
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.

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.

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.

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).

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.

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

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.

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.

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.

Friedrich Merz of the Christian Democratic Union (CDU) was elected Chancellor of Germany on Tuesday after the second round of Bundestag voting, in which he was given 325 endorsements (thus surpassing the 316 minimum requirement), with 289 rejections and one abstention. No prospective chancellor in post-war Germany had previously failed the first vote after securing a coalition agreement.