Stories for 2025

Tuesday, January 7th 2025 - 07:13 UTC
Indonesia joins BRICS as full member, Brasilia confirms

Brazil's government confirmed Monday that Indonesia had joined the BRICS bloc as a full member, making it the first country to do so this year, Agencia Brasil reported. The alliance now has the fourth largest population on the planet, with the new partner's 284 million inhabitants making it the 10th largest economy in terms of purchasing power parity, according to the World Bank.
Monday, January 6th 2025 - 22:00 UTC
Paraguay recognizes Edmundo González Urrutia as President-elect and breaks diplomatic ties with Caracas

The Paraguayan Government of President Santiago Peña Monday announced it was recognizing Edmundo González Urrutia of the opposition Unitarian Democratic Platform (PUD) as the legitimate winner of the July 28, 2024, elections in Venezuela, which prompted a diplomatic breakup with Nicolás Maduro's regime.
Monday, January 6th 2025 - 20:27 UTC
Trudeau announces his resignation as Prime Minister of Canada

Justin Trudeau announced Monday his resignation as Prime Minister of Canada after nine years in office. His stepping down would become effective once the Liberal Party finds a new leader “through a competitive and rigorous process at the national level.”
Monday, January 6th 2025 - 10:45 UTC
González Urrutia recalls that his inauguration would make him commander-in-chief of Venezuela's armed forces

Venezuelan opposition leader Edmundo González Urrutia who insists he won the controversial July 28 elections and will be sworn in next Friday in Caracas warned his country's armed forces that, as of that day, he will become their “commander in chief.” As such, he demanded absolute loyalty, which has nonetheless been pledged to the incumbent Nicolás Maduro.
Monday, January 6th 2025 - 10:38 UTC
María Corina Machado calls for mass protests against Maduro in Venezuela

Opposition leader María Corina Machado on Sunday called for a day of demonstrations on Thursday, January 9 in Venezuela, the eve of Nicolás Maduro's swearing-in for a third term, amid allegations of electoral fraud.
Monday, January 6th 2025 - 09:49 UTC
Messi gets US Presidential Medal of Freedom but skips awarding ceremony

Argentine footballing legend Lionel Messi was among the recipients of the United States Presidential Medal of Freedom but skipped the awarding ceremony Saturday at the White House citing previous engagements.
Monday, January 6th 2025 - 09:28 UTC
Brazilian nun becomes oldest person alive after death of Japanese woman

A Japanese woman considered to be the world's longest-lived person died on Dec. 29 at 116 years old at a nursing home in the city of Ashiya in the Hyogo Prefecture, it was reported Saturday. A Brazilian nun is now the oldest person alive.
Monday, January 6th 2025 - 09:16 UTC
Israeli soldier vacationing in Brazil flees to Argentina to avoid arrest for Gaza war crimes

An Israeli national who was vacationing in Brazil had to flee in a rush to Argentina to avoid being prosecuted there for alleged war crimes committed while deployed in Gaza as a member of the Kfir Brigade.
Monday, January 6th 2025 - 09:02 UTC
Bolivian inflation soars amid political unrest and poor weather

According to a report released Sunday by Bolivia's National Statistics Institute (INE), the South American country's inflation last year stood at 9.97% amid poor weather, social conflicts, and road blockades that deteriorated the economy considerably. INE Director Humberto Arandia also pointed out that the 2024 figure was the highest in the last 16 years.
Monday, January 6th 2025 - 08:30 UTC
Meloni pays visit to Trump's Mar-a-Lago residence

US President-elect Donald Trump and Italian Prime Minister Georgia Meloni met at the former's Mar-a-Lago residence in Florida after their encounter was arranged in the utmost secrecy. The gathering consisted of a private dinner, the screening of a documentary, and an exchange of views on bilateral matters.