Stories for 2025

Friday, May 23rd 2025 - 10:43 UTC
New fuel shortage hits Bolivia due to logistical delays

Bolivia is grappling with a severe fuel crisis, marked by long vehicle lines at petrol stations in major cities like La Paz, El Alto, Cochabamba, and Santa Cruz, caused by a partial strike by tanker transporters demanding higher freight rates and logistical delays at the Chilean port of Arica.
Friday, May 23rd 2025 - 10:34 UTC
UK to try chemical castration for sex offenders to tackle prison overcrowding

The United Kingdom will adopt on a trial basis a new program to chemically castrate sex offenders in 20 prisons across two regions to reduce recurrence rates by up to 60%, as part of broader sentencing reforms while addressing overcrowding at detention facilities, Justice Secretary Shabana Mahmood announced Thursday.
Friday, May 23rd 2025 - 10:27 UTC
Telefónica sells Movistar Uruguay to Millicom

The Spanish company Telefónica, through its subsidiary Telefónica Hispanoamérica, sold its Movistar Uruguay business to Millicom, a Luxembourg-based company operating under the Tigo brand, as part of its strategy to reduce its presence in Latin America. The transaction, announced to the Spanish National Securities Market Commission (CNMV), is now subject to regulatory approvals. It is also a part of Telefónica's asset divestment plan, following sales in Argentina, Colombia, and Peru in 2024, totaling over US$2 billion.
Friday, May 23rd 2025 - 10:09 UTC
Punta Tombo penguin massacre: Conviction upheld on appeal

A Court of Appeals is the city of Trelew in thee Argentine province of Chubut upheld this week the conviction of Ricardo La Regina, a cattle rancher found guilty of environmental damage and animal cruelty for using heavy machinery to open a road in a protected area, causing the death of 240 Magellanic penguins and destroying their nests in the Punta Tombo reserve.
Thursday, May 22nd 2025 - 19:52 UTC
Falkland Islands reaffirm right to self-determination amid Chagos sovereignty talks

The Falkland Islands Legislative Assembly issued a public statement on Thursday acknowledging the UK Government’s recent decision to move forward with a sovereignty transfer of the Chagos Archipelago to Mauritius. The Assembly welcomed reassurances that the Falklands’ status remains unaffected.
Thursday, May 22nd 2025 - 19:00 UTC
US sanctions against De Moraes not to be ruled out

US Secretary of State Marco Rubio admitted he was considering the possibility of sanctioning Brazilian Supreme Federal Court (STF) Justice Alexandre de Moraes under the Global Magnitsky Act for alleged human rights violations. The magistrate is targeting former President Jair Bolsonaro for the alleged Jan. 8, 2023, coup attempt, together with many of his aides and followers.
Thursday, May 22nd 2025 - 18:45 UTC
Argentine national among alleged conspirators arrested in Venezuela

Nationals of Argentina, Bulgaria, and Spain have been arrested in Venezuela. They were accused of plotting to “sabotage, by violent means,” the country ahead of the May 25 regional and legislative elections. According to Interior Minister Diosdado Cabello, the group was intercepted at sea with 200 kilos of gunpowder, allegedly part of a conspiracy linked to fugitive former commissioner Iván Simonovis and opposition leader María Corina Machado.
Thursday, May 22nd 2025 - 10:56 UTC
Montevideo summons Israeli ambassador over West Bank incidents

Uruguay's Foreign Ministry Wednesday summoned Israeli Ambassador Michal Hershkovitz, after fire was opened on a diplomatic delegation in the Middle East, including Uruguayan Ambassador Fernando Arroyo, during a visit to Jenin, West Bank, to assess the humanitarian situation. Although no one was injured, Uruguay demanded an inquiry and that the safety of the diplomatic personnel be ensured.
Thursday, May 22nd 2025 - 10:52 UTC
Brazil accounted for most of the world's forest fires last year

Brazil topped the world last year in forest fires, accounting for 42% of the global loss of primary tropical forests. The extreme heat of the year, exacerbated by climate change and El Niño, intensified fires, which destroyed more forest than agribusiness activities for the first time. The worst drought ever recorded contributed to a sixfold increase in fire-related deforestation compared to 2023.
Thursday, May 22nd 2025 - 10:47 UTC
Paraguay strengthens ties with Japan through Peña's visit

Japan has elevated Paraguay to a “strategic partner” status during President Santiago Peña's visit, marking a century of diplomatic relations. This strengthens ties through trust, cooperation, and mutual development. Japan approved a US$ 240 million credit for transformative infrastructure projects in the South American country, plus visa-free entry for short-term Paraguayan travelers and a political consultation agreement to deepen cooperation.