Politics

• Thursday, May 8th 2025 - 10:55 UTC

  New German Chancellor wants EU-Mercosur deal expedited

  

  Germany's newly appointed Chancellor Friedrich Merz traveled on his first day in office to Paris and Warsaw to further push for European unity. With French President Emmanuel Macron he discussed bilateral ties, European security, US trade tariffs, and the Ukraine conflict. He also supported the EU-Mercosur trade agreement, despite France's reservations due to environmental concerns.

• Thursday, May 8th 2025 - 10:30 UTC

  Argentine Senate gives thumbs down to Clean Record bill

  

  Argentina's Senate rejected the “Clean Record” bill barring individuals convicted on appeal of serious crimes from running for public office, with 36 votes in favor and 35 against, falling one vote short of the required 37 for approval.

• Thursday, May 8th 2025 - 10:23 UTC

  Orsi disagrees with Pepe Mujica on PIT-CNT's role during previous gov't

  

  Uruguayan President Yamandú Orsi disagreed with former President José Pepe Mujica’s remarks about the PIT-CNT union during a May 1st event, noting he discussed “more important things” with his former mentor. He also reckoned on taking note of the labor grouping's approach, particularly regarding upcoming wage council negotiations.

• Thursday, May 8th 2025 - 09:16 UTC

  Vatican: First round of voting results in black fumata

  

  The first vote of the 2025 conclave to elect Pope Francis' successor on Wednesday ended in black smoke at 9 pm local time. According to local media, a delay was caused by a 45-minute meditation by Cardinal Raniero Cantalamessa and the inexperience of many non-Italian-speaking cardinals. Over 45,000 faithful were waiting for it in St. Peter's Square.

• Thursday, May 8th 2025 - 08:34 UTC

  Former Paraguayan President welcomes Milei's Yacyretá tariff adjustment

  

  Former Paraguayan President and Yacyretá Binational Entity (EBY) Director Nicanor Duarte Frutos said Argentine President Javier Milei's decree adjusting the energy tariff from US$ 17 to US$ 28 per megawatt-hour (MWh) was the right thing to do and insisted that the measure did not violate any treaty. It rather establishes an effective charge for energy consumption to be paid by his country's National Electricity Administration (ANDE) and the Wholesale Electricity Market Administration Company (CAMMESA).

• Wednesday, May 7th 2025 - 19:04 UTC

  Conclave to pick new Pope under session

  

  The conclave to elect Pope Francis' successor began Wednesday with 133 cardinals locked in the Sistine Chapel, isolated from the outside world. The process started with the “extra omnes” prayer, signaling the closure of the chapel doors. The cardinals, sworn to secrecy, will vote until a new pope is chosen by a two-thirds majority (89 votes). The first vote would be voting in the afternoon, with smoke -black or white- expected any minute.

• Wednesday, May 7th 2025 - 10:55 UTC

  Milei adjusts Yacyretá tariff ahead of new operating agreement

  

  Argentine President Javier Milei signed Decree No. 303/2025, authorizing a new Operating Agreement for the Yacyretá Hydroelectric Power Plant, a binational entity co-owned by Argentina and Paraguay. The agreement sets a tariff increase from US$17 to US$28 per megawatt-hour (MWh) to optimize supply, ensure financial stability, and support technological modernization

• Wednesday, May 7th 2025 - 10:41 UTC

  Brazil's STF indicts 7 others in “Parallel Abin” case

  

  Brazil's Supreme Federal Court (STF) unanimously decided to indict seven more people in connection with a coup plot during the government of former President Jair Bolsonaro.

• Wednesday, May 7th 2025 - 10:32 UTC

  Trump wants movies produced in the US

  

  US President Donald Trump announced plans to impose a 100% tariff on foreign films, citing national security concerns and the decline of the American film industry. The measure aims to counter incentives offered by other countries, like Canada and the UK, which attract US filmmakers and studios, leading to reduced production in Hollywood. “We want movies made in the United States!” he insisted.

• Wednesday, May 7th 2025 - 10:28 UTC

  Asylum-seekers at Argentina's Embassy extracted from Venezuela

  

  Venezuelan opposition leaders Pedro Urruchurtu, Humberto Villalobos, Claudia Macero, Omar González, and Magalí Meda, who had been under asylum at the Argentine Embassy in Caracas since March 20, 2024, have left Venezuela, it was reported Tuesday.