Latin America News Headlines - Yahoo! News CA

Denis Oswald becomes 5th candidate in race for IOC presidency

Fri, 24 May 2013 13:39:12 -0400

LONDON - The race for the IOC presidency is getting crowded, with Switzerland's Denis Oswald becoming the fifth declared candidate to succeed Jacques Rogge.

Organizers cancel 19th Giro stage due to snow, leaving only 1 more difficult stage for Nibali

Fri, 24 May 2013 11:56:33 -0400

PONTE DI LEGNO, Italy - The 19th stage of the Giro d'Italia was cancelled Friday because of snow along the route and Saturday's penultimate stage was altered for the same reasons, leaving Vincenzo Nibali with a much milder finish to defend his lead.

Giro stage called off after heavy snow overnight

Fri, 24 May 2013 10:41:40 -0400

By Alasdair Fotheringham PONTE DI LEGNO, Italy (Reuters) - Heavy snow forced Giro d'Italia organizers to call off Friday's mountainous stage 19 from Ponte di Legno to Val Martello. "Due to adverse weather conditions and, in particular, snow on the stage route in its entirety, stage 19...has been cancelled," race organizers RCS Sport said in a news release on Friday. Poor weather had already led RCS to make changes to the stage-19 route on Thursday, cancelling two of the three major mountain climbs, the Gavia and Stelvio, but they had hoped to retain the final ascent to Val Martello. ...

Mike Duffy says he wants to give Canadians 'the whole story'

Fri, 24 May 2013 06:35:56 -0400

Senator Mike Duffy says he wants a "full and open" inquiry so Canadians can get all the facts about the scandal that has rocked the Senate and the Prime Minister's Office and that he has no plans to resign.

Canadian businessman goes on trial in Cuba for corruption

Thu, 23 May 2013 21:31:49 -0400

By Marc Frank HAVANA (Reuters) - A Cuban court on Thursday wrapped up the first day of testimony in the graft trial of a Canadian businessman whose prosecution is part of a corruption crackdown that has shaken the country's foreign business community. The trial of Sarkis Yacoubian, originally from Armenia and the owner of import firm Tri-Star Caribbean, was expected to end on Friday. An associate of Yacoubian, Lebanese citizen Krikor Bayassalian, is a co-defendant. Canada's ambassador to Cuba, Matthew Levin, attended the trial but did not speak to reporters. ...

Could have accepted chief of staff's resignation sooner, Harper admits

Thu, 23 May 2013 21:26:10 -0400

OTTAWA - Prime Minister Stephen Harper acknowledged for the first time Thursday that "perhaps" he could have responded more quickly to the news that his trusted chief of staff had footed the $90,000 bill for Sen. Mike Duffy's disallowed housing expenses.

Obama defends drones but seeks to move US beyond war years, outlining narrower terror threat

Thu, 23 May 2013 21:19:51 -0400

WASHINGTON - President Barack Obama sought to move the U.S. beyond the war effort of the past dozen years, defining a narrower terror threat from smaller networks and homegrown extremists rather than the grandiose plots of Osama bin Laden's al-Qaida.

Palmer takes control with a 62 at Colonial

Thu, 23 May 2013 20:00:48 -0400

(Reuters) - American Ryan Palmer took advantage of ideal scoring conditions and local knowledge with a birdie fest as he charged into a one-shot lead in Thursday's opening round of the Crowne Plaza Invitational in Fort Worth, Texas. The 36-year-old Texan piled up eight birdies on the way to a flawless eight-under-par 62 on a relatively calm morning at iconic Colonial Country Club, matching the lowest first round ever recorded at the long established PGA Tour event. ...

CA-NEWS Summary

Thu, 23 May 2013 19:54:53 -0400

Syrian opposition scrambles to save credibility ahead of peace talks ISTANBUL (Reuters) - The Syrian opposition in exile met on Thursday to decide whether to attend a peace conference that the United States and Russia see as a crucial path to ending two years of civil war. Under international pressure to swiftly resolve internal divisions, the Syrian National Coalition began talks in Istanbul to elect a coherent leadership and decide on the conference which could take place in Geneva in the coming weeks. ...

Duffy says he wants to give Canadians "full story"

Thu, 23 May 2013 19:44:12 -0400

Obama shifts US from 'perpetual war-footing,' limits drone strikes

Thu, 23 May 2013 19:38:32 -0400

By Matt Spetalnick and Roberta Rampton WASHINGTON (Reuters) - President Barack Obama on Thursday shifted the United States away from a "boundless global war on terror," restricting deadly drone strikes abroad and signaling that America's long struggle against al Qaeda will one day end. In a major policy speech, Obama narrowed the scope of the U.S. targeted-killing campaign against al Qaeda and its allies and took new steps toward closing the Guantanamo Bay military prison - controversial elements of the U.S. counterterrorism fight that have drawn condemnation at home and abroad. ...

Too soon to decide whether to join Pacific Alliance: Stephen Harper

Thu, 23 May 2013 19:21:54 -0400

CALI, Colombia - Prime Minister Stephen Harper says it is too soon to decide whether Canada should join the Pacific Alliance trade bloc in its mission to deepen economic integration.

CA-SPORTS Summary

Thu, 23 May 2013 19:14:25 -0400

James and Bryant headline All-NBA selections (Reuters) - Most Valuable Player LeBron James of the Miami Heat and veteran Kobe Bryant of the Los Angeles Lakers headlined the list of players selected for the All-NBA team, the league said on Thursday. Kevin Durant of the Oklahoma City Thunder, Tim Duncan of the San Antonio Spurs and Chris Paul of the Los Angeles Clippers joined James and Bryant on the first team. Foyt and Sato form sweet and sour Indy partnership INDIANAPOLIS (Reuters) - They are the Indianapolis 500's odd couple. Crusty team owner A.J. ...

Free T-shirts, other non-cash incentives can up blood donations, study finds

Thu, 23 May 2013 18:18:09 -0400

TORONTO - Maybe offering straight cash for a blood donation is a no-no, but research suggests that other incentives like free T-shirts and gift cards can boost donor rates without compromising the safety of the blood supply.

Dorel set to dip toe in retail bike business with N.Y. concept store

Thu, 23 May 2013 17:43:35 -0400

MONTREAL - Dorel Industries is dipping its toe in the retail bicycle business by opening a concept store on the outskirts of New York City.

Young Toronto FC midfielder Jonathan Osorio gets first call-up for national team

Thu, 23 May 2013 17:10:13 -0400

TORONTO - Prior to training camp this season, young midfielder Jonathan Osorio was just hoping to catch on with Toronto FC.

Stores shut, schools close amid curfew by Rio drug dealers

Thu, 23 May 2013 16:41:40 -0400

By Paulo Prada RIO DE JANEIRO (Reuters) - Drug traffickers in Rio de Janeiro ordered shops closed in one of its biggest slums early Thursday, defying efforts to restore order to the city's vast shantytowns and renewing safety concerns in Brazil as it prepares to host the World Cup and Olympics. Shops were shuttered and more than 5,400 children were turned away from school Thursday morning after traffickers, shouting from motorcycles, ordered a curfew following a shootout with police late Wednesday that killed a drug dealer. ...

Obama lifts ban on the transfer of Guantanamo detainees to Yemen

Thu, 23 May 2013 14:55:47 -0400

WASHINGTON - President Barack Obama says he is lifting his ban on the transfer of detainees from the Guantanamo Bay, Cuba, detention centre to Yemen. And he is calling on Congress to lift its restrictions on detainee transfers, including limits on imprisoning them within the U.S.

AP Interview: Rogge says wrestling has 'reacted well' in bid to save Olympic status

Thu, 23 May 2013 14:20:09 -0400

LONDON - Wrestling's governing body has "reacted well" and made the necessary changes to give the sport a chance of saving its place in the Olympics, IOC President Jacques Rogge said.

Tories, MHA bear brunt of Bell Island ferry frustrations

Thu, 23 May 2013 06:40:31 -0400

The MHA who represents Bell Island says the ferry service is in a "crisis," although residents tell a forum they've known that for years.

Taiwan's Wu confirms he'll enter running to become International Olympic Committee president

Thu, 23 May 2013 04:58:14 -0400

TAIPEI, Taiwan - C. K. Wu of Taiwan has confirmed he's running for president of the International Olympic Committee, becoming the fourth candidate and the second from Asia bidding to replace Jacques Rogge.

UN forecasts slow global growth in 2013; austerity hurts Europe, US spending cuts a risk

Thu, 23 May 2013 00:04:55 -0400

Global economic growth is projected to gain slow momentum for the rest of the year, a United Nations economic forecast said Thursday.

Harper 'not consulted' about Duffy Senate expense repayment

Wed, 22 May 2013 22:37:42 -0400

Prime Minister Stephen Harper says that not only did he not know about his chief of staff's "gift" to repay Senator Mike Duffy's expenses before the story broke in the media, he was not consulted and did not sign off on Nigel Wright's decision to write a personal cheque.

Person with knowledge of decision says Krzyzewski returning to coach US men's Olympic team

Wed, 22 May 2013 20:22:10 -0400

Mike Krzyzewski had decided to remain coach of the U.S. men's Olympic basketball team.

Argentine leader raises cash handouts 35 per cent, to include 700,000 more children

Wed, 22 May 2013 18:28:12 -0400

BUENOS AIRES, Argentina - Argentina's president has announced increases of as much as 35 per cent in cash handouts to the poor, students, pregnant women and retirees.

Harper visit to Peru targets better use of mining royalties to alleviate poverty

Wed, 22 May 2013 16:18:01 -0400

LIMA, Peru - Canadian mining companies hope that Stephen Harper's visit to Peru will lead to better use of the billions in royalties and taxes that are sitting idle in a country where poverty is still a large problem.

Canada faces key rugby summer schedule, with World Cup qualifier looming in August

Wed, 22 May 2013 14:52:43 -0400

Coach Kieran Crowley and the Canadian rugby team are about to embark on a key summer, one that will sorely test their resources and ultimately determine whether Canada returns to the Rugby World Cup.

Sacre bleu! Proposal to legalize English-language courses at French universities stirs debate

Wed, 22 May 2013 11:33:01 -0400

PARIS - In France, there's a brewing debate over whether to speak anglais in universite.

Puerto Rico's Richard Carrion announces candidacy for IOC president

Wed, 22 May 2013 09:39:04 -0400

LONDON - Richard Carrion of Puerto Rico entered the IOC presidential race Wednesday, promising to use his business experience to guide the Olympics through the world's troubled financial times and proposing to deploy IOC staff permanently in host cities to help organize the games.

Officials say more evidence being gathered as Benghazi suspects remain under surveillance

Wed, 22 May 2013 03:18:51 -0400

WASHINGTON - Five men are under round-the-clock U.S. surveillance in Libya, wanted for questioning in the attack last year on the diplomatic mission in Benghazi, Libya. The White House believes there is enough proof for a military force to seize them as terrorist suspects, officials say, but prefers to wait until investigators have enough evidence to try them in a U.S. civilian courtroom.

Bolivia lashes out at Sean Penn for proposing boycott of Dakar Rally over detained American

Tue, 21 May 2013 17:52:02 -0400

LA PAZ, Bolivia - Bolivia's culture minister calls it actor-activist Sean Penn's "worst performance" ever. He isn't talking about a movie.

Struggling Spain urges Brazil to take in jobless engineers

Tue, 21 May 2013 15:29:23 -0400

BRASILIA, Brazil - Spain's development minister is urging Brazil to hire some of the engineers that her own economy doesn't have room for.

Ex-Ford Motors executives charged in tortures of union workers during Argentina's dictatorship

Tue, 21 May 2013 15:22:20 -0400

BUENOS AIRES, Argentina - Three former Ford Motor Co. executives have been charged with crimes against humanity in Argentina for allegedly targeting union workers for kidnapping and torture after the country's 1976 military coup.

Healthy Hollywood: Try It On Tuesday - Memorial Day BBQ Recipes!

Tue, 21 May 2013 14:34:33 -0400

Just in time for your Memorial Day BBQ, "Top Chef" alum Sam Talbot shares his grilling recipes that will turn you into a culinary rock star.

Tweeting with the enemy? US diplomat uses social media to engage Cuban critics of Washington

Tue, 21 May 2013 14:11:16 -0400

HAVANA - The meeting on a sunny Havana square was a little bit revolutionary for Cuba's revolution. And for U.S. diplomacy as well.

United Technologies CEO optimistic about improving economy, airline industry

Tue, 21 May 2013 14:08:01 -0400

HARTFORD, Conn. - The chief executive of aerospace giant United Technologies Corp. is optimistic about an improving economy and airline industry.

Harper leaves behind political storm in Ottawa, heads south for trade talks

Tue, 21 May 2013 13:16:57 -0400

OTTAWA - Canadians will have to wait until Wednesday to hear Prime Minister Stephen Harper answer questions about the Senate expenses scandal.

UK luxury goods company Burberry's profit hit by end of perfume licensing deal

Tue, 21 May 2013 13:00:07 -0400

LONDON - British luxury brand Burberry said Tuesday that rapidly improving business in developing markets was offset by the end of a perfume licensing deal, dragging net profit down 3 per cent for the year.

PM's South America trip turns focus from turmoil to trade

Tue, 21 May 2013 10:53:20 -0400

Prime Minister Stephen Harper left today for South America for four days of bilateral talks and trade meetings, after addressing his caucus over the growing Senate expense controversy.

Internet analyst: Fiber-optic cable branch from Cuba to Jamaica now carrying traffic

Tue, 21 May 2013 10:47:16 -0400

HAVANA - A company that monitors global Internet traffic says another branch of the Venezuela-to-Cuba undersea fiber-optic cable has come online, connecting the island to nearby Jamaica.