Chile’s president-elect, José Antonio Kast, visited El Salvador’s mega-prison for gang members on Friday and asked President Nayib Bukele for “cooperation” to improve security in Chile’s prisons. Visits to the Terrorism Confinement Center (Cecot) are part of the usual protocol for Bukele’s special guests. Bukele has turned the prison into a symbol of the crackdown …

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New rules for visa-exempt tourists heading to the United States may drive away millions of visitors and hit the country’s economy hard. A recent study points to potential drops in arrivals and spending, raising questions about the balance between security and economic growth. The World Travel and Tourism Council released findings on Wednesday showing that …

Read more “US Entry Rule Changes Could Cost Billions in Tourism Losses”

In her living room, Priscilla Herrera safeguards, alongside Vaquita, her mixed-breed dog, hundreds of ballots for Sunday’s elections in Costa Rica, where citizens are entrusted with helping ensure the transparency of the process. It is a singular case in Latin America, where electoral materials are usually stored in warehouses under the watch of soldiers and …

Read more “Costa Ricans Keep Election Ballots at Home in Rare Trust Based Voting System”

Carlos Alcaraz fought through the longest semifinal in Australian Open history to defeat Alexander Zverev and advance to the men’s singles final. The top-seeded Spaniard won 6-4, 7-6(5), 6-7(3), 6-7(4), 7-5 in a five-set contest that lasted five hours and 27 minutes on Rod Laver Arena during the evening session. Alcaraz started strong, breaking Zverev …

Read more “Alcaraz Edges Zverev in Five-Set Epic to Reach Australian Open Final”

With national elections set for February 1, the Supreme Electoral Tribunal (TSE) has stepped up reminders that only the physical cédula de identidad qualifies as valid identification at polling stations. The recently introduced Identidad Digital Costarricense (IDC) will not work for voting, leaving many to double-check their wallets before heading out. The TSE rolled out …

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Five presidential candidates faced off in the final televised debate on Thursday night, laying out their visions for tackling Costa Rica’s pressing challenges in security, the economy, and public services. Hosted by Telenoticias on Teletica Canal 7, the event gave Álvaro Ramos of the Partido Liberación Nacional (PLN), Claudia Dobles of the Coalición Agenda Ciudadana …

Read more “Final Debate Sharpens Voter Choices Ahead of Costa Rica’s Election”

Over 30 Costa Rican artists have released a video titled “Voces por la democracia” to speak out against authoritarian threats facing the country. The release comes during the final days of the election campaign, just before the presidential vote on February 1, 2026. The video urges people to vote and highlights risks to press freedom. …

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Venezuela’s National Assembly has passed a landmark reform to its hydrocarbons law, marking a significant shift toward opening the country’s vast oil reserves to private and foreign investors. The move comes amid intense pressure from the United States following the capture of former President Nicolás Maduro earlier this month. The legislation, approved unanimously on Thursday, …

Read more “Under U.S. Influence, Venezuela Eases State Grip on Oil for Economic Revival”

Panama’s Supreme Court on Thursday annulled the concession under which the Hong Kong company CK Hutchison operated two ports on the Panama Canal, a decision rejected by the firm and by the Chinese government, which promised to “protect” the interests of its companies. The ruling comes amid repeated threats by President Donald Trump to retake …

Read more “Panama Cancels Canal Concession as China Vows to Protect Firms”

Aryna Sabalenka moved one step closer to her third title at the Australian Open with a straight-sets win over Elina Svitolina in the semifinals on January 28, 2026. The top seed from Belarus defeated the Ukrainian player 6-2, 6-3 in 72 minutes on Rod Laver Arena, setting up a final against Elena Rybakina. Sabalenka broke …

Read more “Sabalenka and Rybakina Advance to Australian Open Final After Semifinal Wins”