Latest Latin America News & Updates

New Delhi, May 5 (IANS) Apple’s iPhone 17 emerged as the world’s best-selling smartphone in the first quarter of 2026, capturing 6 per cent of global unit sales, according to a report released on Tuesday.According to analysis by Counterpoint Research, the iPhone 17 series dominated the charts, securing the top three positions, while Samsung’s Galaxy A series had the widest presence with five models in the top 10 list.The top 10 smartphones accounted for 25 per cent of global unit sales dur…

Riyadh, May 2 (IANS) The USS Gerald R. Ford aircraft carrier has left the Middle East after taking part in operations against Iran, local media reported, citing a US official. The move leaves two US aircraft carriers in the region — the USS Abraham Lincoln and USS George H.W. Bush.The Ford had been at sea for more than 10 months, breaking the post-Vietnam War record for a US aircraft carrier deployment.On March 12, two sailors aboard the carrier were injured when a fire broke out in the main la…

Tokyo, May 1 (IANS) Japan purchased a shipment of Russian oil on Friday, which is the first purchase since February 2022. Japan relies on West Asia for over 90 per cent of its crude oil imports, the majority of which pass through the Strait of Hormuz, and has been releasing its national oil reserves to stabilise domestic supply.The oil purchased from Russia, carried by the oil tanker Voyager, is expected to arrive at the port of Kikuma on Shikoku Island on May 3, according to the Russian state-o…

Washington, May 1 (IANS) A Pakistani national has pleaded guilty to leading an international human smuggling network that brought migrants into the United States using sham film production companies, the Justice Department said.Abbas Ali Haider, 49, of Sialkot, admitted to running a years-long conspiracy that moved Pakistani nationals through Latin America to the US-Mexico border, according to court documents.Prosecutors said Haider operated two fake companies — Diamond TV World Productions an…

Washington, April 29 (IANS) China’s growing global influence drew sharp attention at a US Senate hearing, with diplomatic nominees warning of Beijing’s expanding footprint across Latin America, Africa and parts of Eurasia.Testifying before the Senate Foreign Relations Committee, several nominees flagged China’s economic and strategic outreach as a direct challenge to US interests.Juan Rodriguez, nominated as US ambassador to Guatemala, said: “China’s economic expansion in the Western H…

Tokyo, April 25 (IANS) Japanese Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi has held a key meeting on the situation in the Middle East and said Japan expects to secure around 60 per cent of its crude oil needs for May through routes that do not pass the Strait of Hormuz.The PM’s Office of Japan, quoting Sanae Takaichi, wrote on X: “I held a Ministerial Meeting on the Situation in the Middle East. Regarding alternative crude oil procurement that does not pass through the Strait of Hormuz, we have an outlook fo…

Paris, April 18 (IANS) French President Emmanuel Macron said that Iran’s announcement of reopening the Strait of Hormuz goes in the right direction. Macron made the remarks in a joint declaration following a conference co-hosted by France and Britain in Paris on Friday (local time), which brought together 49 countries to discuss securing freedom of navigation in the Strait of Hormuz.British Prime Minister Keir Starmer, German Chancellor Friedrich Merz and Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni at…

New Delhi, April 16 (IANS) International Energy Agency chief Fatih Birol on Thursday warned that air travel in Europe would be hit due to a shortage of jet fuel if the Strait of Hormuz remains closed, as stocks were already running low. Europe may have “only maybe 6 weeks or so of jet fuel left”, and there could soon be flight cancellations if supplies remained blocked, Birol told the Associated Press.Stocks would reach a tipping point in June if Europe was unable to replace at least half of its…

Washington, April 16 (IANS) The United States expects the ongoing conflict involving Iran to ease within weeks, with the Energy Secretary expressing confidence that the economic impact, particularly on oil markets, will remain contained.Speaking at a Wall Street Journal policy discussion, US Energy Secretary Chris Wright said the situation would not trigger prolonged economic strain despite a temporary spike in fuel prices.“I think the conflict will be resolved in the next few weeks,” Wright…

Washington, April 15 (IANS) The Intergovernmental Group of Twenty-Four (G-24) warned of a sharp deterioration in global economic conditions, citing conflicts, supply disruptions and financial pressures that could weigh heavily on emerging economies.In a communique issued after its ministerial meeting in Washington, the G-24 said global growth is projected to decline in 2026 compared to 2025, as the fallout from the war in the Middle East and other crises ripples across energy markets and supply …