*Paraguay’s chamber of deputies has approved the government’s 2025 budget proposal of some G$132.9trn (US$16.93bn), an increase of 14% in comparison to the 2024 budget. Federal deputy Cristina Villalba, head of the lower chamber’s budget commission, stated that the commission introduced modifications to the bill submitted by the executive branch regarding the established budgetary ceilings. She said these changes did not affect “sensitive sectors” such as education, health, social programmes, and security. Among the modifications, Villalba stated that budgetary credits were reallocated for a total amount of G$159bn for the creation of new courts and allocations of resources for the defence ministry, universities, and hospitals. The proposal now passes to the senate for approval.