(Opinion) Rio de Janeiro has had a bad week and is grappling with a steep increase in murder rates While Brazil’s homicides decreased by 3.4% early this year, Rio saw a disturbing spike of 17.3%. One especially horrifying event was the recent cold-blooded murder of three orthopedic surgeons at a beachside restaurant. This brings into […]
Today, Rio's Governor Claudio Castro announced that Rio is now confronting mafias instead of militias. This came a day after three doctors were killed in Barra da Tijuca. A fourth doctor is in the hospital, seriously injured. Castro stressed the criminals' audacity. They committed the murders in a public, camera-covered area. For him, this proves […]
Russia has lifted its brief diesel export ban and stated that fuel must reach its ports via pipeline for shipping to resume, bringing relief to global markets. Importers worldwide sighed in relief. Russia had nearly stopped all diesel exports on September 21 due to domestic inflation concerns. This pause escalated fuel prices across an already […]
According to the National Institute of Statistics and Geography (INEGI), Mexico’s auto exports reached 301,341 units in September 2023. This is the highest since June 2019, pre-Covid, when 327,454 cars were shipped abroad. September’s numbers show a 16% rise compared to last year’s, says INEGI. Notably, this increase aligns with the onset of labor strikes […]
Safe Supply Streaming, a new startup, recently joined the Canadian Stock Exchange, banking on the future legalization of cocaine. CEO Bill Panagiotakopoulos plans to invest in related businesses. These include fentanyl test makers, addiction clinics, and coca-infused energy drinks. Last Wednesday, the startup’s value stood at about CAD 11.9 million. Moreover, the firm predicts a […]
Emerging market currencies declined on Friday due to a strong U.S. jobs report indicating sustained high global interest rates. Stocks also faltered, while credit risk surged. Latin American currencies, especially the Mexican and Chilean pesos, led the downturn. Poor returns in 18 key emerging currencies were noted. Concerns from North Africa to Latin America fueled […]
Chile is eyeing a top spot in the crucial energy storage sector, an industry that keeps extra energy for future use. This strategy makes energy grids more reliable and efficient. Energy storage plays a key role in managing the ups and downs of solar and wind power. Rich in lithium and with fresh investments, Chile […]
Argentina’s newly launched pipeline has saved $550 million in energy imports in just three months. Opened on July 9, the project links the Vaca Muerta gas field in Neuquén to Salliqueló, Buenos Aires. Quickly, the initiative is paying off. According to Argentina’s Energy Department, a $100 million energy surplus is expected for 2023. This will […]
China's influence is driving significant changes in the copper market, with the International Copper Study Group (ICSG) forecasting a 467,000-metric ton surplus in 2024. That's a jump from a prior 297,000-ton surplus forecast. The deficit for 2023 is now just 27,000 tons, down from 114,000. These changing numbers highlight key trends: falling Western demand and […]
In August, the U.S. set a new monthly record by granting 125,700 visas to Brazilians since tracking began in 2017. According to a study by AG Immigration, this marks an 18.5% increase from July. Compared to last August, it's a 62.3% jump. The U.S. Embassy in Brazil took steps last year to improve service. Since […]
Vice President Geraldo Alckmin, speaking at the Enaex event, asserted that a dollar rate of around R$ 5.10 could give Brazil a competitive advantage. Yesterday, the dollar closed at R$ 5.17. He stressed the importance of boosting productivity and competitiveness. In his view, exchange rates between R$ 5 and R$ 5.10 are ideal. Additionally, he […]
In 2022, the world’s leading shrimp exporter, Ecuador recorded a record $7.28 billion in exports while grappling with escalating crime risks. This sum equals 22% of the nation’s total exports. According to the National Aquaculture Chamber (NAC), two threats plague the sector. First, pirates target shrimp boats in the Gulf of Guayaquil. Second, thefts are […]
Norway’s center-left government proposed a 20% increase in the defense budget for next year, as announced last Friday. The new budget aims for 90.8 billion Norwegian kroner, which translates to just over $8 billion. This represents a 15 billion kroner increase from this year. Notably, this accounts for 1.8% of the nation’s GDP. However, this […]
On October 4, Brazil's Navy initiated a landmark project to build a submarine with nuclear propulsion. The ceremony occurred at the Itaguaí Naval Complex. Attendees included military chiefs, civilians, scholars, and industry experts. Admiral Petronio Augusto Siqueira de Aguiar led the ceremony. He serves as the Director General for Nuclear and Technological Development. This event […]
New data from 1985 to 2022 shows a 50% growth in Brazilian farming. This expansion now covers 10.6% of the country, says a MapBiomas study Initially, it was 22% or 187.3 million hectares. Now, it's one-third of Brazil's national territory at 282.5 million hectares. If correct, this would be larger than all of Argentina (278 […]
The Brazilian judiciary is pressuring former conservative president Jair Bolsonaro and his followers as much as possible, not least to discredit him, his ideas, and his party. However, the Bolsonarist movement remains the most robust popular network in Latin America and likely the most significant in the country's history. That is why, with a year […]
Brazil's National Congress is investigating measures to limit the perceived excessive authority of the Supreme Court (STF). Recently, Senate party leaders met to debate several measures. They discussed setting fixed terms for STF justices and raising the minimum age for new appointees. A proposed "cooling-off" period for some nominees is also on the table. In […]
The Swedish Academy awarded the 2023 Nobel Peace Prize to Narges Mohammadi on Friday for her fight for women’s rights in Iran. Additionally, she’s a human rights advocate. The Nobel Committee highlighted her personal sacrifices. She has faced 13 arrests and multiple convictions in Iran. Currently, she’s serving a 31-year sentence and received 154 lashes. […]
Brazilian Minister Marina Silva revealed that Amazon deforestation may drop by half this September. In August, the rate fell by 48%. She announced this at a sustainability forum. Additionally, Silva discussed climate shifts caused by El Niño and warm Atlantic waters. These changes led to extreme weather, such as intense rain in Rio Grande do […]
In Brazil, nine people were killed in two separate shootings, including three doctors targeted by assailants at a popular beach bar in Rio de Janeiro. The doctors came from São Paulo to attend a medical conference. Another physician got injured and is in the hospital. Police suspect the attackers confused a doctor for a local […]
In Bolivia, a key court hearing got delayed, adding more uncertainty to the nation’s politics. The Constitutional Chamber in Santa Cruz was set to decide on the legality of a recent meeting organized by the Movement Toward Socialism (MAS). This event nominated Evo Morales for the 2025 elections and ousted President Luis Arce from the […]
The Central Bank of Peru announced a reduction in the country’s key interest rate to 7.25%, down by 25 basis points from 7.5% in September. In its October 2023 Monetary Policy Report, the bank clarified that the cut does not signal a trend of ongoing reductions. The decision came after considering multiple factors, including a […]
Recent data shows that 52% of Bolivia’s exports now consist of manufactured goods, indicating a shift in its export profile. This information comes from both the government and the National Statistics Institute INE. In light of strong global demand, experts advise focusing on these products. They believe this will boost Bolivia’s international reserves and job […]
Mexico and the U.S. agreed on Thursday to bolster cooperation in addressing shared security challenges, including drug and arms trafficking. The accord happened during their third annual High-Level Security Dialogue. U.S. Secretary of State Antony Blinken led the American team. In a press conference, he praised the robust ties between the nations. Yet, he highlighted […]
Boca Juniors clinched a 4-2 penalty shootout victory over Palmeiras at São Paulo’s Allianz Parque. Both teams ended regulation time with a 1-1 draw. Uruguayan Edinson Cavani scored for Boca in the 23rd minute. However, Joaquín Piquerez leveled the score in the 77th minute with a long-range shot. Boca’s goalie, Sergio Romero, shined in the […]