Washington says pardons by Venezuela's Maduro are token acts
FILE - In this March 12, 2020 file photo, Venezuelan President Nicolas Maduro speaks at the Miraflores presidential palace in Caracas, Venezuela. Restoring constitutional rights that were illegally taken away should not be applauded," the U.S. State Department said in a statement. Maduro in a Tuesday address on state TV accused President Donald Trump of leading a campaign to topple and even kill him. Maduro defended his pardons, saying he assumed full responsibility for the decision done in the spirit of peace and dialogue. The State Department described the pardons as token actions" and said conditions required for free and fair elections are clear.
Quarantined surfers return to Peru's famous waves
The emblematic surfers who dot Peru's coastline are retaking to the waves as the hard-hit nation relaxes COVID-19 related restrictions on outdoor sports. (AP Photo/Martin Mejia)LIMA Peruvian surfers are returning to their nations world-famous waves after three months spent in lockdown due to the coronavirus. It was about time, no? said a smiling Alessandro Currarino, sporting a black wetsuit and matching face mask after hitting the waves. Under the new rules, the surfers must wear face masks while on land and practice social distancing. More time in the water the better, she said during a break Thursday from the cold, choppy waves.