Stories for August 2025

Saturday, August 30th 2025 - 10:59 UTC
Trump's tariffs illegal, court rules

A US federal appeals court has ruled by 7 votes to 4 that most of President Donald Trump's global tariffs are illegal because the International Emergency Economic Powers Act (IEEPA) invoked by the Republican leader does not grant him the authority to do so. The court affirmed that the power to levy tariffs rests exclusively with Congress.
Saturday, August 30th 2025 - 10:58 UTC
Milei to resume mileage-accruing habit next month

Argentine President Javier Milei will embark on three international trips next month, the Casa Rosada announced this week. Milei has not traveled abroad for three months, which in his case is a rare occurrence.
Saturday, August 30th 2025 - 10:18 UTC
South Korean mission exploring possible Paraguayan meat purchases

A South Korean business delegation, including representatives from the Korea Meat Import Association, is in Paraguay this week to assess its meat industry. This marks the first time Korean private-sector leaders have visited the South American country before an official market opening, signaling confidence in the process.
Saturday, August 30th 2025 - 10:16 UTC
No more “de minimis” exemption for shipments to US

The US Government of President Donald Trump has eliminated the so-called “de minimis” rule, effective Friday. According to this new decision, the previous rule allowing international shipments valued under US$800 to enter the country duty-free has been revoked, and all items are now subject to taxation.
Saturday, August 30th 2025 - 10:11 UTC
Peru: Scientists extracting skeleton of 20-million-year-old bird

A team of Peruvian researchers has discovered the perfectly preserved fossil of a new, giant seabird species believed to be 20 million years old. The skeleton, found in the Ocucaje Desert in the department of Ica, is similar in size to a modern condor. In principle, the specimen is believed to belong to a species never before studied.
Saturday, August 30th 2025 - 10:11 UTC
Brazil: Volkswagen found guilty of slave-like labor exploitation

Carmaker Volkswagen was found accountable for the exploitation of labor analogous to slavery between 1974 and 1986 at the Vale do Rio Cristalino farm, also known as the Volkswagen Farm, located in Santana do Araguaia, in the Brazilian State of Pará.
Saturday, August 30th 2025 - 10:02 UTC
Lula announces sports university in Brazil

Brazilian President Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva announced this week the creation of a sports university. He made those remarks while welcoming at the Planalto Palace a delegation of rhythmic gymnasts who won two medals at the world championships in Rio de Janeiro earlier this month.
Friday, August 29th 2025 - 16:52 UTC
Brazil's population reaches 213.4 million

Brazil's Institute of Geography and Statistics (IBGE) released a study this week showing that as of July 1, 2025, the populatiin of South America's largest country aounted to 213.4 million inhabitants, representing a 0.39% increase over the previous year.
Friday, August 29th 2025 - 10:36 UTC
Lula and Mulino advance Panama's accession to Mercosur

Brazilian President Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva and his Panamanian colleague José Raúl Mulino met in Brasilia to advance the Central American country's accession to the Southern Common Market (Mercosur). In addition, the two leaders instructed their teams to begin negotiations aimed at addressing the existing trade imbalance, as Brazil's exports far outweigh Panama's exports.
Friday, August 29th 2025 - 10:20 UTC
Karina Milei's motorcade jeered in Corrientes

Argentina's Presidential Secretary (and sister) Karina Milei and Lower House Speaker Martín Menem were jeered Thursday as they rallied in the province of Corrientes in support of La Libertad Avanza's candidate Lisandro Almirón.