listed in critical condition after the South African government announced a deterioration in his health. The office of President Jacob Zuma said in a statement that he had visited the 94-year-old anti-apartheid leader at a hospital Sunday evening and was informed by the medical team that Mandela's condition had become critical…
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Sweeping Protests in Brazil Pull In an Array of Grievances
SÃO PAULO, Brazil — Just a few weeks ago, Mayara Vivian felt pretty good when a few hundred people showed up for a protest she helped organize to deride the government over a proposed bus fare increase. She had been trying to prod Brazilians into the streets since 2005, when she was only 15, and by now she thought she…
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Protests in Brazil
GEORGETOWN, Guyana – There is not a lot in Brazil that is more important than football but on Wednesday, not even Brazil’s victory over Mexico in the Confederation Cup could divert attention from the wave of protests that have shaken the country this week. Indeed, the news that the authorities of Brazil’s largest cities, São Paulo and Rio de Janeiro,…
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Former diplomat welcomes Canada’s deployment of peace keeping troops in Haiti
OTTAWA, Canada, CMC – A former Canadian ambassador to the United Nations, Paul Heinbecker, has welcomed the decision to send Canadian troops to Haiti as part of the peacekeeping mission on the French-speaking Caribbean Community (CARICOM) country. “I think this is a gesture that is positive and helpful and will be seen positively, although 34 soldiers isn't going to change…
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Syria a complicated proxy war for U.S.
In Syria, the Obama administration seems to be stumbling back to the future: An old-fashioned proxy war, complete with the usual shadowy CIA arms-running operation, the traditional plan to prop up ostensible “moderates” whose prospects are doubtful and, of course, the customary shaky grasp of what the fighting is really about. This will not end well. It is tragic that…
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