More than 2,100 pregnant Colombian women are infected with the mosquito-borne Zika virus, the country's national health institute says, as the disease continues its spread across the Americas.

The opposition in Venezuela has won a majority of seats in the National Assembly, overturning nearly two decades of dominance by the Socialists of President Nicolas Maduro.

Argentine soccer great Diego Maradona underwent a gastric bypass in the western Venezuelan city of Maracaibo over the weekend and is recovering well, doctors said on Sunday.

Fifteen people are injured when a plane's engine caught fire as it taxied for take-off from an airport in Florida.

Brazil coach Dunga has welcomed the return of captain Neymar ahead of what he has labelled a ‘war’ with Argentina next month.

Two goals from Willian helped Brazil secure a 3-1 victory over Venezuela in World Cup qualifying.

Second-half goals from Eduardo Vargas and Alexis Sanchez saw Chile to a 2-0 win over Brazil in their World Cup qualifier on Thursday.

A Venezuelan film set among the chaos and violence of Caracas - Desde Alla, or From Afar - wins the top Golden Lion prize at the Venice film festival.

The Barcelona ace scored twice as Dunga's men beat United States on Tuesday but says they can cope without him.

Thiago Silva and Roberto Firmino scored in each half to seal Brazil's place at the quarter-final stage of the Copa America as they defeated Venezuela.

Brazil striker Neymar will miss the rest of the Copa America after being suspended for four games.

Brazil's Neymar was shown a red card after the final whistle at the Copa America as his side are beaten by Colombia for the first time since 1991.

Venezuela says it will cut the working day for public sector workers to five-and-a-half hours to conserve energy, down from eight to nine hours