The Broad Consumer Price Index (IPCA), Brazil's official inflation metric, recorded a rate of 0.12% in July. This rate surpassed figures from the previous month (-0.08%) and July of the prior year (-0.68%), as revealed by the Brazilian Institute of Geography and Statistics on Friday (11). With this, the cumulative inflation for the year stands […]
In Ecuador, following the assassination of presidential candidate Fernando Villavicencio, President Guillermo Lasso declared a 60-day state of emergency. Villavicencio, an anti-corruption journalist, was killed post a political gathering in Quito, with the attackers believed to be Colombian. Subsequently, Estefany Puente, a National Assembly candidate from the 2-17 and 20 Alliance, was ambushed in Los […]
In 2023, Brazil's coffee shipments to China saw a remarkable rise of 102.7% in the first seven months, as reported by Brazil's Coffee Export Council (CECAFÉ) on Wednesday (9th). From January to July, China imported 408,046 bags, each weighing 60 kilograms, from Brazil, the globe's top coffee producer and exporter. During the announcement of the […]
Brazil's state-owned Banco do Brasil (BB) is evaluating holographic technology for customer service through a system termed 'Holograma BB', yet its extensive branch network deployment remains uncertain. This innovation emerges as financial technology platforms gain popularity, especially among younger, tech-savvy customers. Banco do Brasil, the nation's oldest public bank and one of its largest, seeks […]
According to industry experts, Colombian President Gustavo Petro’s intention to cease offshore hydrocarbon exploration as part of the nation’s shift to greener energy sources could jeopardize Colombia’s energy security and economic health. Despite strides in recovery, the Colombian oil industry has yet to surpass its pre-COVID-19 operations, as investor and management expert Matthew Smith noted […]
The Journalist Association of El Salvador (APES) recently voiced concerns over the perceived undermining of journalistic work by President Nayib Bukele. APES suggests these actions may be inching closer to establishing an authoritative regime. The association pointed out that the president has indicated three journalists, Bryan Avelar, Héctor Silva Ávalos, and APES director Sergio Arauz, suggesting […]
Bitcoin and Ether have exhibited minor price fluctuations and reduced trading volumes this week, leading up to the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission's (SEC) anticipated verdict on Ark Invest's Bitcoin index fund application, set for this weekend. It is speculated that the regulatory body might request an extension for the review. Bitcoin, the primary cryptocurrency, […]
In its recent monthly report, the International Energy Agency (IEA) highlighted Brazil's potential role in balancing the worldwide oil supply by 2024. This would counteract the production reductions initiated by countries like Russia and Saudi Arabia under the OPEC+ agreement, which aims at maintaining elevated oil prices. Based in Paris, the IEA adjusted its forecast […]
The recent military coup in Niger on 26 July has heightened regional tensions, potentially leading to armed intervention by the 15 member states of the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS). This unrest has severe implications for foreign economic interests, particularly China’s, as Niger has closed its airspace, intensifying the uncertainties surrounding the crisis. […]
Russia marked a significant moment in its space exploration journey by launching its first lunar landing spacecraft in 47 years on August 10. The robotic module named Luna-25 is aimed at the Moon’s south polar region, signifying Russia’s return to lunar missions since the iconic space race with the U.S. during the 1960s and 1970s. […]
In recent developments, Iran proclaimed the testing of its hypersonic cruise missile technology, positioning it as a significant stride in its defense prowess. Amidst escalating tensions in the Gulf, Iran’s announcement aligns with the US’s move to send 3,000 troops and consider deploying Marines to safeguard international tankers in the Strait of Hormuz. This timing […]
By Adolfo Sachsida* Ronald Reagan once described a government’s economic perspective succinctly: “If it moves, tax it; if it keeps moving, regulate it; and if it stops, subsidize it.” The Soviet Union’s central economic planning experiment led to widespread hunger and poverty. However, it did spur growth in areas deemed essential by central planners, such […]
Brazil's waterway sector achieved a historic milestone in the first six months of 2023, handling over 616 million tons, marking a 2.4% increase from the 601.4 million tons during the same period in 2021. The performance from January to June 2023 reflects a 6.38% jump from 2022, with March and May posting significant monthly growths […]
The Brazilian service sector experienced a 4.7% growth in the first half of 2023, as per recent findings by the Brazilian Institute of Geography and Statistics (IBGE). This boost was primarily due to a 0.2% increase from May to June, driven by a partial revival in professional, administrative, and complementary services. By June, the volume […]
In July, Brazil wrapped up internal inter-ministerial discussions regarding its response to the European Union (EU). Delays in finalizing the response arose due to conflicting interests among various governmental departments. On the 14th, President Lula approved the document, which was subsequently shared with other Mercosur members: Argentina, Uruguay, and Paraguay. With a nod from all […]
According to data from Brazil's Ministry of Foreign Affairs, in 2022, approximately 4.6 million Brazilians resided outside their home country. This figure, gathered from the ministry's 196 global outposts, reveals a 4% increase from the previous year. The United States is the primary destination, home to 1.9 million Brazilians, which is 42% of the total […]
Members of the Chilean Navy's Special Forces Command (Comfues) and the 1st Battalion of the 7th Special Forces Group (Airborne) from the US Army collaborated for Combat Search and Rescue (CSAR) training. This was part of the combined joint exercise, Estrella Austral 2023, held in the Magallanes and Chilean Antarctica region. Special forces operators from […]
From 2018 to 2022, Mexico witnessed a decline in its poverty-stricken population from 51.9 million to 46.8 million, even amid the challenges posed by the COVID-19 pandemic, as reported by the National Council for the Evaluation of Social Development Policy (Coneval). According to Coneval’s multi-dimensional poverty assessment results, the percentage of individuals living in poverty […]
Ecuadorian police have confirmed that the individuals arrested following the assassination of Ecuador’s presidential candidate, Fernando Villavicencio, are foreign nationals. The tragic event occurred during an armed assault last Wednesday. During a press briefing with Interior Minister Juan Zapata, Police Chief Fausto Salinas shared details about the incident that resulted in the tragic death of […]
Brazil is set to develop the world's inaugural facility for fueling vehicles with green hydrogen extracted from ethanol, as disclosed by the project's leaders. This pilot facility, spanning 425 square meters, will be located within the University of São Paulo (USP) campus. It boasts a production capacity of 4.5 kilograms of hydrogen per hour, sufficient […]
In the first seven months of 2023, Paraguay witnessed a 20.1% growth in its total exports, accumulating to US$9.83 billion, as per the recent foreign trade report from Paraguay’s Central Bank (BCP). This is a notable increase compared to the US$8.19 billion recorded by July 2022, reflecting deals with 129 nations. Concurrently, the total imports […]
Around 85,000 members of Argentina’s Armed Forces and Security Forces are set to oversee the upcoming PASO primary elections this Sunday. This deployment has been confirmed by the Armed Forces Joint Chiefs of Staff (Emco). During the 1982 Falklands War, Argentina deployed roughly 13,000 troops to the islands, which is 6.5 times fewer than what […]
Venezuelan President Nicolás Maduro ratified four decrees, initiating an equal number of Special Economic Zones (SEZs). These SEZs aim to amplify Venezuela’s economic framework within their broader economic recovery strategy. Maduro introduced the SEZ for La Tortuga Island (central-north) and appointed Contralmirante Aníbal Coronado Millán as its sole authority. Additionally, the SEZ of Paraguaná (northwest) […]