Stories for July 2025

Wednesday, July 30th 2025 - 20:55 UTC
US imposes sanctions on STF Judge De Moraes

The US Office of Foreign Assets Control (OFAC) on Wednesday imposed a series of sanctions against Federal Supreme Court (STF) Justice Alexandre De Moraes, whom the agency accuses believes to have violated freedom of expression through “arbitrary arrests” in the attempted coup trial and with his decisions regarding US social media companies.
Wednesday, July 30th 2025 - 20:31 UTC
Uruguay: Concerning surge in syphilis reported

Uruguayan health authorities reported a concerning surge in syphilis cases, with reported figures nearly doubling from around 3,566 in 2020 to between 7,035 and 7,091 in 2024. This increase is reflected in the incidence rate, which jumped from 101 to 196 cases per 100,000 inhabitants. Males are disproportionately affected, and over 50% of diagnoses are in the 18-29 age group. Social inequalities exacerbate the problem, with vulnerable populations having limited access to healthcare and essential resources.
Wednesday, July 30th 2025 - 10:51 UTC
Uruguay reverts to previous passport version after all

Uruguay's Ministries of the Interior and Foreign Affairs announced on Tuesday that they are reverting to the previous version of the national passport, effective August 1. This decision comes after the new passport format, introduced on April 16, faced difficulties with long-stay visa approvals in several countries, notably Germany and France.
Wednesday, July 30th 2025 - 10:15 UTC
Tsunami warnings triggered all across Pacific Ocean

An 8.8-magnitude earthquake off Russia's Kamchatka Peninsula triggered tsunami warnings and alerts across the Pacific. In Chile, the Navy's Hydrographic and Oceanographic Service (SHOA) initially issued a preliminary tsunami warning for the Atacama, Coquimbo, and Valparaíso regions, with a “caution” for the rest of the coast.
Wednesday, July 30th 2025 - 10:11 UTC
Zambelli arrested in Italy, pending extradition to Brazil

Italian authorities in Rome Tuesday arrested Carla Zambelli, a far-right Brazilian congresswoman and staunch supporter of former President Jair Bolsonaro. She had fled to Italy in May after being sentenced to ten years in prison in the South American country.
Wednesday, July 30th 2025 - 10:05 UTC
Products not grown in US might have zero tariffs, Lutnick hints

Amid the uproar surrounding the 50% tariffs on Brazilian products to be imported by the US administration of President Donald Trump, coffee producers saw some light at the end of the tunnel Tuesday when US Secretary of Commerce Howard Lutnick said in an interview with US network CNBC that some products not grown in the country could enter the United States without import tariffs.
Wednesday, July 30th 2025 - 09:49 UTC
Chile's Central Bank lowers basic interest rates

Chile's Central Bank Council unanimously decided Tuesday to cut its monetary policy interest rate (TPM) by 25 basis points to 4.75%. This is the first reduction this year, bringing the rate to its lowest level since January 2022, after it had been held at 5% since December 2024.
Wednesday, July 30th 2025 - 09:11 UTC
US gov't official calls for release of all of Venezuela's political prisoners

The US government of President Donald Trump publicly demanded the release of Argentine National Border Guard Corporal Nahuel Gallo, who has been detained in Venezuela since December 8, 2024, on accusations of espionage.
Tuesday, July 29th 2025 - 19:50 UTC
Falklands Legislative Assembly welcomes incoming Governor Colin Martin-Reynolds CMG

The Falkland Islands Legislative Assembly is pleased to welcome Mr Colin Martin-Reynolds CMG as the incoming Governor of the Falkland Islands and His Majesty’s Commissioner for South Georgia and the South Sandwich Islands. Mr Martin-Reynolds was officially sworn in this morning at The Court & Council Chambers in the presence of Members of the Legislative Assembly, the Chief Executive of the Falkland Islands Government, and members of the Falklands Community.
Tuesday, July 29th 2025 - 19:45 UTC
Paraguayan lawmaker suggests dropping Taiwan in favor of Mainland China

Paraguayan Congressman Hugo Meza has called for a national debate on recognizing mainland China and severing diplomatic ties with Taiwan, arguing that his country was “wasting time” with the island Beijing holds for a rogue province.