'No banana republic': Brazil's politicos guarantee 2022 vote after bombshell story

Brazil's political leaders lined up on Thursday to stress next year's presidential election is certain to take place, after a bombshell newspaper report that Brazil's defense minister had issued a threat about holding the highly polarized vote.

Estado de S. Paulo reported that Defense Minister Walter Braga Netto, 64, a former army general, had told powerful House Speaker Arthur Lira via an interlocutor that the 2022 election would not take place unless printed ballots were used.

Both Lira and Braga Netto denied the report.

The Estado de S. Paulo story landed at a fraught time in Brazil, amid repeated - and unfounded - allegations by President Jair Bolsonaro that the country's electronic voting system is vulnerable to fraud.

With his popularity falling after overseeing the world's second deadliest coronavirus outbreak, the far-right former army captain is pushing to replace the system with printed ballots, but the bill has not gained much traction in Congress.

At: https://www.reuters.com/world/americas/report-brazil-defense-minister-threatened-2022-vote-sparks-uproar-2021-07-22/

Brazil's Defense Minister Walter Braga Netto looks on after a ceremony at the Ministry of Defense in Brasilia, Brazil, earlier today.

Braga Netto's reported threat that the 2022 election would be cancelled unless printed ballots were used has raised alarm in the South American giant of 214 million.

Most polling has Braga Netto's right-wing boss, President Jair Bolsonaro, behind populist former President Lula da Silva by double digits.

Chile approves emergency use of Sputnik-V coronavirus vaccine

Chile's Institute of Public Health (ISP) approved emergency use of the Russian Sputnik-V vaccine against COVID-19, joining the country's already massive inoculation program, the institute said in a statement.

"We have approved the Sputnik-V vaccine to be used in Chile," ISP President Heriberto García said in the statement.

The committee evaluated data from Chile as well as Mexico and Argentina, where, among 67 other countries, the Russian vaccine is also applied. García noted that Sputnik-V has an effectiveness of 91.6%, and no major adverse effects had been observed.

To date the country has given more than 13 million of its 19 million inhabitants at least one vaccine dose from an arsenal that includes China's Sinovac (80%), Pfizer, and AstraZeneca.

At: https://www.reuters.com/world/americas/chile-approves-emergency-use-sputnik-v-coronavirus-vaccine-2021-07-21/

Chile's Institute of Public Health (ISP) President Heriberto García announces the approval of Gamaleya's Sputnik-V vaccine for use in Chile.

Latin America's most vaccinated nation (along with Uruguay), Chile had reported a slowdown in deliveries of doses from Pfizer and other sources.

President Francisco Fernández Sagasti in neighboring Peru likewise announced the purchase of 20 million Sputnik-V doses for his country - one of the region's least vaccinated.

France's honours Rev. Jesse Jackson with the Legion d'Honneur

Source: Reuters

French President Emmanuel Macron on Monday awarded U.S. civil rights leader Reverend Jesse Jackson the Legion d'Honneur, one of France's highest honours, in recognition of what he called "a long walk towards emancipation and justice".

A political activist, minister, and former shadow U.S. senator for the District of Columbia representing the Democratic party, Jackson has been involved in civil rights activism since the 1960s, when he worked alongside Martin Luther King.

Jackson, 79, was appointed commander of the Legion d'Honneur, one of the highest ranks in the distinction.

"From your earliest years, you were hungry for knowledge and justice, and you are a special friend of France, a brother for us," Macron said in a solemn address at the Elysee palace.

Read more: https://www.reuters.com/world/europe/frances-honours-rev-jesse-jackson-with-legion-dhonneur-2021-07-19/

United States donates 3.5 million Moderna vaccines to Argentina

Around 3.5 million doses of Moderna vaccine arrived in Argentina in the small hours of Saturday morning, donated by the United States to combat Covid-19.

Two Aerolíneas Argentinas aircraft flew to Memphis between Wednesday and Thursday where they loaded up for the flights that touched down eventually at Ezeiza International Airport, west of Buenos Aires.

"It’s a record donation for Argentina, the biggest in Latin America," government sources told the Noticias Argentinas news agency.

"The United States and Argentina are working together as partners to battle against this global pandemic," said U.S. Embassy Chargé d'Affaires MaryKay Carlson, confirming the news.

With this shipment - part of President Joe Biden's donation of 20 million doses to the hard-hit Latin America region - Argentina has reached a Covid-19 vaccine supply total of 30 million doses.

Argentina has largely relied on Russia's Sputnik V, AstraZeneca, and Sinopharm for its vaccination campaign.

Over 27 million doses have thus far been administered - out of a goal of 63 million. Some 65% of Argentine adults have received a first dose - but only 16%, a second.

At: https://www.batimes.com.ar/news/argentina/us-donates-35-million-moderna-vaccines-to-argentina.phtml

Argentine Chief of Staff Santiago Cafiero and U.S. Embassy Chargé d'Affaires MaryKay Carlson welcome the first of two flights carrying Moderna Covid-19 vaccines at the international airport near Buenos Aires yesterday.

The 3.5 million doses donated as part of President Joe Biden's 20 million-dose Latin America program will help Argentina arrive at its goal of vaccinating all 33 million adults with two doses ahead of schedule.

The country has lost 100,000 victims to Covid-19, the fifth-highest death toll in the region and the 11th-highest worldwide.

Union leader Pedro Castillo confirmed as Peru's president-elect

Peru's Electoral Tribunal announced that legal challenges to the nation's recent presidential elections have been reviewed and rejected, thus confirming union leader Pedro Castillo as the nation's president-elect.

The June 6th run-off vote had ended with political outsider Castillo, 51, and his left-wing Free Peru coalition ahead by a narrow margin of 44,000 votes out of over 18 million cast.

The official result had been delayed by challenges from opponent Keiko Fujimori, 46, of the hard-right Popular Force to annul some ballots on claims of fraud, despite little evidence.

The Organization of American States, European Union, Canada, Britain, and the U.S. State Department have all stated that the elections in Peru were clean.

Castillo would take office on July 28 for a five-year term as leader of the nation of 33 million, the world's second largest copper-producer.

At: https://translate.google.com/translate?sl=auto&tl=en&u=https://www.pagina12.com.ar/355538-peru-la-justicia-electoral-confirmo-el-triunfo-de-pedro-cast

Peruvian President-elect Pedro Castillo and running mate Dina Boluarte celebrate their runoff victory on June 6th.

A series of challenges by hard-right opponent Keiko Fujimori, some involving jailed former intelligence head Vladimiro Montesinos (her father Alberto Fujimori's spymaster during his authoritarian, 1990-2000 rule), were struck down by Peru's Electoral Tribunal today.

Fujimori's unfounded accusations of electoral fraud, which sought to annul results in rural areas where Castillo won handily, have prompted prosecutors to launch an investigation into Fujimori for possible crimes against the right to vote and false statements.

Charles Robinson, who played court clerk on long-running 'Night Court,' dies at 75

Charles Robinson, a versatile actor best known for his role as the court clerk Mac Robinson in the long-running sitcom “Night Court,” died July 11 at a hospital in Los Angeles. He was 75.

“Night Court” aired on NBC from 1984 to 1992 and featured an ensemble cast of skilled comic actors, headed by Harry Anderson as a youthful judge fond of magic tricks and jazz singer Mel Tormé.

In addition to Mr. Robinson, John Larroquette, Markie Post, Richard Moll and Marsha Warfield rounded out the cast.

Mr. Robinson was a prolific stage actor and had supporting parts in series such as “Buffalo Bill,” “Love & War,” “Home Improvement,” “Hart of Dixie” and “The Game.”

Mr. Robinson was born in Houston on Nov. 9, 1945. From a young age, he sang in rock and gospel groups and considered a career as a preacher.

“But I didn’t like much of anything about a musician’s life,” he told the Houston Chronicle.

“So one day I happened to turn on the TV and there was Bill Cosby. That’s for me, I said. I want to be an actor.”

At: https://www.msn.com/en-us/news/us/charles-robinson-who-played-court-clerk-on-long-running-night-court-dies-at-75/ar-AAM7Kdi

Actor Charles Robinson, 1945-2021, in his iconic role as Mac in “Night Court.”

Flamboyant former Louisiana Gov. Edwin Edwards dies at 93

Flamboyant former Louisiana Gov. Edwin Edwards dies at age 93. His biographer, Leo Honeycutt, said the cause of death was respiratory failure.

First elected governor in 1971, Edwards was one of the more colorful characters in politics in the 20th century who may be best known for his 1991 gubernatorial campaign slogan "Vote For the Crook. It's Important."

It was a race in which he beat Ku Klux Klan grand wizard David Duke.

Following that stint in office - his last of four terms as governor - Edwards served eight years in jail on racketeering charges.

"I have lived a good life, had better breaks than most, had some bad breaks, too, but that's all part of it," Edwards said at his home in Gonzales, LA.

At: https://www.upi.com/Top_News/US/2021/07/12/governor-edwin-edwards-Louisiana-dead/4121626109802/

Former Louisiana Governor Edwin Edwards, during his 1975 re-election campaign with singers Johnny Cash and Charlie Pride.

"I tried to help as many people as I could and I hope I did that, and I hope, if I did, that they will help others, too. I love Louisiana and I always will."

Pope Francis makes 1st appearance since intestinal surgery

Pope Francis on Sunday made his first public appearance since major intestinal surgery last week, greeting well-wishers as he stood for 10 minutes on a hospital balcony, offering hearty thanks for the prayers for his recovery and calling health care for all a “precious” good.

Francis, 84, has been steadily on the mend, according to the Vatican, following his July 4 scheduled surgery to remove a portion of his colon that had narrowed due to inflammation.

But it hasn’t said just when he might be discharged from the Gemelli Polyclinic in Rome. On the morning after his surgery, a Holy See spokesperson said his hospital stay was expected to last seven days, “barring complications.”

“I am happy to be able to keep the Sunday appointment of the Angelus, even here from Gemelli Polyclinic,” Francis said. “I thank everyone. I felt your closeness and the support of your prayers.?

“Thank you from my heart!” exclaimed the pontiff, smiling as he peered over the balcony railing to better see the faithful below.

Besides seeing the faithful again, Francis had another reason to smile on Sunday. Argentina beat Brazil 1-0 in the Copa America soccer final. Francis is a huge soccer fan, and roots for the San Lorenzo squad in his native Buenos Aires.

At: https://apnews.com/article/pope-francis-first-appearance-after-surgery-2e342f6c29ed7ec749452d9121bf8cac

Argentina wins Copa America soccer championship over Brazil

Argentina defeated Brazil 1-0 to win the Copa América, its first major title since 1993 and the first major international crown for captain Lionel Messi.

The win at Rio de Janeiro's Maracanã Stadium adds an international accolade to Messi's CV, after having won a numerous trophies at club level with Barcelona.

It was an entertaining but hard fought match on both sides as Messi squared off against former Barca teammate Neymar, who was fouled repeatedly throughout the night.

Midfielder Ángel Di María gave Argentina the lead and eventual game-winner in the 22nd minute when he pounced on Rodan Lodi's errant clearance and looped the ball over Ederson for the goal.

At: https://www.espn.com/soccer/report?gameId=603182

Argentina's national soccer team celebrate tonight's Copa América final victory over Brazil, 1-0.

South America's premier soccer tournament, the Copa América has been held nearly every year since 1916.

It was Argentina's 15th title - but its first since 1993.

Boliviagate: Argentine documents show far larger post-coup weapons shipment than previously known

Documents uncovered in Argentina's National Controlled Materials Agency (ANMaC) show that the shipment of munitions and tear gas shipped to Bolivia following that country's 2019 coup was far larger than previously known - and included lethal weaponry.

An ANMaC permit, dated November 12, 2019 - just two days after the coup against Bolivian President Evo Morales - included 70,000 AT-12/70 crowd control (rubber bullet) cartridges; 100 Mk-9 tear gas spray canisters; and 661 CN, CS, and HC gas grenades.

A Bolivian Air Force letter (November 13) presented yesterday by Bolivian Foreign Minister Rogelio Mayta had revealed a shipment of 40,000 rubber bullet cartridges and only one-fifth as much tear gas as detailed in Argentine documents uncovered today.

Another ANMaC permit (November 11) detailed a shipment of semiautomatic pistols, repeating shotguns, automatic carbines, machine guns and rifles - as well as over 8,000 ammunition of different calibers, bulletproof vests, helmets, ballistic shields and night visors.

At least ten Argentine Gendarmerie (militarized police) officials were likewise sent to Bolivia after the coup - which was publicly backed by the right-wing Argentine President at the time, Mauricio Macri.

The documents were uncovered in an internal probe ordered by Argentine Security Minister Sabina Frederic following the complaint made by Bolivia's current President Luis Arce - who was elected in a landslide and took office last November following the year-long Jeanine Áñez regime.

Over 800 protesters were injured and at least 33 were killed by Bolivian security forces in the aftermath of 2019 coup.

At: https://translate.google.com/translate?sl=es&tl=en&u=https://www.minutouno.com/politica/golpe-estado-bolivia/macri-mando-los-golpistas-bolivianos-armas-automaticas-fusiles-70-mil-cartuchos-antidisturbios-y-8-mil-municiones-n5218819

Former Bolivian President Evo Morales (left) chats with his Argentine counterpart at the time, Mauricio Macri, in 2018.

Morales' 2019 overthrow was publicly backed by Macri - whom Argentine and Bolivian documents now show to have shipped a large cache of lethal and non-lethal weapons, munitions and other matériel to the post-coup Bolivian regime.

Former Ecuadorian President Lenín Moreno - who, like Macri, was a close Trump ally - was likewise recently revealed to have shipped munitions to Bolivia following the 2019 coup.