Secret Service agents entertained prostitutes in Obama's rooms

US President Barack Obama was scheduled to hold a series of private meetings with Latin American leaders in the same hotel rooms in Cartagena where Secret Service agents had earlier entertained prostitutes, it has emerged.

The revelation that the President's personal safety could have been directly compromised by the agents' off-duty actions - a clear breach of tight security protocols surrounding presidential visits - has added a further dimension to the biggest scandal to engulf the elite service in its 142-year history.

It is alleged that the team had taken prostitutes to their hotel rooms in the Colombian city less than 48 hours before Mr Obama was due to arrive at the Summit of the Americas. 

General Martin Dempsey, the Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, spoke of the military's embarrassment over the affair. "We let the boss down," he said.

Read more: The Australian

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Iranian President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad Lands is Latin America

[ via France24 ] 9 Jan

Iranian President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad, facing new sanctions over his nation's suspect nuclear programme, landed in Venezuela on Sunday to start a five-day tour aimed at shoring up ties in Latin America.

Iranian President Lands in Latin America [ Photo AFP ]

Ahmadinejad will meet fellow US foe and firebrand Venezuelan President Hugo Chavez during a four-nation trip that coincides with rising global alarm over Tehran's reputed attempts to build an atomic weapon - a charge Tehran denies.

In the meantime, the Venezuelan leader said on his Sunday radio and television program:

"We are not a threat to anyone. We have sovereign rights," in an implicit jab at the United States' stated concerns about Iran and Venezuela.

Read more: France24

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Iranian president expected to visit Latin America

[ via LA Times ] 4 Jan

Iranian President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad plans a four-nation tour of Latin America beginning Sunday in an apparent effort to show he is not a universal pariah despite increasing tension between Tehran and the West.

File Photo

The tour, whose complete itinerary has not been made public, is expected to begin in Venezuela and  include visits to Nicaragua, Cuba and Ecuador.

Ahmadinejad was expected to visit Venezuela, with which Iran has signed a number of trade deals, including joint ventures to produce tractors, bicycles and housing, in September.  That visit was canceled because of Venezuelan President Hugo Chavez’s treatment for cancer.
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Latin America's top-selling cars not safe

Full Story: Express Tribune 24 Nov

Top-selling cars in Latin America are not safe enough for their passengers and show poor structural integrity, according to a study released Thursday by the Latin New Car Assessment Programme (NCAP).

“The frontal impact tests carried out at (speeds) of 64 kilometers (38 miles) per hour reveal that poor structural integrity and the absence of airbags are putting the lives of Latin American motorists at risk,” according to the latest phase of testing released Thursday.

Models tested include Chevrolet Celta, Chevrolet Corsa Classic, Chevrolet Cruze LT, Fiat Novo Uno Evo, Ford Focus Hatchback, Ford KA Fly Viral, Nissan March, and Nissan Tiida Hatchback.

Read full story for more revealing details.

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