Argentina has implemented a monetary policy benefiting digital nomads and foreigners, by offering them a better currency conversion rate from U.S. dollars to Argentine pesos than the locals receive. Nicknamed the "foreign tourist dollar", this scheme was introduced in response to the influx of tech workers attracted by Argentina's cheaper lifestyle following the peso's depreciation. […]
The National Institute of Statistics (INE) has reported a 52.6% increase in the number of guests at Cape Verdean hotels in the first quarter of 2023, totaling 216,000 visitors. The figure represents a 7.5% decrease compared to the pre-pandemic first quarter of 2019. However, the total overnight stays for the quarter were 1,302,979, an increase […]
The national currency of Angola, the kwanza, has experienced a sharp devaluation of 12% within a week, resulting in a current exchange rate of 682 kwanzas per dollar. This is a significant drop from 610 kwanzas per dollar the previous Tuesday, as reported by the National Bank of Angola (BNA). This depreciation signifies an additional […]
Umaro Sissoco Embaló, the President of Guinea-Bissau, has commended the armed forces for their "exemplary behavior" in ensuring the recent legislative elections were conducted in a peaceful, orderly, and transparent fashion. During a military parade at the Armed Forces General Staff in Bissau, President Embaló expressed his gratitude for the professionalism of the defense and […]
Brazil's largest banks have extended their fierce competition for high-income and private clients to the shores of Florida. This transnational rivalry has escalated in recent months, marked by the recruitment of new management teams, launching new operations, and aggressive marketing investments. The surge in interest is driven by the growing number of affluent Brazilians visiting, […]
Brazilians visiting Argentina will soon be able to make purchases using Pix, thanks to an initiative by US fintech company Fiserv. This feature is expected to simplify transactions for Brazilian tourists, eliminating the need to exchange currency. However, the launch date for this service has not been specified yet. Payments will be processed via QR […]
United Nations Secretary-General António Guterres has introduced a policy plan aimed at eliminating content from digital platforms that contradicts what he terms the “empirically supported consensus on facts, science, and knowledge.” The initiative, outlined in his policy brief “Information Integrity on Digital Platforms,” responds to what Guterres identifies as an existential threat – disseminating misinformation […]
In an interview with Sputnik, Paraguay’s incoming Foreign Minister, Rubén Ramírez Lezcano, expressed readiness to foster diplomatic ties with China without any preconditions while maintaining the country’s existing relationship with Taiwan. Ramírez Lezcano, who previously served as the foreign minister from 2006 to 2008, said that the next government would be open to dialogue and […]
The European Union’s Internal Market Commissioner, Thierry Breton, recently expressed dissatisfaction when Elon Musk decided to withdraw Twitter from the EU’s “voluntary code of practice against disinformation.” Breton emphasized the importance of the upcoming Digital Service Act (DSA) for tackling disinformation, stating, “Beyond voluntary commitments, fighting disinformation will be a legal obligation under DSA as […]
Latin America has become an increasingly attractive region for mergers and acquisitions (M&A), despite global economic uncertainty, reveals a study by consulting firm KPMG. Once considered risky due to political, social, and economic complexities, the region now offers unprecedented investment opportunities. According to the KPMG 2023 M&A in Latam Survey, the most attractive Latin American […]
The demographic landscapes of Sweden and Germany are undergoing drastic transformations, primarily due to mass migration. Bernhard Zimniok, a politician from Alternative für Deutschland, developed an interactive map illustrating these significant changes. The interactive tool vividly portrays Sweden’s demographic alterations from 2002 to 2020, using data from Statistics Sweden. It categorizes individuals of foreign origin […]
Brazil's President Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva has announced a strategy for peaceful agrarian reform. In a live broadcast, Lula mentioned his directive to the Minister of Agrarian Development and Family Agriculture, Paulo Teixeira, to survey all unused lands that can be allocated to agrarian reform. The aim is to avoid land invasions and conflicts […]
President Andrés Manuel López Obrador of Mexico has appointed Alicia Bárcena, the country’s current ambassador to Chile, as the successor to Marcelo Ebrard as head of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs (SRE). Ebrard stepped down from his role to run as the ruling Morena party’s candidate for the 2024 elections. Bárcena, a seasoned diplomat and […]
Claudia Sheinbaum, the Head of Government for Mexico City, announced her resignation effective June 16, intending to pursue a presidential candidacy for the 2024 Mexican election. Sheinbaum, if successful, could become the first woman to lead the nation. Last week, after Marcelo Ebrard resigned as Secretary of Foreign Affairs, Sheinbaum did not comment on her […]
Argentinians are leading Latin America in holding the most cash and deposits abroad due to the country’s high inflation, successive devaluations, and a history of economic crisis. The data, shared by Martín Castellano, head of Latam Research at the International Institute of Finance (IIF), reveals that Argentinians have approximately US$250 billion, or nearly 40% of […]
Raízen, a Brazilian energy company, has expressed its ambition to become a global leader in sustainable aviation fuel (SAF), leveraging second-generation ethanol (E2G) produced from common ethanol and sugar manufacturing residues. The company sees a unique opportunity in the aviation industry's search for decarbonization solutions. Raízen's CEO Ricardo Mussa stated in an article in Bloomberg […]
Illegal sand extraction in Brazil escalated to an estimated US$5 (RS$20) billion in 2021 due to increased demand from the civil construction sector. Researcher Luiz Fernando Ramadan, in a review of a 2015 survey, suggested that sand mining could be 60% illegal. Ramadan, a federal police officer, calculated this illegality by comparing it to annual […]
Peru’s Congress has approved a bill to reinstate the two-chambered legislative system, a move that political analyst Martin Manco says is driven by legislators’ desire to stay in power. Manco says Peru’s political structure is “quite regrettable and critical” given its reluctance to step down. The proposed bill, which advocates splitting Peru’s Congress into a […]
Cuban Foreign Minister Bruno Rodríguez Parrilla has rebuffed allegations by US Secretary of State Antony Blinken concerning the existence of a purported Chinese espionage base in Cuba. On his Twitter account, Parrilla stated that Blinken’s claims were unfounded and emphasized Cuba’s clear and categorical position on the issue. Blinken had previously announced that China upgraded […]
By Adriano Pires (Opinon) Electric vehicles (EVs) are again a hot topic in Brazil's transportation conversations. While developed countries see electric models as the automotive industry's future, the outlook in Brazil remains uncertain. The path to electrification requires numerous adjustments in the transportation sector, from road infrastructure to technology access. These changes are already happening […]
From Caracas to Tokyo, traversing through New York, Paris, and Hong Kong, on street corners or in high-end restaurants, the arepas—a cornmeal dish from Venezuela—is making a worldwide mark. The expanding "gluten-free" market and Venezuelan diaspora have fueled the global popularity of arepas. Arepas start with a mix of pre-cooked cornmeal, salt, and water. This […]
By André Aram An unexpected opportunity paved the way for a profitable venture. This is how fisherman Daniel Gomes, 45, describes the surprising success of his houseboat in Uberlândia, in Brazil's Minas Gerais state. Initially, Gomes had no plans to monetize the 'waterfront property'; however, a relative's social media post about the houseboat prompted the […]
The Defense Force of Trinidad and Tobago celebrated the addition of 214 recruits to its team at a ceremony conducted at the Teteron Barracks military base in Chaguaramas. The event was spearheaded by the Minister of National Security, Fitzgerald Hinds, and notable attendees included the Chief of the Defense Staff, Air Vice-Marshal Darryl Daniel, Deputy […]
Ecuador embarks on the final stages of assembling its electoral board for the upcoming extraordinary presidential and legislative elections scheduled for August 20. Political parties have until Tuesday to register their candidates with the National Electoral Council (CNE). The registration phase for alliances and internal elections to select candidates concluded last Saturday. Three candidates are […]
Brazil's President, Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva, voiced concern to Ursula von der Leyen, the President of the European Commission, regarding the extra conditions the European Union proposed in March for the trade agreement with the Southern Common Market (Mercosur). During a joint press statement following their meeting at the Planalto Palace, the presidential office, […]