News / News Bulletin

Brazil acting president Temer sworn in as head of state

Wednesday, 31 August 2016 10:37 PM [ Last Update: Wednesday, 31 August 2016 10:37 PM ]

President Michel Temer waves as he takes office before the plenary of the Brazilian Senate in Brasilia, on August 31, 2016. ©AFP

Here is a round-up of global news developments:

Brazil’s interim President Michel Temer has been sworn in as the new head of state. Temer will serve out former president Dilma Rousseff’s term which will end on January the first, 2019. The majority of Brazilian senators voted to oust Rousseff for allegedly breaking fiscal laws.
Venezuela says it has frozen political and diplomatic ties with Brazil following the removal of president Dilma Rousseff from office. Caracas is also going to withdraw its ambassador from Brasilia. The Venezuelan government has also condemned Rousseff’s ouster as a parliamentary coup.
The leader of Iran’s Islamic Revolution Ayatollah Seyyed Ali Khamenei accuses the US government of committing atrocities in Iraq and Afghanistan as well as creating dangerous terrorist groups . The leader says experience shows that Americans are seeking to impose their will rather than negotiate.
Nearly 10 people have been killed in a Saudi airstrike in Yemen’s northern province of Hajjah. The warplanes targeted a residential area in Hajjah's Hiran district. Over 9,600 Yemenis have been killed since Saudi Arabia invaded its southern neighbor in March last year.
Russia’s Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov voices concern about Turkey’s military offensive on Syrian soil. He told his Turkish counterpart Mevlut Cavusoglu that Turkey must avoid targeting ethnic groups that are fighting Daesh. Ankara says military operations will continue in Syria until the removal of all threats.
Moscow says Daesh’s second man al-Adnani has been killed in a strike by Russian Air Force in Aleppo. 40 other terrorists were also killed along with Adnani on Tuesday. They were killed in a region, northwest of Aleppo. Daesh has confirmed Adnani’s death.
Israeli monitoring group "Peace Now" says the Israeli cabinet has approved the construction of 466 settler units in the occupied West Bank. 285 units will be built and 180 others will be renovated or legalized in 3 settlements north of Jerusalem al-Quds. Israel's settlements are illegal under international law.
Spain is going to the polls for the 3rd time in a year as its main opposition parties deny acting Prime Minister Mariano Rajoy the crucial support he needs to form a government. Anti-austerity Podemos and Socialists both gave a vote of no confidence to Rajoy.