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Reuters
Senior correspondent for Reuters, based out of Rio De Janeiro
PROFILE
Paulo Prada
Guest
FROM Paulo Prada
To the Point
Will Rio be Ready? Four weeks until Brazil lights its Olympic cauldron in Rio, and the country is in a shambles. A month ago Rio’s state government declared a “State of Calamity” to access extra funding to pay for the Games. Almost all venues are still under construction. In April, a newly built bike path along Rio’s seashore collapsed, killing two people, on the same day that the Olympic torch was lit in Greece. Drug traffickers are involved in territorial disputes in at least 20 Rio neighborhoods, a crime wave is sweeping the city and body parts recently washed up on the beach where the volleyball competitions will be held. And we haven’t even gotten to the mosquito-born Zika epidemic or Russian athletes banned because of a doping scandal.
To the Point
Brazil’s World Cup Experience: The Take and the Heartache In the semi-finals of this year’s World Cup, Brazil lost to Germany by 7 to 1—a major blow to the host country. But Brazil also proved itself capable of staging a world-class event. After hosting a month-long party, Brazil faces a major hangover as it prepares for the Summer Olympics in just two years time. We’ll look at the economic and political consequences of the World Cup for Brazil and FIFA, soccer’s governing body.
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To the Point
The longest US war: Will Trump send more troops to Afghanistan? The Trump White House is divided over the Pentagon's request for more troops in Afghanistan—where the US has been fighting for the past 16 years. Is there a formula -- either for "victory" or a political settlement? Is there an end in sight for America's longest war?
To the Point
Venezuela spirals into economic and political chaos Venezuela, a country whose potential for prosperity is unmatched, finds itself on the verge of civil war. What sustains the repressive government? With time running out, guest host León Krauze looks at what the international community can do to pull the country from the edge of collapse.
Left, Right & Center
President Trump: US to withdraw from the Paris Climate Accord Trump says he was elected to serve Pittsburgh, not Paris.
To the Point
Who's to blame for the opioid crisis? Some of the lawyers who took on Big Tobacco are now going after Big Pharma. It’s all about the deadly epidemic of opioid use. Are the drug companies to blame? What about the users? Later, on today’s Talking Point: making sense of Britain’s upset election.