Javier Milei and the minarchist movement in Argentina – Javier Milei is a significant figure in Argentina’s political landscape, as he is currently the favorite in the country’s presidential elections. The media often label him as an “extreme right” candidate, but he prefers to define himself as a minarchist. Minarchy, or night-watchman state, is a […]
Angola hoards over one million carats of diamonds in anticipation of better prices, said José Ganga Júnior, Endiama's President to the LUSA agency. Endiama is the state-owned company responsible for Angola's diamond mining and trading activities. It is officially known as Empresa Nacional de Diamantes de Angola, E.P. (Endiama). He commented during the semi-annual diamond […]
Colombia’s unemployment is down to single digits. In July, Colombia’s unemployment was 9.6%, a 1.4 percentage point decrease from 11% last year, says the National Administrative Department of Statistics DANE. They also reported a global participation rate increase of 1.3 percentage points to 64.8% from 2022’s 63.5%. The employment rate rose by 2.1 percentage points […]
Shipping firms are forced to pay record sums for fast passage through a backlog of ships waiting to traverse the Panama Canal. A drought exacerbated this situation. A company recently paid US$2.4 million, plus a $400,000 standard fee, for expedited vessel passage, reported Avance Gas Holding Ltd. The ship queue has grown due to drought-induced […]
UBS has achieved a historic milestone by recording a quarterly profit of US$29 billion, unprecedented in the banking industry, following the emergency takeover of Credit Suisse. Consequently, the Zurich-based bank is reinforcing its dominant position as a global leader in wealth management. With a target of surpassing US$10 billion in cost savings by 2026, the […]
The U.S. has ceded its corn export crown to Brazil, possibly forever. For over fifty years, the United States held sway over the international corn market, exporting more of this essential commodity than any other nation. Recently, Brazil surpassed the US in corn exports. This change could be permanent. In 2023, the US accounted for […]
Chile's government announced the end of the COVID-19 health emergency on Thursday, ending a status in effect since February 2020. Government figures show that 5.2 million people contracted COVID-19 in Chile, resulting in 61,639 deaths. The 1,301-day measure granted authorities special powers to address the crisis, but it also drew criticism from many quarters. While […]
Guatemala’s health ministry declared a national health emergency due to a dengue epidemic causing 22 deaths and 12,263 cases. The decree orders relevant institutions, including government agencies, to implement measures for disease control and care. Cases surged 152% compared to last year, especially among those under 14. Forewarned in February, the Ministry of Health confirmed […]
China is going through a tough time economically, with its manufacturing industry shrinking for the fifth straight month. A key indicator called PMI is below 50, which means the industry is contracting. This is happening because there is less demand globally, and people in China are spending less. Even though the shrinkage was less than […]
(Opinion) Of late, I’ve been waiting for the other shoe to drop. It’s more a general anxious feeling that something momentous is about to happen and we don’t know what or when. And I’m not the only one with this feeling. Lots of my Brazilian friends have the same angst. Where they never did this […]
The Brazilian Army is buying 12-16 new Sikorsky UH-60M Black Hawk helicopters to replace older ones in its 2nd, 3rd, and 4th BAVEx units. These new helicopters can carry and launch advanced missiles and rockets, which is important for operations in the Amazon and central-western regions. The goal is to update the fleet, not make […]
In July, the Brazilian government continued to incur debt. Lula's government dues increased to 74.1% of its GDP, up 0.5% from June. This means the liabilities increased from R$7.6 trillion (US$1.57 trillion) to R$7.7 trillion (US$1.59 trillion). The Central Bank shared this information on August 31, 2023. This debt includes money owed by federal, INSS, […]
Istanbul, a city larger than São Paulo, risks running out of water. The water level in Turkey’s largest city reservoirs is below 30%, raising water cut concerns, says ISKI, a public utility. The current 29.2% capacity is the lowest since 2014. ISKI, urging reduced consumption, has warned of potential cuts for weeks. ISKI stopped water […]
FARC dissident Andrey Avendaño wants a ceasefire before talking about peace with the Colombian government from Cauca, a group stronghold. The dissidents, who rejected the 2016 peace deal, are now in talks with President Gustavo Petro without a fixed start date. Petro, Colombia’s first left-wing president, is trying to solve the conflict by talking with […]
In Mexico, two women could be the main contenders for a historic presidential election. Right-wing Senator Xóchitl Gálvez is the sole opposition candidate for the 2024 Mexican presidential election. She might face Claudia Sheinbaum, former mayor of Mexico City and ruling party frontrunner. Alejandro Moreno, PRI national leader, announced support for Gálvez as the Broad […]
Reviving ancient techniques, Chilean winemakers in central valleys combat weather insecurities such as water scarcity and climate change. They manage the decade-long drought in Colchagua and Cachapoal by harvesting at night, using horse manure, and reviving old methods. A communications chief at Conosur says they are returning to previous practices but on a larger, systematic […]
The Sudan conflict between General Abdel Fattah al-Burhan’s army and General Mohamed Hamdan Daglo’s RSF has caused a booming arms trade. Thousands have died, and millions have been displaced. Rising arms prices, frequent seizures, and new dealers indicate a thriving market. Authorities try to intercept RSF-destined weapons, but the RSF denies this. Traders exploit the […]
Lula is launching the 'Brazil Without Hunger' plan to eliminate food insecurity. The initiative aims to remove Brazil from the UN Hunger Map by 2030. The event in Teresina, Piauí, will host representatives from 24 ministries of CAISAN. The plan aims to reduce households' poverty rates and severe food insecurity annually. The Planalto reports the […]
Due to climate change, Lake Titicaca, the world’s highest navigable lake, is nearing its lowest water levels. This prompts questions about measures to prevent its disappearance. Antonio Colque noted the lake’s receding waters dried the totora reeds, causing illness in his cattle. This forced him to burn the plants, as he couldn’t afford a veterinarian. […]
The Paraguayan government introduced a plan to eliminate border smuggling. This supports local industries, enhances tax collection, and prevents money laundering. Economist Víctor Benítez told local media the initiative addresses local industrialists’ and producers’ concerns. The administration announced the plan shortly after Santiago Peña took office. Interior Minister Enrique Riera emphasized targeting large-scale smuggling operations. […]
Venezuela and Britain seek closer ties amid their gold dispute. Venezuelan Foreign Minister Yván Gil and UK’s Chargé d’Affaires in Venezuela, Colin Dick met in Caracas despite a gold dispute at the Bank of England. Gil said it’s a chance to boost ties with equality and respect on social media. He mentioned the Bolivarian revolution’s […]