Stories for March 2025

Wednesday, March 12th 2025 - 10:35 UTC
Brazil outlines guidelines for COP 30

Brazil published this week a letter signed by Ambassador André Correa do Lago and Ana Toni, president and executive director of the 30th United Nations Climate Change Conference (COP30), unveiling the South American country's vision for the upcoming gathering in Belem.
Wednesday, March 12th 2025 - 10:33 UTC
Former cabinet members of previous Paraguayan gov't indicted

The Paraguayan Public Prosecutor's Office has filed charges against seven former officials from the administration of former President Mario Abdo Benítez (2018-2023), including three former ministers, for alleged crimes such as criminal association, usurpation of public office, false denunciation, and disclosure of secrets. The accused include former Interior Minister Arnaldo Giuzzio, former head of the National Anti-Corruption Secretariat René Fernández, and former official Carlos Arregui from the Secretariat for the Prevention of Money Laundering (Seprelad), among others.
Wednesday, March 12th 2025 - 10:27 UTC
Bolivia's fuel shortage crisis deepens

The Bolivian department of Santa Cruz is experiencing a crisis caused by a severe diesel shortage, which has led to blockades and threats of strikes. Farmers in Concepción and Yapacaní have blocked key highways connecting Santa Cruz with other regions, protesting the lack of fuel that threatens their summer harvest of crops like soybeans, corn, and rice. These blockades have disrupted trade routes and prompted warnings of further protests in other towns like San Carlos and Portachuelo.
Wednesday, March 12th 2025 - 09:43 UTC
Gruesome picture of Maradona's dead body shown on first day of trial

A gruesome picture of Argentine football legend Diego Maradona with his torso visibly swollen was shown Tuesday as prosecutors intended to prove that the patient could have stood a better chance of survival had he remained hospitalized and not set up at a house he rented for what was going to be his recovery after brain surgery. This image caused an emotional reaction in the courtroom, particularly among Maradona’s daughters Dalma and Gianina, who were present. Verónica Ojeda, Maradona's ex-partner, also had an incident when she rebuked one of the accused doctors before the beginning of the hearings.
Wednesday, March 12th 2025 - 09:32 UTC
Uruguayan troops in DRC to return home starting late this month

Uruguay's Foreign Minister Mario Lubetkin confirmed that his country's military mission in the Democratic Republic of Congo as part of a UN peacekeeping force will return home between late March and early April 2025. Lubetkin made the announcement after meetings in New York with UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres and Under-Secretary-General for Peace Operations Jean-Pierre Lacroix. The relief of Uruguayan troops will be carried out in stages, it was also explained.
Tuesday, March 11th 2025 - 19:17 UTC
Airline involved in Brazil's last major crash grounded

Brazil's National Civil Aviation Agency (Anac) suspended Voepass as a precautionary measure until some non-conformities are worked out. The carrier, made up from the merger of Passaredo Transportes Aéreos and Map Linhas Aéreas, will remain grounded until “the company's management systems provided for in regulations is proven,” it was explained. Voepass' current fleet of six aircraft serves 15 locations with commercial flights and two with charter contracts.
Tuesday, March 11th 2025 - 19:00 UTC
Two more partners join Vaca Muerta Sur project

Shell Argentina and Chevron Argentina joined the Vaca Muerta Sur (VMOS) project as shareholders in the major oil transport infrastructure initiative led by a consortium including the state-owned YPF, Pan American Energy (PAE), Pampa Energía, Vista Energy, and Pluspetrol. “It is the most important oil transport infrastructure project of the last decades,” the consortium said in a statement.
Tuesday, March 11th 2025 - 14:00 UTC
Delpiano appointed Chile's new defense minister

Chilean President Gabriel Boric Font appointed Adriana Delpiano to replace the resigning Maya Fernández, who left her position after being involved in the scandal regarding the Government's failed attempt to purchase the house of her grandfather, former President Salvador Allende.
Tuesday, March 11th 2025 - 10:55 UTC
Canada's new PM's past in Brazil comes to light

Canada's new Prime Minister, Mark Carney, may be a novice in politics but not to scandals, given his past at the investment firm Brookfield Asset Management, where he was vice chair and head of transition investing, later becoming chair of the asset management arm. During his tenure, Brookfield's name was linked to deforestation and slave-like labor practices, which seem to clash with Carney’s public stance on sustainability and climate action.
Tuesday, March 11th 2025 - 10:15 UTC
Charles III launched the King's Baton Relay for Glasgow 2026 Commonwealth Games

His Majesty King Charles III, Patron of Commonwealth Sport, has officially launched the inaugural Commonwealth Sport King’s Baton Relay for the Glasgow 2026 Commonwealth Games at Buckingham Palace on Commonwealth Day, Monday 10 March 2025. His Majesty placed his Message to the Commonwealth into the first Baton, passing it to the first Baton-bearer, Sir Chris Hoy, to start the relay with 500 days to go to the Opening Ceremony of Glasgow 2026.