SAN JUAN, Puerto Rico (AP) — Puerto Rico narrowly avoided a multimillion-dollar default on Tuesday by announcing a last-minute bond payment while warning that a deepening financial crisis has forced the government to divert money slated for future debt payments to avoid a shutdown of basic services. The announcement by Puerto Rico’s Government Development Bank … Continue reading
HAVANA (AP) — The Cuban government announced Tuesday that it is re-imposing a hated travel permit requirement on many doctors, requiring them to get permission to leave the country in an attempt to counter a brain drain that it blames on the United States. It is the first major retreat in Cuba’s policy of allowing … Continue reading
MEXICO CITY (AP) — A Mexican archaeologist said his team has found a tunnel-like passageway that apparently leads to two sealed chambers, the latest chapter in the search for the as-yet undiscovered tomb of an Aztec ruler. The Aztecs are believed to have cremated the remains of their leaders during their 1325-1521 rule, but the … Continue reading
RIO DE JANEIRO (AP) — Impeachment proceedings were opened Wednesday against Brazilian President Dilma Rousseff by the speaker of the lower house of Congress, a sworn enemy of the beleaguered leader. A special commission in which all political parties are represented must now weigh the decision of speaker Eduardo Cunha to open proceedings against Rousseff … Continue reading
RIO DE JANEIRO (AP) — Olympic sailor Erik Heil floated a novel idea to protect himself from the sewage-infested waters he and other athletes will compete in during next year’s games: He’d wear plastic overalls and peel them off when he was safely past the contaminated waters nearest shore. Heil, 26, was treated at a … Continue reading
CARACAS, Venezuela (AP) — Venezuelans are stockpiling food and putting off plans as the South American country brims with excitement and dread ahead of elections that could hand the opposition control of congress for the first time since 1998. A loss would end a 17-year chain of electoral victories that the socialist movement founded by … Continue reading
BUENOS AIRES, Argentina (AP) — When Argentines chose a new president in recent elections, many voters seemed more concerned about what would happen with the old one. Such is the hold of outgoing President Cristina Fernandez on the public imagination in this South American country, where the telegenic, combative and polarizing leader steps down Dec. … Continue reading
PUERTO AVENTURAS, Mexico (AP) — Melo Trimble scores 17 points on 7-for-7 shooting, and No. 2 Maryland beat Rhode Island 86-63 on Wednesday night in the Cancun Challenge. Trimble, who was named tournament MVP, also went 3 for 3 at the line and grabbed six rebounds. Rasheed Sulaimon also scored 17 points on 6-for-7 shooting, … Continue reading
SAN JUAN, Puerto Rico (AP) — Jakob Poeltl had a huge performance and Brandon Taylor hit the go-ahead shot with 28.4 seconds left, lifting No. 16 Utah past Temple 74-68 in Sunday’s third-place game at the Puerto Rico Tipoff. Poeltl finished with 32 points and 11 rebounds, tied for the No. 2 single-game scoring total … Continue reading
BUENOS AIRES, Argentina (AP) — Opposition candidate Mauricio Macri won Argentina’s presidential election on Sunday, marking an end to the left-leaning and often-combative era of President Cristina Fernandez, who along with her late husband dominated the country’s political scene for 12 years and rewrote its social contract. Ruling party candidate Daniel Scioli, Fernandez’s chosen successor, … Continue reading
PENAS BLANCAS, Costa Rica (AP) — As summer began to bake the central Cuban city of Sancti Spiritus, Elio Alvarez and Lideisy Hernandez sold their tiny apartment and everything in it for $5,000 and joined the largest migration from their homeland in decades. Buying two smartphones for $160 apiece on a layover on their way … Continue reading
TELOLOAPAN, Mexico (AP) — Carlos Sanchez lay in the backseat of a Honda sedan with his head in his wife’s lap, an oxygen tube in his nose, IV in his arm and three bullets in his body. The 36-year-old taco vendor cried out in pain at every bump on the pitch-dark highway to the city … Continue reading
COLORADO SPRINGS, Colo. (AP) — The author of the report that detailed anti-doping corruption in Russia believes the country that spent $51 billion on hosting the Sochi Olympics should be able to fix its system in time to get the track team to next year’s Summer Games. Remaking Russia’s attitude toward doping could take longer, … Continue reading
PLAYA DEL CARMEN, Mexico (AP) — Derek Fathauer played bogey-free Saturday on his way to another 6-under 66 that gave him a one-shot lead in the OHL Classic at Mayakoba and a chance to extend an unusual streak on the PGA Tour. First-time winners have captured all five of the PGA Tour events at the … Continue reading
CARACAS, Venezuela (AP) — The latest news in the arrest of two nephews of the powerful first lady of Venezuela Cilia Flores on U.S. drug charges. All times local in Caracas. 7:30 p.m. Two nephews of Venezuelan first lady Cilia Flores have appeared in federal court in New York and been ordered held without bail … Continue reading
Spartan Echo 