Police still searching for Texas man accused of killing five neighbors

(Reuters) – Over 200 law enforcement officers in Texas searched on Sunday for a man accused of shooting to death five neighbors after being asked to stop firing a semiautomatic rifle in Cleveland, Texas. Francisco Oropesa, 38, is accused of opening fire on neighbors after being asked to stop shooting an AR-15-style rifle late Friday…

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Paraguay’s President-elect Santiago Pena: puppet or pragmatist?

By Lucinda Elliott and Daniela Desantis ASUNCION (Reuters) – Paraguay’s President-elect Santiago Pena, a clean-cut former central bank director, will need all his wits and cool to steer the South American nation through economic headwinds hurting voters and rising pressure from farmers to cut ties with Taiwan. The former International Monetary Fund (IMF) economist, who…

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Paraguay’s women battle to break political glass ceiling

By Lucinda Elliott ASUNCION (Reuters) – In Paraguay’s election on Sunday, Soledad Nunez, a 40-year-old engineer and former minister, is looking to break into the South American country’s male-dominated political arena as its first elected female vice president. Paraguay – which has a reputation for misogynist ‘machista’ culture even within the often conservative region –…

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Colombia’s central bank raises benchmark rate to 13.25% in split vote

By Nelson Bocanegra BOGOTA (Reuters) -Colombia’s central bank board raised the benchmark interest rate by 25 basis points to 13.25% on Friday, continuing a long tightening cycle amid persistent inflation and significant stability risks to the global financial system, it said. Four policymakers voted for the 25 basis point increase, while two wanted to keep…

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Brazil’s Lula recognizes Indigenous territories halted by Bolsonaro

By Anthony Boadle BRASILIA (Reuters) – President Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva legally recognized six Indigenous territories on Friday, fulfilling a campaign promise to reverse the policy of his far-right predecessor Jair Bolsonaro said Brazil’s original people had too much land. The recognition is crucial to protect Indigenous lands from increasing encroachment by farming and…

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Cuervo tequila maker Becle narrows sales guidance after profit slump

By Isabel Woodford MEXICO CITY (Reuters) -Mexican distiller Becle, the world’s largest tequila producer, narrowed down its forecasts for its 2023 sales growth, an executive said on Thursday, after profits slumped over the first three months of the year. Becle, which produces the popular Jose Cuervo tequilas, now forecasts annual growth in the high single…

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Chile’s lithium takeover plan faces technical, political challenges

By Fabian Cambero SANTIAGO (Reuters) -While Chile’s plan to take control of its lithium industry has caused global shockwaves, state-led production of the metal used to make electric vehicle batteries is seen by analysts as likely years away given technical and political challenges. President Gabriel Boric last week said he would move to gradually nationalize…

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