Brazil's major parties lost ground to a dozen smaller groups in Congress in Sunday's election, making it harder for the next president to form a stable coalition needed to undertake economic reforms and control government spending.
The leader of Mexico's biggest opposition party is stepping aside temporarily to seek a congressional seat next year at which time he could resume his post as party leader.
The U.S. Congress gave final approval on Thursday to President Barack Obama's plan for training and arming moderate Syrian rebels to battle Islamic State, a major part of his military campaign to "degrade and destroy" the militant group.
Congress may yet pass legislation this year to curb foreign buyout deals that allow corporations to cut their U.S. income taxes, a leading Democratic lawmaker said on Monday.
