Stories for 2025

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new decision, the previous rule allowing international shipments valued under US$800 to enter the country duty-free has been revoked, and all items are now subject to taxation.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.
Friday, August 29th 2025 - 10:19 UTC
Paraguay's Senate wants to explore shifting from Taipei to Beijing ties

Paraguay's Senate has requested a report from the Foreign Ministry as to the reasons for the country's continued diplomatic recognition of Taiwan instead of mainland China. Paraguay is currently the only South American nation to formally recognize Taiwan.
Friday, August 29th 2025 - 09:52 UTC
Uruguay and Brazil sign across-the-border health agreement

Health Ministers Cristina Lustemberg of Uruguay and Alexandre Padilha of Brazil have signed an agreement to create a binational health commission to improve healthcare services in their border regions.
Thursday, August 28th 2025 - 21:08 UTC
Messi's last international game on home soil is just days away

Argentine footballing star Lionel Messi confirmed that his upcoming South American World Cup qualifying match against Venezuela on Sept. 4 will be his last home game with the national team.