Brazil's Bolsonaro tests positive for coronavirus
Brazil's President Jair Bolsonaro tested positive for COVID-19 on Tuesday after months of downplaying the virus' severity. Bolsonaro confirmed the test results while wearing a mask and speaking to reporters in capital Brasilia, and said he is already taking hydroxychloroquine - an anti-malarial drug unproven to effectively treat COVID-19. "I'm well, normal. I even want to take a walk around here, but I can't due to medical recommendations," Bolsonaro said. "I thought I had it before, given my very dynamic activity. I'm president and on the combat lines. I like to be in the middle of the people."
Coronavirus restrictions lifted in Rio and Sao Paulo
Brazil is the worst affected country by the coronavirus pandemic in Latin America. But despite this, the largest city Sao Paulo is bowing to pressure from the business sector to lift restrictions. The permission to reopen gyms, bars, restaurants and shopping centres in Rio de Janeiro and Sao Paulo, Brazil's two biggest cities, comes just as the country surpasses 1.6 million infections and more than 65,000 deaths from COVID-19.
Cuba Denounces US Blockade Worsening During The Pandemic
Cuba's Deputy Foreign Affairs Ministry director for the U.S. Johana Tablada Tuesday denounced the U.S. blockade worsening during the pandemic. "In 2020, during the COVID-19 period in which the call to end the blockade grew, the United States applied 11 additional unilateral actions of the extraterritorial blockade," Tablada tweeted. The diplomat also referred to the U.S. government's hostile actions as hindering access to banking operations, medical supplies, fuel, donations, and trade amidst COVID-19 exceptional situation. The 11 new sanctions against Cuba's economy summed to about 86 blockade actions in 2019.
Colombia extends national lockdown as virus 'accelerates'
Colombia is extending its nationwide lockdown by more than two weeks after reported cases and deaths accelerated in several cities, President Iván Duque has said. The measure, which was implemented in March, was due to be lifted on 15 July has now been pushed back to 1 August. "Considering we have cities where the rate of cases has accelerated and grown, as well as the mortality rate, we have continued to work on preserving the mandatory preventive isolation as the general concept," Mr Duque said in a televised address on Tuesday. More than 120,000 cases of Covid-19 and 4,452 deaths have been confirmed in Colombia.
Change in Dominican Republic as opposition wins presidency
Early results in the presidential election in the Dominican Republic give the opposition candidate, Luis Abinader, an unassailable lead. His two main rivals have conceded defeat and the outgoing president has congratulated Mr Abinader on his win. His victory puts an end to 16 years in power of the centre-left Dominican Liberation Party (PLD). Voter turnout was high despite the election being conducted during the coronavirus pandemic.
Argentina allows Olympic athletes to resume training
Argentina's government has given next year's Olympic athletes special permission to train. At the same time, it has reimposed tight restrictions on outdoor exercise for everyone else as a measure to control the COVID-19 pandemic.
Nairo Quintana out for two weeks after being hit by car in Colombia
Former Giro d'Italia winner Nairo Quintana is to rest for two weeks with a swollen knee after being hit by a car on Friday. The 30-year-old Colombian was training in his home country when he was knocked down by a car attempting to overtake him and his support team. Quintana's team initially feared a more serious knee injury. "The medical report is in and my knee is swollen but luckily they have told us that it's nothing serious," he said. "Of course, now I'll have to take two weeks off to rest and wait for it to heal." He is expected to return to racing at the Tour de l'Ain on 7 August.
The Netflix original documentary “Mucho Mucho Amor: The Legend of Walter Mercado”
Mercado was a Puerto Rican astrologer and true Pisces whose career as a television and radio mystic began in 1969. At the height of his fame, Mercado’s image was broadcast to millions around the world every day and his story is now available to view on netflix.
