Stories for July 2025

Friday, July 25th 2025 - 09:37 UTC
Ecuador: Noboa lays off 5,000 civil servants

Ecuadorean President Daniel Noboa decreed a significant restructuring of his government, reducing the number of ministries from 20 to 14 and secretariats from 9 to 3. This move also includes the dismissal of 5,000 civil servants to boost efficiency through deficit reduction, to meet International Monetary Fund (IMF) targets.
Friday, July 25th 2025 - 09:24 UTC
Bolsonaro convicted for remarks about Venezuelan women

A court of appeals in Brasilia on Thursday reversed former President Jair Bolsonaro's lower court acquittal in the case regarding his remarks about Venezuelan teenagers, and ordered him to pay R$150,000 (US$27,165) in collective moral damages for hinting that the girls were prostitutes.
Friday, July 25th 2025 - 09:07 UTC
Uruguay's palm trees under attack by bug foreign to the region

Uruguay's iconic palm trees are facing a severe threat from the red palm weevil (Rhynchophorus ferrugineus), an invasive pest from Southeast Asia. First detected in Uruguay in 2022, the insect has rapidly spread, devouring thousands of trees and alarming authorities.
Thursday, July 24th 2025 - 20:56 UTC
Chilean Chief Prosecutor admits crime outpaced institutions

Chilean Chief Prosecutor Ángel Valencia reckoned Thursday that authorities in his country were grappling against transnational crime networks engaging in activities like drug trafficking, migrant smuggling, and sexual exploitation, which marks a significant shift from previous criminal activity and poses new challenges.
Thursday, July 24th 2025 - 20:28 UTC
No survivors reported in Russian airliner crash

An Antonov An-24 twin turboprop operated by Angara Airlines crashed in the Amur region of Russia's Far East, during a short-haul flight between Blagoveshchensk and Tynda, resulting in no survivors.
Thursday, July 24th 2025 - 16:36 UTC
Uruguay detains and sentences Iranian national for entering with fake Israeli passport

An Iranian citizen has been sentenced to prison in Uruguay after attempting to enter the country using a fake Israeli passport, according to reporting this Thursday by the weekly Búsqueda. The incident took place in the context of recent hostilities between Iran, Israel, and the United States — a period referred to by Washington as the “12-day war.”
Thursday, July 24th 2025 - 10:55 UTC
Sánchez and Peña sign bilateral agreements in Asunción

The new understanding will facilitate legal, safe, and orderly employment opportunities for Paraguayans in Spain, including employment guarantees and training for workers. Additionally, a cultural cooperation agreement was signed to promote artistic exchange and strengthen the shared heritage between the two nations.
Thursday, July 24th 2025 - 09:32 UTC
Brazil joins list of plaintiffs against Israel at ICJ

Brazilian authorities announced Wednesday the South American country's formal decision to join South Africa's lawsuit against Israel at the International Court of Justice (ICJ), accusing Israel of genocide against the Palestinian people.
Thursday, July 24th 2025 - 09:14 UTC
Israel's Parliament okays annexation of West Bank

Israel's Knesset (parliament) approved a non-binding motion Wednesday calling for the annexation of the West Bank. The initiative, which passed with 71 votes in favor and 13 against, asserts Israel's “natural, historical, and legal right” to the territory, which it refers to as “Judea and Samaria.”
Thursday, July 24th 2025 - 08:47 UTC
Former Uruguayan military officer convicted in 1974 case

Former Uruguayan military officer Juan Rebollo has been sentenced to 30 years in prison for his role as co-perpetrator in the aggravated murders of Diana Maidanic (22), Laura Raggio (19), and Silvia Reyes (19), a case historically known as “The Girls of April.” The ruling, handed down by Judge Isaura Tórtora of the 23rd Criminal Court, aligns with the maximum penalty requested by the prosecutor specializing in crimes against humanity, Ricardo Perciballe.