Brazil president: closing

Venezuela border ‘unthinkable’

SAO PAULO (AP) — Brazilian President Michel Temer said Thursday that it would be “unthinkable” to close his country’s border to Venezuelans fleeing political and economic turmoil.

Temer caused concern on Wednesday when he said in a radio interview that authorities were considering using chits to limit the number of Venezuelans entering the country. His office later issued a statement saying the chits would only be used to help Brazilian authorities better respond to the needs of Venezuelans. Tens of thousands have arrived in Brazil, and many are hungry or sick.

Temer reminded reporters on Thursday that his government has pushed to keep the border open as the state where most Venezuelans are arriving has tried to shut it.

He implied his remarks were misinterpreted — possibly deliberately. He said closing the border is “unthinkable, non-negotiable.”

Ukraine: Ex-premier Tymoshenko

announces presidential run

MINSK, Belarus (AP) — Yulia Tymoshenko, who became Ukraine’s prime minister after helping lead the 2004 Orange Revolution and was later imprisoned when her arch-foe came to power, says she will run for president in next year’s election.

She announced her candidacy on Thursday, her website reported.

With her fiery speeches and the striking braids she wore wrapped on her head, Tymoshenko gained international attention in the 2004 protests against a rigged presidential election.

Her ally, Viktor Yushchenko, eventually won a court-ordered rerun against Viktor Yanukovych, who initially was declared the election’s winner.

Tymoshenko became prime minister, but Yushchenko dismissed her nine months later. She returned as premier in 2007 and lost to Yanukovych when she challenged him in the 2010 presidential race.

She was imprisoned for abuse of office, but released in 2014 when Yanukovych fled amid mass protests.