Stories for 2025

Tuesday, January 28th 2025 - 08:47 UTC
Things back to normal but not for Colombians seeking a US visa

The US State Department confirmed Monday that delays were still to be expected by Colombian nationals seeking a visa to travel to the United States after the incident between Presidents Donald Trump and Gustavo Petro over the weekend regarding two deportation flights.
Tuesday, January 28th 2025 - 08:19 UTC
Lula and Putin discuss ongoing world affairs

Presidents Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva of Brazil and Vladimir Putin of Russia held a telephone conversation Monday during which they discussed ongoing global affairs and reviewed the bilateral agenda. In addition, the South American leader accepted the invitation to attend the Victory Day celebrations in Moscow in May, marking the 80th anniversary of the end of World War II. Both leaders also welcomed Indonesia's joining the BRICS group as a full member.
Tuesday, January 28th 2025 - 08:06 UTC
Avian Influenza Prevention Zone extended to all of England; H5N1 human case in West Midlands

The UK Health Security Agency, UKHSA, has confirmed a case of influenza A(H5N1) in a person in the West Midlands region. Simultaneously the UK Chief Veterinary Officer has ordered a new Avian Influenza Prevention Zone AIPZ to cover the whole of England from noon on Saturday 25 January following the escalating number of cases of avian influenza and continued heightened risk levels in wild birds.
Tuesday, January 28th 2025 - 07:41 UTC
Milei’s 2025 challenges: Between Argentina's mid-term elections and the IMF

By Alejandro Werner (*) - The author thanks Ignacio Albe, Olivier Blanchard, Martina Copelman, Joseph Gagnon, José de Gregorio, Patrick Honohan, Douglas Irwin, Maurice Obstfeld, and other PIIE colleagues for their comments and suggestions.
Tuesday, January 28th 2025 - 07:32 UTC
Like old friends, PM Starmer/Trump; and Lamy/Rubio agree to meet soon

Communication between British PM Keir Starmer cabinet and US President Donald Trump team seem very fluid, speaking like lifelong friends and buddies. That was what occurred on Monday when PM Starmer spoke to President Trump and on Sunday with Foreign Secretary David Lamy and US Secretary of State Marco Rubio. In both cases the leaders agreed to meet soon.
Monday, January 27th 2025 - 21:42 UTC
Investigation launched into attack against Venezuela's Embassy in La Paz

Bolivian Foreign Minister Celinda Sosa said her country's government had launched an investigation into the attack against Venezuela's Embassy in La Paz. “From the Government of the Plurinational State of Bolivia we strongly repudiate these vandalism acts that violate the rights and immunities of Venezuelan diplomats,” she stressed in a statement published on social media.
Monday, January 27th 2025 - 14:26 UTC
Argentine SME exports grow 17.3% in 2024

Argentina's Chamber of Medium-sized Enterprises (CAME) released a report this weekend showing an interannual growth in exports of 17.3% measured in US dollars, with total sales amounting to US$ 10.032 billion, which represented 12.5% of the country's shipments. In addition, if measured in volume, SMEs exported 8.5 million tons, a 25.1% increase from 2023. However, CAME noted that the average price per ton fell by 6.3%.
Monday, January 27th 2025 - 10:55 UTC
Petro and Trump exchange threats amid troubled deportation flights

Washington and Bogotá played cat-and-mouse this weekend after the Colombian leftwing Government Gustavo Petro refused to allow US military planes carrying deportees to land in the South American country. In response, President Donald Trump slapped 25% tariffs on all Colombian imports, after which Petro adopted a reciprocal measure.
Monday, January 27th 2025 - 09:14 UTC
Honduran President calls for “emergency” Celac Summit

Honduran President Xiomara Castro launched an appeal Sunday for leaders of the Community of Latin American and Caribbean States (Celac) to convene “urgently” to discuss the ongoing crisis sparked by US President Donald Trump's decision to speed up deportations.
Monday, January 27th 2025 - 08:57 UTC
Chinese researchers use six-legged robotic dogs in Antarctica mission

Chinese researchers proudly released pictures of the six-legged robot dogs used during the ongoing Antarctic mission at the Zhongshan polar research station this past weekend. These robot dogs can carry up to 100 kilograms of tools and materials and are suitable for operations in extreme weather conditions of -40 degrees Celsius.