Ultima Hora

With both IPS angiographs out of service, the pension fund signed agreements with Hospital de Clínicas and Hospital San Jorge to handle urgent cases. Five insured individuals have already been treated. The pension fund states that one device will be repaired soon and that it will begin the process to acquire three new machines.

With the arrival of autumn and winter, a period of increased respiratory virus circulation, Paraguayan experts reinforce the importance of influenza vaccination for older adults, a group vulnerable to serious complications such as pneumonia and hospitalization. Doses are available in the public health network and at IPS.

The department of Ñeembucú, a stronghold of Vice President Pedro Alliana, remains immune to information requests, with the government bench and Deputy Fabiana Souto, Alliana's wife, systematically rejecting the requests. Opposition member Diosnel Aguilera denounces the existence of a 'chain of command' to block transparency.

In homilies at the Basilica of Caacupé and the Metropolitan Cathedral, Cardinal Adalberto Martínez and Bishop Ricardo Valenzuela warned that excessive use of AI can undermine critical thinking and human relationships, based on the message of Pope Leo XIV for the 60th World Communications Day.

Threats of school shootings in Paraguay, driven by viral challenges on social media, reveal a lack of family oversight and mobilize the Ministry of Education, Police, and Public Prosecutor's Office to strengthen security and prevention protocols.

A new artificial intelligence trend creating hyper-realistic videos of people in packed stadiums has gone viral in Paraguay, while the band Korn returned to the country after 13 years with a show at the Jockey Club.

The Public Prosecutor's Office clarified that there is no confirmation that the 7-year-old boy, found dead alongside his mother in Lambaré, was a victim of sexual abuse, as alleged by the mother in a complaint filed in December 2024. A medical examination ruled out physical injuries and signs of sexual violence, and the child did not attend scheduled psychological interviews.

Paraguay's Mother's Day on Friday, May 15, 2026, will bring fresh morning temperatures, afternoon highs of 21–25°C, mostly cloudy skies, and scattered showers with possible thunderstorms in the north and east, according to the Dirección de Meteorología e Hidrología (DMH).

Aina Clotet's debut film, 'Viva,' premiered at the Cannes Film Festival's Semaine de la Critique, presenting a comedic yet profound look at a 40-year-old scientist's pursuit of life and personal reinvention after overcoming breast cancer. The film, set against the backdrop of an extreme drought in Catalonia, uses humor to tackle themes of mental health, love, and the search for inner strength.

Paraguay's ambassador to the US, Gustavo Leite, disclosed that the government offered American Airlines $5 million in subsidies for the Asunción-Miami route, a deal that fell through. After a subsequent agreement with GOL also stalled, Senator Rafael Filizzola accused President Peña and Leite of secret negotiations, while Dinac denied having budget authority for such payments.

US President Donald Trump said he discussed Taiwan with Chinese President Xi Jinping during their summit in Beijing but made no commitments. He will decide on arms sales to Taiwan soon. The meeting reflects broader US-China rivalry and economic pressures.

A man identified as Juan Arzamendia, reportedly intoxicated, was arrested early Friday after breaking into the 8th Company of the Volunteer Fire Corps in Capiatá, causing damage to the station and a volunteer's vehicle. He claimed to be a military member and said he would cover the costs.

The Asunción Stock Exchange (BVA) saw a 1% drop in trading volume in the first four months of 2026 compared to the same period last year, driven by bank liquidity recovery and unclear interest rate trends, according to broker Cadiem and reported by Ultima Hora.

A forensic autopsy has confirmed that 26-year-old Mariza Paola Balbuena Medina died from severe blunt force trauma to the head, ruling out sharp weapons. Her partner, Juan Antonio González, who has a prior domestic violence record and an outstanding arrest warrant, is the prime suspect in what authorities are investigating as a femicide.

Three pre-candidates for councilor in the Paraguayan capital denounced the existence of parallel cash collection systems in Markets 4 and Abasto, as well as at the Asunción Bus Station, with daily collections allegedly reaching 100 million guaranis. They claim the scheme has been operating for over eight years and involves municipal employees and outsiders.

On World Telecommunications Day, the National Institute of Statistics (INE) reported that 85.4% of the population aged 10 or older accessed the internet in 2025, with women and urban areas leading, although the exclusion of Boquerón and Alto Paraguay limits the data's scope.

The World Health Organization declared a public health emergency of international concern this Sunday due to an Ebola outbreak caused by the Bundibugyo strain, which has already killed 88 people in the Democratic Republic of the Congo and spread to Uganda. The lack of a vaccine and specific treatment for this variant, combined with instability in the Goma region controlled by the M23 armed group, has raised global alarm.

A large fire consumed a commercial establishment at Limpio Market, Central Department, on the afternoon of May 18. Volunteer firefighters controlled the flames and there were no injuries, only material damage. The cause of the fire remains unknown.

On Saturday, May 17, two homicides were recorded in Cambyretá, Itapúa. A 28-year-old man was found dead with a gunshot wound to the head on a rural road, and another charred body was discovered inside a burned vehicle. Investigations are ongoing.

Yani Areco, a Paraguayan from Bella Vista Norte, was expelled from a bus in Chile after a passenger mistook the eucalyptus aroma of her mate for marijuana. The argument escalated with insults in Guarani, and both were disembarked by the driver.

The Paraguayan government vehemently condemned the drone attack on the Barakah nuclear plant in the United Arab Emirates, which occurred on May 17, 2026. The incident, which caused a controlled fire outside the facility's inner perimeter, takes place amid escalating tensions between Iran and Gulf countries.

The Laguna Pato community, in the Presidente Hayes Department of the Paraguayan Chaco, has again protested against the lack of state action. Leader Nanencio Amarilla traveled to Asunción to demand concrete measures from the Paraguayan Institute of Indigenous Affairs (Indi) after six years of unfulfilled promises.

Two violent robberies were recorded over the weekend in the Department of Alto Paraná. In Juan León Mallorquín, a motel employee was held up by two armed men; in Ciudad del Este, five criminals invaded a residence and stole electronics and cash. Police seized ammunition at the scene of the second crime.

Advisers to U.S. President Donald Trump have warned that the risk of a Chinese invasion of Taiwan within the next five years has increased following the meeting with Xi Jinping in Beijing. Trump stated he does not seek war over the island but suggested Xi might act after his term.