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Chagas disease: New AIDS of the Americas can cause victims hearts to explode
The new AIDS? A parasitic illness called Chagas disease has been dubbed the 'new AIDS of the Americas' by experts. It is usually transmitted from the bite of blood-sucking insect species called Triatome bugs, which include 'Kissing bugs' (Triatomids)
A little-known life-threatening illness caused by blood sucking insects has been labelled the ‘new AIDS of the Americas’ by experts.
The...
Peru declares state of emergency over anti-mining protests
Police officers clash with anti-mining protesters in Andahuaylas, Peru on November 10, 2011.
The Peruvian government has declared a state of emergency in southern Espinar province to curb seven days of violent anti-mining protests in the highland region.
The 30-day state of emergency was imposed after two people were killed and scores more, including police officers, were injured in clashes over controversial...
Mayan relic says 2012 not End of the World
Aztec Calendar, an adaptation of the Mayan calendar, consisted of a 365-day agricultural calendar, as well as a 260-day sacred calendar. (This is a digital composite. Color added for visibility.)
The discovery in a Guatemala jungle of a previously unknown version of the Mayan calendar offers humankind a ray of hope: the world is not going to end on December 21, 2012 and could most probably last for...
Mysterious animal deaths in Peru
Warming of water may be the cause of death for animals in Peru… at least 1,500 birds, mostly pelicans, and 877 dolphins died in the last two weeks…
Peruvian authorities have advised people to avoid several beaches and not to eat fish after the mysterious death of hundreds of dolphins and pelicans in recent weeks.
“The Executive Director of Environmental Health has determined that...
Venezuela’s President Chavez on wheelchair due to femur fracture
Venezuela’s President Hugo Chavez
A Venezuelan journalist says President Hugo Chavez has been forced to use a wheelchair due to severe pain caused by a fracture in his femur and his spreading cancer.
The pro-opposition Venezuelan columnist and radio talk-show host, Nelson Bocaranda, reported this week that Chavez got a fracture in his femur during his radiotherapy in Cuba.
Spending most of the last...
Bolivia nationalizes Spanish power company
Bolivian President Evo Morales
Bolivian President Evo Morales has nationalized a Spanish power company and ordered its seizure.
On Tuesday, Morales issued the order nationalizing Transportadora de Electricidad SA (TDE), which is a subsidiary of the Spanish group Red Electrica Corporacion, AFP reported.
Bolivia will now take control of 99.94 percent of the company.
The company, which was privatized...
Venezuelan president flies back to Havana for radiation therapy
Venezuelan President Hugo Chavez during a reunion with government members in Miraflores Presidential Palace in Caracas on April 11, 2012.
Venezuelan President Hugo Chavez has flown back to Cuba for another round of radiation therapy for his cancer, few days after undergoing same treatment there.
“I must return (…) to Havana,” he said in a message broadcast on radio and television...
Argentineans back president over YPF decision
A rally has been held to back Argentine president for her decision to expropriate 51 percent stake in energy company YPF from its controlling shareholder, Spain’s Repsol, Press TV reports.
Ruling party top officials and lawmakers joined the rally on Friday at Velez soccer stadium in Buenos Aires, where demonstrators waved national flags.
“When I announced I was sending this project to the congress,...
Former Brazilian club employee plans to sue US embassy
A former Brazilian club employee plans to file a lawsuit against the US embassy in Brasilia and five of its personnel for injuries she sustained from the US authorities late last year.
Romilda Aparecida Ferreira says she was run over on December 29, 2011 by an American embassy driver, who was dispatched to the club to pick up three US marines and one civilian staffer.
Little was noticed about the...
Mexico launches investigation into Wal-Mart bribery scandal
The Mexican unit of retail-giant Wal-Mart, Walmex, is accused of bribing Mexican officials in an attempt to obtain permits for expansion of its branches.
Mexico’s Federal Comptroller’s Office has launched an inquiry into bribery charges against a Mexican unit of the American retail-giant Wal-Mart for allegedly bribing Mexican officials to obtain expansion permits.
The comptroller’s office...
Argentine senate approves bill to nationalize Spanish firm
View of the Senate Plenary Session, while voting on a presidential decree to allow the expropriation of YPF, in the Argentine capital, Buenos Aires, April 26, 2012
Argentina’s senate has endorsed a presidential decree to nationalize Spain-owned oil company YPF amid widespread domestic support for the plan.
At the Wednesday session of the senate, legislators from both the ruling party and the...
Mystery of mass dolphin deaths in Peru
Maritime scientists in Peru are trying to solve a mystery that has turned stretches of the country’s beaches into a grim dolphin morgue.
Officials in Lima said last week that 877 carcasses have washed up, an unprecedented number, along 100 miles of the Piura and Lambayeque coast. Nearly all are bottle-nosed dolphins, many in an advanced state of decomposition.
A possible explanation for the...
Argentina seizes gas company owned by Repsol
A YFP Gas tanker
Argentina has ordered the seizure of YFP Gas, another company controlled by the Spanish firm Repsol, as part of plans to take control of the country’s natural resources and increase production.
“There’s a division (of Repsol) called YPF Gas and that’s what will be expropriated,” Argentine Senator Marcelo Fuentes said on Wednesday.
The move to declare YPF Gas...
Latin America is in rebellion against the US: Bolivia
Bolivian President Evo Morales
Bolivian President Evo Morales says that Latin American countries are in rebellion against the United States after years of domination by their northern neighbor.
He made the remarks on Monday in Cartagena, Colombia on the last day of the Summit of the Americas, which gathered leaders and representatives of members of the Organization of American States (OAS), which includes...
US dreams about Brazil like never before
After the president of Brazil Dilma Rousseff accused the United States of the organization of “money tsunami” and “reckless” expansionary monetary policy, leading to currency wars and devastation of the national industry, she arrived in Washington with a return official visit. After these statements the Western media tried to present her visit as a mere formality, without any...